Lakeville Is Getting Its Own Recycling Zone Plus
Update, Sept. 20, 2026: The building is going up. Dakota County told the Lakeville Planning Commission on Sept. 17 that the walls are up and the roof is on, and the site is still tracking toward a spring 2027 opening. Scroll to "Where it stands now" for the latest, including what the Reuse Zone will hand out for free.
If you've ever held onto a can of old paint or a box of dead batteries because the nearest drop-off felt too far away, this one's for you.
Dakota and Scott Counties are teaming up to build a new facility in Lakeville called the Recycling Zone Plus. And it's already being built.
What It Is
The Recycling Zone Plus is a drop-off site for household hazardous waste and recycling. It's going in at 10125 217th Street W.
The idea is simple: give South Metro residents a closer, easier place to safely get rid of the stuff you can't just toss in your regular bin, like paint, chemicals, electronics and batteries.
Right now, the main Recycling Zone is up in Eagan. This new Lakeville location adds a second spot on the south end of the county. The county says the Eagan site stays open after Lakeville opens.
The new building is about twice the size of the Eagan facility. It's built to serve Lakeville, Farmington, Burnsville, Empire, the surrounding townships and eastern Scott County. The county says use of the Eagan site has climbed about 33% over the past decade.
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Where It Stands Now
Dakota County's Joe Lexa gave the Lakeville Planning Commission an update on Sept. 17: the walls are up and the roof is on, and the county expects to finish in spring 2027.
He was there for a small piece of housekeeping. City rules allow one freestanding sign on a property like this, and the county asked for two. The site has two separate driveways that do two different things.
- East driveway: where you pull in to drop off recycling and hazardous waste.
- West driveway: the Reuse Zone, the parking lot and education classes.
A sign at each one should keep people from pulling into the wrong entrance. The planning commission recommended approval with no votes against, and no one spoke at the public hearing. The Lakeville City Council takes it up Oct. 5.
The Reuse Zone Is the Part People Will Talk About
Eagan's Recycling Zone already has one, and Lakeville's will work the same way. The Reuse Zone is a room where you can pick up free usable products other people dropped off. Think leftover paint and stain, cleaners and automotive products. Lexa mentioned WD-40 and carburetor cleaner, and said bicycles may show up there too.
"We are providing safe, convenient, and efficient drop-off for household hazardous waste, as well as a Reuse Zone for people to pick up items they can use at home," Dakota County Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg said at the groundbreaking.
What You'll Be Able to Drop Off
The county says the new site will take what the Eagan location takes, including:
- Household chemicals and hazardous waste
- Electronics
- Recyclables
- Scrap metal
- Tires
The county has also floated adding items like appliances and mattresses down the road, and it surveyed residents about hours, accepted materials and events at the new site. The full accepted-items list and hours come closer to opening.
What It Costs and Who's Paying
Local coverage of the groundbreaking put the project at about $21.6 million: roughly $8 million from the state, $500,000 federal, $9.7 million from Dakota County and $3.4 million from Scott County. The county says construction is covered by state and federal grants, Dakota County landfill fees and Scott County's share.
Translation for your household: this isn't coming out of your Lakeville city taxes. Fees and rules at the gate are set by the county.
Why It Matters for You
This is one of those projects that quietly makes daily life easier. Instead of hauling hazardous waste across the county, you'll have a spot much closer to home.
It's also just good for the community. Safe disposal keeps this stuff out of storm drains, landfills and your garage. For a growing city like Lakeville, having its own drop-off site is a real perk.
The Bottom Line
The Recycling Zone Plus is approved, under construction and on track to open in spring 2027. Watch for hours and the full accepted-items list from the county on its Recycling Zone Plus page. We'll flag the opening date the moment it lands, and you can follow the rest of our Lakeville coverage here.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said the Eagan Recycling Zone doesn't have a Reuse Zone. It does.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Lakeville Recycling Zone Plus open?
Spring 2027. As of Sept. 17, 2026, the walls are up and the roof is on, and Dakota County says it is on schedule.
Where is it?
10125 217th Street W in Lakeville, in the industrial area on the south side of town. There are two driveways: the east one for drop-off, the west one for the Reuse Zone, parking and classes.
What can I drop off there?
Household chemicals and hazardous waste, electronics, recyclables, scrap metal and tires. The county has floated adding things like appliances and mattresses later, and will post the full list closer to opening.
What is the Reuse Zone?
A room where you can pick up free usable products other people dropped off, like leftover paint and stain, cleaners and automotive products. The Eagan Recycling Zone has one too.
Will the Eagan Recycling Zone close?
No. Dakota County says the Eagan site stays open after the Lakeville facility opens.
Who is paying for it?
Local coverage of the groundbreaking put the project at about $21.6 million: roughly $8 million from the state, $500,000 federal, $9.7 million from Dakota County and $3.4 million from Scott County. It is not funded by Lakeville city taxes.
