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Hennepin Co. trash incinerator needs to be shut down by next year, environmental activists say

MINNEAPOLIS — Activists are continuing a call for Hennepin County's trash incinerator to close as soon as next year, far in advance of the planned timeline for the facility.

The garbage burner near Target Field has been running since 1989, and about 40% of all the county's trash goes there. Months ago, county leaders announced plans to shut down the burner, as new state law doesn't recognize it as renewable energy.

City Council members push to close trash incinerator, reduce air pollution

Some Minneapolis City Council members are pushing to shut down one of the largest trash incinerators in Hennepin County over concerns about air pollution.

The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) incinerates all trash collected in Minneapolis and surrounding suburban areas in Hennepin County to generate electricity. The HERC produces electricity for nearly 25,000 homes in the county, according to Hennepin County.

Eight Minneapolis council members back resolution to close HERC incinerator

A majority of Minneapolis City Council members say they want a Hennepin County-owned trash incinerator to close and signaled a willingness to improve recycling efforts in the city to reduce the amount of garbage being generated. 

The City Council’s Climate and Infrastructure Committee held a public hearing Thursday on a resolution urging Hennepin County to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) by 2028.