The Dakota County Solid Waste Master Plan for 2018-2038 identifies strategies the County will pursue to reduce waste going to landfills and make progress toward the state's goal to recycle 75 percent of waste by 2030. State law requires Twin Cities metropolitan counties to revise master plans with strategies to comply with state mandates and meet recycling goals and objectives in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Policy Plan.

The Master Plan identifies the County's planned approaches for how solid waste will be managed by residents, businesses, organizations, the waste industry and the public sector. Strategies for reaching the state's goal of recycling 75 percent of waste by 2030 include:

• Expanded use of existing educational, regulatory, financial tools
• Increased accountability and partnerships
• Focused work in new areas such as multi-unit dwellings, large-volume generators and emerging technology

The Master Plan was developed with input from stakeholders and was adopted by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 18, 2018.

2018-2038 Solid Waste Master Plan

Master plan implementation

The plan contains educational, regulatory and financial strategies to meet statutory requirements. Master plan regulatory strategies include amendments to Ordinance No. 110 Solid Waste Management. In advance of proposing ordinance amendments to the County Board of Commissioners, County staff sought input from solid waste haulers and facilities, city representatives, property managers, businesses and the broader community to seek input to:

1. Identify possible unintended consequences of conditions under consideration and solutions to avoid them.
2. Gather input on timing of possible approaches to provide for successful implementation.
3. Solicit feedback on resource needs, such as County program supports, for a successful transition to implement proposed approaches. 

From March to April 15, 2019, more than 1,300 participants provided input through meetings and online surveys. County staff is reviewing the input and will present a summary to the County Board of Commissioners in summer2019.

All segments of the community can see regulatory approaches under consideration:

Residents – includes residents living single family and multifamily dwellings (e.g., apartments, condominiums, assisted living, etc.)
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for residents  

Commercial Organizations – includes businesses, organizations, schools, multifamily property managers, large events, etc.
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for businesses and organizations
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for large events and event facilities
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for multifamily dwelling properties
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for schools

Waste Industry – includes licensed solid waste haulers and facilities
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for the waste industry

Municipalities – includes cities and townships
Learn more aboutMaster Plan strategies for  municipalities

Project schedule

Phase 1: Stakeholder engagement:  March-April 2019
Phase 2: Draft ordinance revisions: April-July 2019
Phase 3: Solicit feedback from stakeholders on ordinance language: May-July 2019
Phase 4: Findings presented the Dakota County Board for consideration: Late summer 2019
Phase 5: Public hearing: November 2019

To learn more about engagement opportunities, please contact Renee Burman at renee.burman@co.dakota.mn.us.