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 2026 Legislative Priorities

Food Rescue & Organics 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 spur broader action, build composting systems, support food rescue, reduce emissions, and align Minnesota with its waste reduction goals, including MPCA’s goal to halve food waste by 2030.

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.

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 and certain cancers. SF 188 / HF44 requires food manufacturers  to test packaged food for phthalates and make the results public.

Reducing Single-Use Plastics: Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution and climate emissions. In the United States, we throw away 30 million tons of plastic each year. With few single-use plastics designed for recyclability, most end up in landfills, incinerators, our environment and even in our bodies. HF 3620 / SF 3941 would prohibit Minnesota state agencies from purchasing unnecessary single use plastic food ware and bottles under 21 fl. oz. HF 2621 / SF 3942 would phase in a ban for hotels and fitness clubs providing personal care products in small plastic containers or wrapping. This work also includes restoring local authority to cities to address the plastic bag crisis.

Right to Repair: Repair is one of the most powerful tools to reduce waste at the source. HF 970 / SF 2030 expands Minnesota’s Right to Repair law to include farm equipment, ensuring that farmers and independent repair providers have access to the parts, tools, software, and documentation needed to diagnose and fix their equipment. It requires manufacturers to provide this information on fair and reasonable terms and prohibits the use of software locks or parts pairing to block lawful repairs.

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. At the same time we must vigorously and powerfully defend the wins that are already moving Minnesota toward a just future, such as Extended Producer Responsibility.