Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, call our office at (218) 568-4630 Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–4:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am–3:00 pm.
What day is my garbage pickup?
Pickup days vary by address and community. Call our office at (218) 568-4630 and we’ll look up your scheduled day. As a general rule: set your cart out the night before your pickup day so it’s ready when the truck comes through early in the morning.
Do you offer seasonal or cabin service?
Yes — this is one of our most popular options for Brainerd Lakes area residents who don’t live here year-round. You can set a specific start date and end date for your service. We’ll deliver your cart at the start of your season and pick it up at the end. Use the service request form on our Services page or call (218) 568-4630 to get set up.
What size garbage cart do I need?
- 65-gallon cart — holds approximately 5–6 standard 13-gallon kitchen bags. Ideal for households of 3–4 people or light seasonal use.
- 95-gallon cart — holds approximately 8–9 bags. Better suited for households of 5 or more, or heavy users.
Not sure? Start with the 65-gallon. We can swap cart sizes if your needs change.
What items cannot go in my garbage cart?
We cannot accept the following items mixed in with regular solid waste. These must be taken directly to an appropriate disposal facility:
Dirt · Tires · Batteries · Wet paint cans · Stain or varnish cans · Motor oil · Oil filters · Yard waste · Ashes · Hazardous chemicals · Fluorescent bulbs · Cement · Automobile parts · Heavy steel · TVs · Computers · Electronics of any type · Mattresses
For local disposal options, contact the Crow Wing County Landfill at (218) 824-1290 or Cass County at (218) 587-3455.
What is the prepaid tag system?
The prepaid tag system is perfect if you need pickup service but don’t want to commit to weekly billing — common for cabin owners and seasonal residents. Tags are available in bundles of six or more, and the cost per tag depends on your cart size.
How to use a tag: Tie it to the top bag in your cart so it hangs visibly out from under the lid. The driver will see it and empty the cart without needing to get out of the truck. If there is no tag visible when the driver arrives, you will be charged for an untagged pickup.
What cities do you serve?
We serve a wide area across Crow Wing and Cass counties, including: Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Cross Lake, East Gull Lake, Emily, Fifty Lakes, Gull Lake, Ideal Corners, Jenkins, Lakeshore, Manhattan Beach, Merrifield, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Pine River.
Not sure if we cover your address? Call us at (218) 568-4630 — we’re happy to check.
How do I start new garbage service?
We serve a wide area across Crow Wing and Cass counties, including: Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Cross Lake, East Gull Lake, Emily, Fifty Lakes, Gull Lake, Ideal Corners, Jenkins, Lakeshore, Manhattan Beach, Merrifield, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Pine River.
Not sure if we cover your address? Call us at (218) 568-4630 — we’re happy to check.
Do I need to bag my garbage?
Yes — please bag all residential garbage before placing it in the cart. Bags keep the cart clean, reduce odors, and make pickup more efficient.
Do you offer curbside recycling?
Yes. Single-sort curbside recycling is available in Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Cross Lake, Nisswa, Brainerd, and Baxter. We provide a 65-gallon recycling cart, and you can combine all your accepted recyclables into one bin — no sorting required. Visit our Recycling page for the complete list of what’s accepted and how to prepare your materials.
How do I rent a roll-off dumpster?
Call (218) 568-4630 to check availability and schedule your delivery. We offer 10 and 15-yard roll-off containers for spring and fall cleanouts, moves, remodels, and new construction. We’ll drop it at your property, you fill it at your own pace, and we’ll haul it away when you’re done.
What is the solid waste municipal tax?
The solid waste municipal tax is a state-mandated fee applied to all sanitation service in Minnesota. The current rate is 9.75% for residential service and 17% for commercial service. This tax is collected by Pequot Lakes Sanitation and remitted to the state.
Still have questions?
Call us at (218) 568-4630 or send us an email at info@lakestrash.com. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–4:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am–3:00 pm.