Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Kayla Job, 651-757-2468 mailto:kayla.job@pca.state.mn.us Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 St. Paul, Minn. - Representatives from environmental groups, waste haulers, recyclers, utilities and state and local governments in Minnesota are working to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through waste management methods. As identified by the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG), waste management can have significant impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. "Front-end" waste management methods, which include waste reduction, recycling and composting, were ranked third by the MCCAG in a list of 31 policy recommendations for potential reduction of greenhouse gases. These methods reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by eliminating the need to extract and transport virgin materials, reducing energy consumption needed in manufacturing, conserving natural resources like trees that absorb carbon dioxide, and reducing the amount of material going to landfills, which generate greenhouse gases as material in them break down. As an example, current recycling in Minnesota each year results in the reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions of 1.5 million tons - equivalent to taking more than one million cars off the road. In response to the counsel from the MCCAG, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) began a stakeholder process to develop the elements of an implementation plan to reach the MCCAG goals, initially focusing on the densely populated areas of Minnesota where most of the waste is generated. The process started in December 2008 and will consist of approximately seven monthly meetings of a diverse 18-member work group, facilitated by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI). The process is expected to be completed in June 2009, with a report to the MPCA Commissioner. The MPCA will consider the recommendations from the group as it determines priorities for technical and financial assistance, implements and develops programs and develops new ones, modifies rules and proposes legislative changes. For more information about MPCA's stakeholder process, visit the MEI Web site at or call the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864. TDD users can call either 651-282-5332 or the toll-free number for assistance.