Landfills/Dumps

Minnesota disposes of some if its waste or garbage in landfills, which may be called "dumps" by some. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) distinguishes between landfills and dumps by regulating the ongoing operations of open landfills and the closure and maintenance of closed landfills. However, the MPCA does not permit or regulate the use of dumps. See the information and links below to learn more about landfills in Minnesota.

Open Landfills

Open landfills are regulated by MN Rules 7001 and 7035. They actively accept, under the terms and conditions of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) permit, certain types of wastes for disposal. They are part of a larger and integrated collection of open solid waste management facilities that process, transfer and receive waste for disposal in Minnesota.

Open landfills fall into several categories, which include: demolition, industrial, mixed municipal and municipal waste combustor ash.

More information about open landfills in Minnesota is available from the link below. The term "dumps" is also used sometimes by the public to refer to landfills. If you're looking for information about dumps, you may find it under open landfills.

• Minnesota Landfills Accepting Mixed Municipal Solid Waste

Closed Landfill Program

The MPCA Closed Landfill Program (CLP) was created in 1994 by the passage of the Landfill Cleanup Act (LCA) as an alternative to the Superfund Program, which remediated qualified closed landfills throughout Minnesota.

The MPCA is authorized and mandated under the LCA to initiate cleanup actions, complete closures, take over long-term operation and maintenance, and reimburse eligible parties for past cleanup costs at up to 112 qualified closed state-permitted landfills throughout Minnesota. More information is available from the link below.

• Closed Landfill Program

Dumps

"Dump" is a common term used by the public that could mean a landfill in either the MPCA Open Landfill or Closed Landfill Programs, or a landfill in neither program. The MPCA defines "dumps" as those landfills that never held a valid permit from the MPCA. Generally, dumps existed prior to the permitting program established with the creation of the MPCA in 1967. Dumps are not restricted to any type of waste. For more information about "dumps" is available from the link below.

• Dump Assessment Study

If you do not find the information that you're looking for with either of these two links, see the Open Landfill Program or the Closed Landfill Program pages.