Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2010-2030

• Metropolitan Policy Plan (w-sw7-21)
• Findings of Fact (w-sw7-21c)
• MPCA Response to Public Comments on Plan (w-sw7-21b)

The Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan establishes the plan for managing the Metropolitan Area’s solid waste through 2030. The policy plan was prepared with input from state agencies, county staff, and a variety of stakeholders: representatives of the waste industry, environmental groups, businesses, and citizens.

Despite the many benefits provided by the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area’s solid waste management system, significant challenges lie ahead.

Over the last 10 years, municipal solid waste generation in the Twin Cities metropolitan area grew by 8 percent and recycling has not increased enough to keep up with generation.  In addition, the use of resource recovery capacity declined by 15 percent while land disposal increased by 15 percent.  Further, many materials that are discarded as waste contain toxic components that threaten public health and the environment.  If the region is to move beyond these trends, fundamental change is necessary.  Accountability and effective tools for all parties must assist stakeholders in reaching state goals and objectives, and the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan provides a framework for this change.

The Policy Plan was adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on April 6, 2011, and differs from the previous plan in that it calls for accountability on the part of all stakeholders and contains specific numerical objectives against which to benchmark progress.

Metro county solid waste plans

Once adopted, the Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan sets in motion the process for counties to develop the more detailed County Master Plans.  These plans address the specific projects and programs to be implemented within the counties to meet the goals, policies, and objectives of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan.   Any solid waste activity within the metropolitan area must be consistent with the Policy Plan and the County Master Plans.  The County Master Plans are due to the MPCA for approval by the end of December 2011 and will be posted on this page once they are approved by the MPCA Commissioner.

This plan replaces the one adopted in 2004: Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan: 2004-2023.