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Welcome to the first e-newsletter edition of the Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Generator Newsletter. With many of our services moving online, we have transitioned the generator newsletter from a print to electronic newsletter.
The generator newsletter is sent to all hazardous waste generators in Hennepin County and includes hazardous waste management tips, disposal information, enforcement summaries, no violation highlights, and information about additional resources.
Registered users in the online hazardous waste licensing portal are automatically included on the generator newsletter email list. Through the e-newsletter service, you can sign up all employees of your business that should receive the newsletter. Please forward this to others and encourage them to sign up. You can unsubscribe from this e-newsletter at any time.
Annual generator licenses are valid from May 1 of the license year through April 30 of the following year. To be eligible to receive a Hennepin County hazardous waste generator license that is effective on May 1, you must submit a hazardous waste management plan summary and pay your license fee.
Generator licenses are created for eligible generators beginning in mid-April. Once your license is created, the person designated as administrator in the hazardous waste portal will be notified via email that your license can be printed from the portal. You must print your license and post it at the licensed site.
The following is a guide to when licenses will be available based on when your payment is posted:
- Payment posted on or before March 31: license created mid-April
- Payment posted April 1 to 16: License created first working day in May
- Payment posted April 17 to May 16: License created first working day in June
- Payment posted after May 16: Licenses continue to be created for eligible generators on the first working day of each subsequent month
See the licensing schedule and fees for more information about the licensing process.
 Hennepin County conducts hazardous waste inspections to ensure that businesses are properly managing their hazardous wastes. Inspections are also an opportunity for businesses to learn more about managing hazardous waste. Section 4.02 Right of Entry in Hennepin County’s Ordinance Number 7 allows inspectors access to sites that are generating or believed to be generating hazardous wastes.
We understand that showing up unannounced may be inconvenient. However, Hennepin County stopped scheduling appointments for Large Quantity Generator inspections after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found drastic differences during unannounced inspections of the same businesses. Although in rare cases we may be amenable to coming back later that day or waiting while schedules are adjusted, it is our policy to conduct the inspection when we arrive. For these reasons, it is important for more than one person to have access to records including shipping documentation, training records, contingency plans and evaluation records. Inspections also go smoother if the person we meet with is knowledgeable about the wastes generated and where they are stored.
Learn more about hazardous waste inspections.
Have you considered how your business might contribute to air pollution? Every person and business contributes to the mix of pollutants emitted to our air every day. Reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at your business can save you money, increase your facility’s efficiency, improve worker health and productivity, and make your workplace cleaner and safer.
VOCs are emitted from many industrial and commercial processes. You may recognize them as fumes coming from coatings, inks, solvents, adhesives, gasoline or other chemicals. They are released when fuels are burned in vehicles and equipment, and can be released from the storage and transportation of chemicals and fuels. When these VOCs are released into the air, they can be chemically transformed into ground-level ozone, which is a component of smog and is a harmful air pollutant. Business sectors that commonly emit VOCs include trucking companies, dry cleaners, auto body shops, print shops and gas stations.
Case studies and resources
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has awarded grants totaling more than $500,000 to 13 small businesses in Minnesota to reduce VOCs. Altogether, these grants will reduce about 7 tons of VOCs, which is equal to more than 13,000 cans of spray paint. Learn about what these businesses are doing.
Learn more about the impacts of VOCs, how to reduce emissions, and get links to resources and technical assistance from the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
 Hennepin County has grants of up to $50,000 available to help businesses, nonprofit organizations and institutions start or improve programs to reduce waste and divert recycling and organic waste (food and non-recyclable paper) from the trash. Funding can help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment and hauling services and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures. The next round of applications are due June 15. Learn more and apply.
Not sure where to get started? Check out the Best Practices Guide for Business Recycling.
Already recycle? Get recognized for your efforts
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 Already have a successful recycling program? Hennepin County is recognizing local businesses and organizations for their efforts to recycle and divert organic waste from the trash through composting, sending food scraps to local farmers to feed animals, or by donating edible food.
Businesses or organizations that become a Hennepin County Environmental Partner receive window decals that communicate their efforts to customers. They are also listed in an online directory that potential customers can use to find and support businesses that are recycling and diverting organic waste from the trash. Apply now to become a Hennepin County Environmental Partner.
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Hennepin County offers free hazardous waste training classes throughout the year for hazardous waste generators of all sizes. The training provides a general overview of the hazardous waste regulations and includes regulatory updates and industry examples. Topics covered include waste evaluation, labeling and storage of hazardous wastes, license applications, selecting transporters and disposers, record keeping, emergency planning, waste minimization and pollution prevention.
There are limited spots available in the final spring 2015 session that will be held on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ridgedale Library in the Robert H. Rohlf room. Register now. We will offer additional training classes in the fall and plan to have online training modules available soon.
Managing empty hazardous waste containers
Just about every business uses containers to store chemical products, raw materials or wastes. Once empty, businesses must arrange to have containers recycled or disposed. If not managed carefully, an empty container and its residues can become a liability. That's because residuals can contaminate soil, surface water and groundwater, and harm people and wildlife. See Hennepin County's Commercial Hazardous Waste Empty Containers factsheet to learn how to protect human health and the environment by properly managing containers.
Managing towels, wipes and rags
Many businesses and government agencies use towels, wipes, rags, swabs or similar launderable or disposable materials that are collectively referred to as sorbents. Used sorbents may become hazardous wastes if they are dampened with solvents or cleaners or if they collect contaminants during use.
See the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Managing Sorbents: Towels, Wipes and Rags factsheet for guidance on how to properly manage used sorbents. This publication was recently updated in response to the federal rule regarding solvent-contaminated wipes that was finalized in July 2013.
Hennepin County maintains a list of enforcement outcomes from hazardous waste violations on our website to reinforce the importance of compliance with hazardous waste and tank regulations. The list includes recently resolved civil and criminal cases, including fines and penalties assessed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or Hennepin County. All of the cases originated from violations found during hazardous waste generator, hazardous waste facility or tank inspections at businesses in Hennepin County.
The county has resolved 30 enforcement cases for hazardous waste violations since August 2013.
If you have any questions regarding compliance with environmental regulations or wish to report a violation, call 612-348-3777 and ask for the environmental specialist on call or email environment@hennepin.us.
Hennepin County also recognizes generators and facilities for having a hazardous waste program that is in full compliance with hazardous waste rules and regulations. Since August 2013, the county has conducted 99 inspections where generators have been in full compliance. The no violations listing not only shows that it is possible for any size generator and facility to be in full compliance at the time of the inspection, but that it also happens with some frequency.
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