Walter's Recycling & Refuse Inc. (Corporate Office)

Small-ish recycling center with a corporate office on site, used mostly by Blaine residents and local handymen dropping off household recyclables. It handles the usual curbside-type materials and occasionally runs special drop-off programs during the year. Winters in Minnesota mean parts of the site can be indoors or sheltered for cold days.

Drive up to a manned entrance booth and slow down; there’s usually a short lane to pull into before getting to the bins. The recycling areas are grouped together so cardboard, paper, plastics and metal containers are easy to find, and there’s often a separate spot for glass. A scale is typically on the property, so vehicles may need to stop more than once and wait briefly; larger weekend traffic and seasonal cleanups can create lines. The site is mostly paved with clear signage and piles or bins of sorted material, and sheltered drop-off areas make winter visits less miserable.