Cottonwood County Sanitary Landfill

A working county landfill on the west side of Windom where residents and haulers bring trash to be buried. It’s the kind of place that handles household cleanouts and commercial loads alike, not a recycling center but the final stop for trash. Locals use it for bigger jobs that don’t fit in the curbside bin.

Drive up to a scale and a small intake booth; loads are weighed and tipping fees are charged by weight, so there’s usually a second stop on the way out. Pull up to the booth, get directed by the attendant, then head to the active cell or unloading area - it’s mostly open dirt, gravel and exposed slopes. Recycling and drop-off bins are typically clustered near the entrance road, with traffic flow that sends trucks past the scale twice. In winter the site looks bleak and icy; many Minnesota facilities have provisions for cold weather, so be ready for a chilly walk between vehicle and any covered drop-off spots.