Olmsted County adopts updates to Chapter 3,500 to clarify cannabis waste, fees and recycling requirements

Olmsted County commissioners voted to adopt changes to Chapter 3,500 of the county code that add state-required cannabis waste-disposal language, revise tipping fees and clarify recycling and licensing requirements. The vote followed a public hearing held as part of the board's regular meeting.

Alex Kremenga, Olmsted County environmental resources solid waste assurance coordinator, told the board the update includes a state-mandated section on cannabis disposal, increases to tipping fees (including demolition-related charges), and clearer definitions of "generator" and person that are intended to reduce ambiguity for enforcement. "The cannabis section is required by, under the state that we have to have some form of solid waste assurance in regards to cannabis disposal," Kremenga said.

Kremenga also described new recycling-education obligations for Class A haulers so customers receive consistent information about what the county accepts, and he outlined retailer responsibilities for the return and safe handling of battery-powered devices used with cannabis and vaping products. "Retailers must accept and manage return of battery powered devices," he said, adding that the draft ordinance provides record-keeping and fire-safety guidance for handling these batteries.

A teacher, Laura Meyer, urged the county to consider funding or outreach to boost recycling in schools during public comment. "I was actually appalled this last year because it was absolutely zero attempt to do any recycling at our school," Meyer said, asking whether school recycling could be supported.

After public testimony the board closed the hearing, a motion to adopt the ordinance changes was moved and seconded, and the chair announced the motion 'carries.' The adoption places the updated rules into the county code; the record in the meeting does not provide a roll-call vote or a detailed tally by member.

The ordinance package also establishes a tiered structure of administrative penalties, updates Class E licensing dates to run Jan. 1–Dec. 31, and adjusts fees for county facilities including the recycling center, landfill and hazardous-waste facility. Officials said the changes are intended both to comply with state statute and to give clearer operational guidance to haulers and retailers.

The board did not identify a specific effective date during the meeting; staff indicated licensing and record-keeping expectations will be implemented through existing licensing processes and coordination with the health department for oversight of retailer licensing.