Summary of the key findings from the final comment period

The county gathered public comments on the draft Solid Waste Management Plan from August 13 to September 4, 2024, through an online written comment form. The county received 86 comments. The following are key findings:

Go further and act faster

Most of the comments on zero-waste actions recommend programs, policies, and strategies that the county is already implementing, illustrating gaps in awareness, accessibility, and reach of the county’s education, grants, and programs. Many comments reflect a desire for existing initiatives to be expanded, improved, or made more accessible. In general, the feedback said the county should go further and faster on the path to zero waste.

More specifically:

• Prioritize plastics more. Commenters supported the ban on single-use plastics, plastic bag bans, other plastic prevention strategies and ensure proper recycling.
• Increase reuse by establishing more drop-off locations, requiring the use of reusable serviceware for on-site dining, and offering tax incentives to resellers.
• Reduce food waste by educating and assisting consumers, addressing food insecurity, and expanding composting.
• Provide more support and resources for multifamily properties to make recycling, organics recycling, and other waste services more equitable.
• Organize organics recycling so that cities managed the service. Offer other financial incentives to make organics service more efficient and cost effective for residents.
• Reduce waste in school cafeterias and improve waste sorting practices in multifamily, businesses and retail locations.
• Promote and provide more drop-off options for items that could be reused, refurbished, and recycled, such as batteries, household furnishings, electronics, and other hard-to-recycle items.
• Improve data collection, increase compliance with hauler reporting, and share data with partners.

Strategies that received mixed reactions

• Mandates and requirements: Residents that seek to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) expressed strong support for requirements and mandates to accelerate progress. Cities urge caution and a deliberative process for requirements and other policy mandates. Other commenters suggest centering equity to ensure required fees or mandates do not overly burden residents with lower incomes.
• Recycling recovery facility: Some residents are concerned that people will no longer recycle if they know trash is being sorted. Environmental advocates suggest requesting state funding for other zero-waste infrastructure, saying mixed-waste processing does not result in materials that are high enough quality to build circular supply chains.

HERC and its role in the solid waste system

The majority of the feedback focused on HERC. Many respondents rejected the zero-waste dashboard as criteria to meet to responsibly close HERC. These respondents said the plan was deficient because it does not include an immediate or specific date for the closure of HERC. Conversely, some respondents expressed their support for use of HERC to avoid landfilling.

Review all of the comments

For additional information on the feedback received, review the verbatim comments (PDF)(External link)