Minnesota’s Transition to Zero Waste
Zero Waste is a movement to dismantle the systems that perpetuate our “throw-away culture” — resource extraction, excessive production and consumption, and discarding of trash to be burned and buried in overburdened communities. A zero waste future means we are reducing waste at the source, redesigning systems to support reuse, conserving resources and promoting sustainability within our communities. Transitioning to zero waste will not happen overnight but it is possible. It will require significant sustained investments in proven solutions and engagement across our community.
Our 2027 Priorities
Food Rescue & Food Waste Diversion: Wasted food is a major climate and resource problem in Minnesota. When food is thrown away and sent to a landfill, it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Many Minnesota communities and organizations already prevent food waste, donate surplus food, or compost food scraps. A comprehensive statewide policy would reduce wasted food, strengthen food rescue, expand access to organics diversion, build needed infrastructure, reduce emissions, and align Minnesota with its waste reduction goals.
Reducing Single Use Plastics: Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution and climate emissions. Most are not designed to be recycled and end up in landfills, incinerators, the environment, and even our bodies. The State should lead on reducing unnecessary single-use plastics by:
Phase Out Single Use Toiletries: Phasing in a ban on hotels and fitness clubs providing personal care products in small plastic containers or wrapping.
Reduce Single Use Plastics Through State Purchasing: Prohibiting Minnesota state agencies from purchasing unnecessary single use plastic foodware and bottles under 21 fl. oz.
Restore Local Authority on Plastic Bags: Repealing Minnesota’s preemption of local plastic bag policies and restoring the authority of cities to act on plastic pollution.
Toxics in Packaging: Phthalates, a class of toxic chemicals used in plastic, are showing up in packaged food. Phthalates are hormone disruptors linked to health concerns such as reproductive problems, birth defects, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Test and Report legislation would require food manufacturers to test packaged food for phthalates and make the results public.
Electronic Waste and Battery Stewardship: Electronic waste is a growing problem, currently making up 70% of lead pollution from our landfills. Loose batteries in particular pose serious safety and environmental risk when improperly disposed of, such as fires and a decrease in worker safety. A comprehensive statewide battery stewardship program would provide convenient and free collection, improve safety standards, and ensure responsible recycling - shifting the costs from taxpayers to producers. It is an important step towards a broader statewide electronics recycling program.
Waste Incinerator Accountability: The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) and other waste incineration facilities are major sources of air pollution and environmental injustice in Minnesota. Current monitoring practices underestimate harmful emissions because testing occurs infrequently and under ideal conditions, missing pollution spikes during startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions. Legislation should require continuous monitoring of key pollutants, adopt stronger modern pollution limits, and reduce the amount of waste burned each year to protect public health and support Minnesota’s transition to zero waste.
Landfill Standards: Landfills are a major source of pollution and climate emissions in Minnesota. While reducing what makes it to a landfill is the priority, Minnesota must set stronger regulations, monitoring, and enforcement for existing landfills to protect public health and environmental justice communities.
Fighting Against False Solutions and Protecting Wins: As we work to build a zero waste future, there will be voices pushing false solutions. False solutions refer to approaches or practices that claim to address or mitigate waste-related issues but, in reality, fail to effectively address the root causes or may even exacerbate the problem. Some examples of false solutions to waste include chemical or advanced “recycling,” incineration, and carbon capture utilization and storage. We must vigorously and powerfully defend the wins that are already moving Minnesota toward a just future, such as Extended Producer Responsibility.