Reminder #1: Compost is no longer collected curbside
In July 2018, the City of West Fargo had to cease collecting compost materials, which include grass, leaves, garden waste or other lawn materials, curbside due to new state regulations that limit the amount of compost that go in the City of Fargo’s landfill (where West Fargo trash is delivered). Halloween pumpkins also count as yard waste and must go to the compost drop-off locations.
These materials can go to any of the four compost collection sites in West Fargo. They are located at the Department of Sanitation (117 Eighth St. W.,), West Fargo Legion Field (501 13th Ave. W.), Eagle Run Water Tower (40th Avenue S. and Sheyenne Street), and 17th Street E. between Starr Avenue and Second Avenue. Each of the sites has large roll-off dumpsters with easy access ramps to assist residents in dumping their compost materials. Please note, garbage bags or other materials holding the compost material cannot go into these dumpsters.
Reminder #2 – Avoid recycling contamination
Did you know that 25 percent of materials placed in recycling containers are not recyclable? Did you also know that this recycling contamination ruins otherwise good recyclable materials? For example, leftover cheese, sauce and pepperoni stuck in a pizza box makes the box no longer recyclable and risks contaminating the rest of the recycling in the container. A wrong item in the recycling bin is preventing thousands of tons of recyclables from getting recycled.
Reminder #3 - Household hazardous waste have to go to Fargo’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
There are many items you may use around your house that can only go to Fargo’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility (606 43 ½ St. N., Fargo) for disposal. These items include paints, thinners, stains and varnish; drain and oven cleaner; fertilizer and weed/insect cleaners; automotive fluids; poisons; older fluorescent ballasts; aerosol cans with contents remaining; computers, monitors, printers, cellular phones and televisions; mercury thermostat; oil filters and any mercury-containing device.
Ensure these materials are labeled clearly and take them to Fargo’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. It is free of charge and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every second Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. For questions about their facility, you may contact them at 701-281- 8915
Reminder #4 – Utilize the Transfer Station for disposing inert products.
The Transfer Station (located at 1620 W. Main Ave.) is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday (for the public only). The Transfer Station will accept inert product such as building materials, wood, sheetrock, furniture, metals and tires in limited quantities. You may also bring appliances to the Transfer Station for a $10 charge. The Transfer Station does not accept household hazardous waste, paint, stain, oil and chemicals. The station also has a dumpster for regular garbage. A Department of Sanitation attendant is on duty to assist. Please call 701-433-5455 with any questions about the Transfer Station.
Reminder #5 – Sign up for the City of West Fargo’s Sanitation and Recycling alerts.
The City of West Fargo’s Sanitation and Recycling website (https://westfargond.gov/288/Sanitation-Recycling) provides the opportunity for residents to sign up for email or text message alerts. These alerts allow residents to stay updated on seasonal changes to the sanitation department’s program, schedule changes due to holidays and policy and procedural changes as the program develops and responds to local, state, federal and international regulations.