Landfills and 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.

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. See the links below for information about open landfills in Minnesota.

• Minnesota solid waste rules
• Solid waste publications
• Minnesota landfills that accept mixed municipal solid waste (w-sw6-04)

Mixed municipal solid waste means garbage, refuse, and other solid waste from residential, commercial, industrial, and community activities. It does not include auto hulks, street sweepings, ash, construction debris, mining waste, sludges, tree and agricultural wastes, tires, lead acid batteries, motor and vehicle fluids and filters, and other materials collected, processed, and disposed of as separate waste streams.

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. For more information visit the 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.

Minnesota has about 1,800 old dumps (unpermitted mixed municipal solid waste sites). Prior to 1967,  people disposed of garbage by dumping it in pits, ravines or wetlands. The MPCA conducted a Dump Assessment Study to get a better understanding of the environmental and economic impacts of old dumps.