Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2010-2030

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.

This policy plan was adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on April 6, 2011.

• Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan 2010-2030: Fact sheet (w-sw7-21e)
• Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2010-2030 (w-sw7-21)
  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.
• Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan 2010-2030: Findings of Fact (w-sw7-21c)
• Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan 2010-2030: MPCA Responses to Public Comments on the Draft (w-sw7-21b)
  A summary of substantive comments made on the draft Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan 2010-2030, and MPCA responses. References to the draft that was on Public Notice from September 13 through November 15, 2010.

Garbage day

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

• During 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.
• The use of resource recovery capacity declined by 15 percent while land disposal increased by 15 percent.
• 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 with 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 were approved by the MPCA in May 2012:

• Anoka County Solid Waste Management Master Plan
• Carver County Solid Waste Master Plan
• Dakota County Solid Waste Master Plan
• Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Master Plan
• Ramsey County Solid Waste Master Plan
• Scott County Solid Waste Management Master Plan
• Washington County Waste Management Master Plan

Reports

Following the adoption of the 2010-2030 Metropolitan Policy Plan, the MPCA announced its intention to implement its plan for enforcement of the metropolitan waste disposal restriction (Minn. Stat. § 473.848).  Recent legislation (Laws of Minnesota 2012, chapter 272, section 93) required the MPCA to delay enforcement of the restriction on disposal until February 15, 2013, and that the MPCA prepare a report by October 1, 2012, that outlines how the state could achieve compliance with restriction on disposal.  As directed, the MPCA prepared the final report after it allowed interested parties 30 days to review and comment on the report.  The report was submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over environmental policy and finance.   Included in the report are the written comments received from interested parties and the MPCA’s responses to those comments. 

Previous policy plan

This plan replaces the one adopted in 2004.