Recycling ordinance revisions

Hennepin County is beginning the process to update the county's Recycling Ordinance (Ordinance 13). This initiative is a high priority in the county's plan to reinvent the solid waste system and will accelerate progress toward zero waste.

Plan to reinvent Hennepin County’s solid waste system (PDF, 4MB)

Potential ordinance updates

• Requiring businesses to separate recyclables from the trash, going beyond existing language that only requires the building owner to provide recycling service.
• Expanding food waste diversion requirements to cover more businesses, organizations, and institutions.
• Requiring waste haulers to provide better data and more services.
• Exploring ways for cities to support implementation of business recycling and organics requirements.
• Expanding the role of cities in advancing curbside programs, multifamily recycling and organics recycling, and commercial recycling and organics recycling.

Timeline

• Summer 2026: Stakeholder engagement
• Fall 2026: Expanded engagement on more detailed concepts
• Late 2026: Development of draft ordinance language
• 2027: Public review, public hearings, and county board consideration

Public engagement

The county is currently exploring initial concepts and gathering input from impacted stakeholders. Staff are reaching out to trade associations, waste haulers, city representatives, and schools.

Future engagement will include additional stakeholders and the broader community.