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A waste is any material that can no longer be used for its original intended purpose. The type of waste generated can include recyclables, solid waste, and hazardous wastes, which may be subject to specific management and disposal requirements. 

Solid waste and recycling 

Waste haulers and landfills decide what you can put in your dumpster. MPCA regulates the haulers, landfills, and other solid waste disposal facilities. 

Many businesses is in the Twin Cities metro are required to recycle at least three materials. However, regardless of where your business is located, you can save money by recycling. Recycling isn’t taxed, but your trash bill is! Consider recycling items that are often thrown away, such as wooden pallets or plastic packaging strapping, giving away reusable items to reduce your solid waste bill, or implement a composting program to recycle food or organic waste.

Burning garbage is illegal in Minnesota, for all businesses and households.

Hazardous waste

You must assume that any waste your business generates, that could reasonably be a hazardous waste, is hazardous unless you document that the waste is exempt or non-hazardous. The hazardous waste identification and management page contains information on evaluating waste and managing specific types of hazardous waste.

Generators

A business producing any amount of hazardous waste is regulated as a hazardous waste "generator." The regulated status of a hazardous waste generator site, commonly known as the generator size, is determined by the volume of hazardous waste generated at the site each calendar month.

All generators require a hazardous waste identification number which identifies both the physical site at which hazardous waste is handled and the operator of that site. Obtaining a hazardous waste ID is free. 

If you produce only small amounts of hazardous waste, you probably qualify as a very small quality generator.

License, reports, and fees

Businesses generating most types of hazardous waste are required to report annually, pay a fee, and obtain a license for the subsequent year. 

If located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County the business is licensed and inspected by the county. The county charges a generator fee. 

A business located in greater Minnesota is licensed and inspected by the MPCA and report the types and amounts of hazardous waste generated by submitting a hazardous waste license application using MPCA e-Services.

If you are required to pay a fee, you will be sent an invoice after you submit your license application. For those in the metro area, the MPCA invoice is in addition to the county generator fee. About two weeks after paying the fee, your license will be available through the license search tool.

Print and post the license in a public area. MiniQGs licensed by the MPCA do not have a license to print or post but must complete a hazardous waste license application every three years. 

TIP: Minimize waste and use non-hazardous alternatives when you can; smaller volumes of waste are charged smaller license fees.

Requirements and due dates

  • Hazardous waste generators fee: mailed to license holders in first quarter, due date on invoice.
  • License application: due August 15 for Greater Minnesota businesses; Twin Cities metro businesses: contact your county.

Training

Annual hazardous waste training is required businesses that generate 220 pounds or more of hazardous waste a month and is recommended for very small quantity generators (less than 220 pounds a month). Free training is available from the MPCA and some metro-area counties:

•    MPCA hazardous waste training (open to all Minnesota businesses)
•    Dakota County training (open to all Minnesota businesses)
•    Hennepin County online training (open to all Minnesota businesses)
•    Ramsey County training
•    Washington County training

FAQs

Q: What to do if I sell, close, or move the business?

A: HWIDs identify both a physical location where hazardous waste is generated or handled and the operator of that site. When the business sells, closes, or moves, the business will need to submit an inactivation notification for the original site to the MPCA using the e-Services Notification of Regulated Waste Activity tool (see instructions below). If moving, obtain a HWID for the new site by submitting an initial notification to the MPCA using e-Services.  

Q: What if the amount of waste generated increases for a month?

A: The site must comply with all requirements of the new generator size for the month of generation. For example, a VSQG will automatically become a SQG for the month of over-generation, as long as the amount does not exceed SQG limits. After the single month as an SQG, you will automatically return to a VSQG, if regulated by MPCA. If in a metro county, check with the county to see if you need to notify them of size change. 

A generator may be charged according to their waste amount and may see an increase in their fee, even if their (normal/overall) generator size doesn't change.

Q: What if I only need to dispose of hazardous temporarily? 

A: You may be considered a one-time generator of hazardous waste. See page 2 in the document below under “What is my generator size”.