Hennepin County reaffirms 'zero waste' commitment after MPCA briefing; countywide incinerator debate returns

Hennepin County commissioners voted Feb. 5 to reaffirm the county’s commitment to a 0‑waste future after a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency briefing that highlighted state grants, extended-producer‑responsibility work and opportunities for organics and market development.

Kurt Koudelka of the MPCA opened the discussion by praising Hennepin County’s leadership and describing state funding and program priorities, including recent and ongoing grants for organics management and food‑waste prevention. "As we put together the metropolitan solid waste plan... Hennepin County was the leader," Koudelka told the board.

The county debate turned to the future of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) and whether incineration should end before replacement disposal capacity is secured. Commissioner Jerry Fernando, who offered the reaffirmation resolution, said the county’s plan contemplates a responsible closure or conversion window between 2028 and 2040 and urged partnership with cities and the state for an operational plan for where waste would go. "Limiting landfilling is necessary alongside significant expanding and funding of 0 waste efforts in order to achieve the end of burning at the HERC responsibly," Fernando said.

Commissioners pressed the MPCA on landfill capacity. Koudelka cautioned that capacity varies by landfill and warned that "the closure of a waste energy facility like Kirk would mean we would need... a new landfill to be the second largest in the state or be divided up other places," highlighting the operational and equity tradeoffs that any closure would create.

Opponents of an immediate shutdown warned of operational gaps and potential public‑health impacts without a concrete alternative for disposal. Commissioner Edelson said her district would not support closing HERC until a plan is in place to handle the trash, calling a sudden shutdown a potential public‑health crisis for certain services and populations.

In addition to the resolution, the board approved routine public‑works items and awarded nine Environmental Response Fund grants totaling just over $2.2 million to support brownfield cleanup and housing and community projects. Mary Finch, supervisor of the county’s contaminated‑lands unit, said the ERF round supports projects that include 180 units of affordable housing in St. Louis Park and other community assets.

What happens next: The resolution affirms the county’s policy direction and keeps staff working with state and city partners to develop operational plans, disposal alternatives, and the funding strategy required to move toward reduced incineration and greater waste diversion.

Sources: MPCA presentation by Kurt Koudelka; Hennepin County board discussion and resolution (Feb. 5, 2026).