The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released a draft of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan 2022-2042 this week. This comprehensive 20-year plan presents 70 recommendations aimed at addressing the escalating waste management concerns in the metropolitan area, which includes seven counties. By implementing these strategies, the MPCA endeavors to curtail waste generation and improve waste management practices across the region. The proposals in the Metro Policy Plan (MPP) include strategies like establishing weekly curbside trash, recycling, and compost pickup services; imposing fees on takeout containers; and offering grants to businesses for reducing food waste.
"This MPP establishes the framework for managing the Twin Cities Metro Area's (TCMA) solid waste for the next 20 years (2023-2043). It will guide the development and activities of solid waste management and must be followed by the counties in the TCMA. In addition to the counties, the MPCA, solid waste facilities, haulers, businesses, and residents all have a role in implementing the MPP. The MPP supports the goals of the WMA (Waste Management Act, Minn. Stat. § 115A) hierarchy; improving public health; reducing the reliance on landfills; conserving energy and natural resources; and reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."
The Twin Cities region has been grappling with a mounting waste predicament, witnessing a steady increase in waste produced each year. In 2021 alone, the area generated a staggering 3.3 million tons of waste, and this figure is projected to surge by 19% by 2042. Statistics indicate that in recent years, the recycling rates have stagnated at roughly 45%, significantly falling short of the state's target of achieving a 75% recycling rate by 2030. Some counties have even observed a decline in their recycling rates, exacerbating the challenge.
Kirk Koudelka, the assistant commissioner for land policy and strategic initiatives at the MPCA, emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing waste reduction, recycling, and composting goals to safeguard the region's air, land, and water. “These goals are ambitious,” he commented in the announcement from the MPCA. “Meeting them will require deep collaboration between local governments, individuals, and businesses. I encourage metro residents to review the recommendations included in this plan and share their perspectives.”
Some key recommendations featured in the 20-year plan include the implementation of weekly recycling collection across all seven metro counties by 2025; a simultaneous collection of recyclables, organics, and trash on the same day; and the introduction of residential curbside composting collection services in cities with a population exceeding 5,000.
The draft of the plan also recommends awarding grants to businesses and organizations for acquiring software to monitor food waste, as well as adopting an ordinance incorporating a mandatory consumer charge for things like single-use takeout cups and containers.
It is worth noting that over two-thirds of the annual waste has the potential to be recycled or reused instead. Unfortunately, the disposal of such materials in landfills leads to the release of harmful pollutants into the air, land, and water. The Metropolitan Solid Waste Policy Plan aims to combat these detrimental effects by offering both short-term and long-term solutions to the waste management challenges faced by the metro area.
Members of the public are strongly encouraged to contribute their input to the plan. The MPCA has scheduled a formal public meeting for July 11, along with multiple community presentations during the summer. The MPCA will collaborate with local governments and businesses once the plan is finalized in order to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations and achieve a 75% recycling rate by 2030.
The MPCA provided the following recommendations to the public for helping to reduce waste:
Reduce and refuse
- Buy durable goods that last longer instead of disposable items.
- Be a conscious consumer: can you rent an item rather than purchasing it? Consider the packaging involved in every purchase you make.
- Be mindful when grocery shopping—purchase only what you can eat and eat leftovers instead of tossing them.
Reuse
- Purchase used goods when possible and donate old items. Host a clothing or book swap party rather than throwing away old items.
- Repair items rather than throwing them away. Many people take advantage of online “how to” videos to restore old furniture, clothing, and other items.
Recycle
- Recycle, recycle, recycle.
- Recycle organics, and compost food scraps, paper goods, and other compostables.
In the report, the MPCA outlines four themes underlying the 20-year plan.
- Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) offers a systematic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycles.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGe) reductions can be found throughout the SWM system. There are potential reductions in GHGe to be found throughout the life cycle of products and in the waste management system.
- The benefits and burdens of the SWM system must flow equally to everyone. The MPCA is committed to ensuring that pollution does not have a disproportionate impact on any group of people.
- EPR (extended producer responsibility) presents great opportunities for shifting the burden of management from the counties and cities to the producers.