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Hazardous waste licensing invoices

As of April 2022, a hazardous waste generator may now either make an online payment or mail a check to pay their hazardous waste generator license invoice.

Invoices for 51 new hazardous waste generators will be sent via email between June 10 and June 17. If you already received a PDF copy of your invoice, or if you received a past-due payment notification from hwgsupport@hennepin.us, you are already “pre-registered” in Hennepin County's secure online payment system. We encourage you to complete your registration. Once you have completed your registration and logged into the online payment system, you can view/print the original invoice statement, view payment history, and even apply an electronic payment to an outstanding balance.

Learn more and register to make an online payment.

Download and print your license

For large quantity, small quantity and very small quantity hazardous waste generators, annual generator licenses are valid from May 1 of the license year through April 30 of the following year. To be eligible to receive your 2022 Hennepin County hazardous waste generator license, 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 is available for printing. You must print your license and post it at the licensed site.

The following is a guide to when licenses will be available in 2022, 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.

Inspection and enforcement outcomes

212 inspections without a violation

Hennepin County wants to recognize generators and facilities that have a hazardous waste program that is in full compliance with hazardous waste rules and regulations. 

Since August 2021, the county conducted 212 inspections where no violations were observed, and the operations were deemed to have been in full compliance. The listing below shows that it is possible for any size generator or facility to be in full compliance at the time of inspection and it also shows that this happens quite frequently.

Click here for a printable list (PDF) of the 212 generators without a violation. This list also identifies the operation size.

Enforcement outcomes

The following is a list of enforcement outcomes from recently resolved civil and criminal cases, including fines and penalties assessed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) or Hennepin County. All of the cases involve hazardous waste generators, hazardous waste facilities or tank operators located in Hennepin County.

This list is intended to reinforce the importance of compliance with hazardous waste and tank regulations.

Giertsen Company, Golden Valley, Generator size: VSQG

• Violation: Failure to conduct and document weekly container inspections
• Outcome: $578.00 and corrective actions

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Minneapolis, Generator size: VSQG

• Violation: Operating without a license; Failure to operate to prevent a release
• Outcome: $1,328.00 and corrective actions

Mocon, Brooklyn Park, Generator size: VSQG

• Violation: Unauthorized shipment of industrial solid waste to the Hennepin County solid waste transfer station
• Outcome: $935 restitution to cover transportation costs and staff time. No additional enforcement was pursued following receipt of restitution.

Northland Aluminum Products Inc., St. Louis Park, Generator size: LQG

• Violation: Failure to conduct and document hazardous waste personnel training
• Outcome: $828.00 and corrective actions

Promed Molded Products Inc., Plymouth, Generator size: LQG

• Violation: Failure to close used oil containers, failure to conduct and document weekly container inspections, failure to conduct and document hazardous waste personnel training, and failure to operate to prevent a release
• Outcome: $2,278.00 and corrective actions

Click here for a printable version (PDF) of these enforcement outcomes.

Hazardous waste ID updates

A Hazardous Waste Identification Number (HWID) is a unique number used to simultaneously identify both a physical site at which hazardous waste is handled and the operator of that site. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency assigns HWIDs in Minnesota. Because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coordinates this numbering system nationwide, HWIDs are also referred to as EPA ID#s.

Many companies only think of updating information associated with their ID if the business closes, or has a change of ownership or generator size; but contact information for your site should also be updated each time it changes. If you have contact information changes please review the e-Service instructions for submitting the notification of regulated waste (PDF). You will need to select the “modify” option to update the contact information for your existing HWID. The instructions will guide you through creating your personal user account and the notification of regulated waste activity submittal. access e-Services directly. If you need assistance, contact the e-Service help line at 651-757-2728.

Virtual training opportunities for hazardous waste management available in English and Spanish

Hennepin County online hazardous waste training

Hennepin County first launched our free online hazardous waste training modules in late 2015. We have received positive feedback on the training content over the years and worked closely with Ramsey and Washington Counties in 2020 and early 2021 to update all the training modules and make them available more broadly. We recently launched a Spanish version of the training. The modules can be accessed and reviewed online.

The training is split up into the following sections:

• Introduction
• Step 1: Evaluate your waste and determine your generator size
• Step 2: Notification and licensing
• Step 3: Storage
• Step 4: Transport and disposal
• Step 5A: Emergency prevention planning and training (for all generator sizes)
• Step 5B: Emergency prevention planning and training (SQG & LQG requirements)

After a participant successfully reviews each section, a certificate of completion can be downloaded and printed to document that the supplemental training was completed.

The virtual training format allows you and others in your company to go through the training at your own pace without needing to spend an entire day at an in-person class. 

Building reuse grant funding available

When it’s time to remodel or demolish a building, many materials have the potential to be reused or recycled. In fact, about 85% of the materials in a typical demolition project could be salvaged for reuse and kept out of the landfills through practices like deconstruction and structural moves. In addition, incorporating used building materials into remodeling projects helps “close the loop” by giving materials new life and avoids the impacts of new materials.

Types of grants available

Hennepin County has funding available for the following projects that reuse and recycle building materials:

• Commercial deconstruction grants: Funding for commercial properties, including multifamily apartment buildings over four units, to deconstruct building materials for reuse. See the commercial deconstruction flyer (PDF) for more information.
• Structural move grants: Funding to physically relocate a building to another location, avoiding demolition waste and preserving the cultural and historical integrity of the building. See the structural move flyer (PDF) for more information.
• Used building material installation grants: A new grant to “close the loop” by funding remodeling, renovation, and new construction projects that incorporate used building materials into project designs. See the used building material installation flyer (PDF) for more information.

Apply for a building reuse grant

Applicants must be a property owner or developer in Hennepin County to apply for grants. Projects must meet the reuse and disposal criteria.

See building reuse grants eligibility for more details on project eligibility and to complete an application.

For more information, contact Olivia Cashman at olivia.cashman@hennepin.us.

Waste prevention grants available

Hennepin County has a grant program to fund projects that prevent waste in the business sector. Areas of focus include replacing disposables with reusables, food waste prevention and innovative projects around research and development (to prevent waste). This year $300,000 is available for business waste prevention grants. Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 toward a project, with a minimum of $5,000. Grants over $10,000 require a 25% match. Review the 2022 waste prevention grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) for details on this grant program. Application timeline Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until Monday, November 14, 2022, or until the annual program budget is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Learn more Visit the business recycling web page to learn more and apply.

Bin and compostable bag grants available

Hennepin County is providing free resources and assistance for small businesses and nonprofit organizations to start or improve recycling and organics recycling. Applicants may select up to $3,000 worth of containers and compostable bags from the county's product list. Review the 2022 Business recycling bin and compostable bag grant guidelines (PDF) and grant flyer (PDF) for details on container and bag options. Application timeline Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until Monday, November 14, 2022, or until the annual program budget is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Learn more Visit the business recycling web page to learn more and apply.

Grants for improving air quality through pollution reduction

The Minnesota Pollution Control agency is offering approximately $89,000 for projects that improve air quality through pollution reduction. Every day, Minnesotans around the state breathe air pollution generated by facility processes. Exposure to these pollutants affects everyone’s health, from employees at the facility to members of the surrounding community.

By reducing air pollution, especially from pollutants that have a higher impact on human health and the environment than others, we can improve air quality and bring everyone access to the same clean air.

The funding aims to help small businesses, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations take the leap and improve their environmental stewardship. Projects to acquire different equipment, update processes, or switch to cleaner products can save organizations money and protect the health of their employees and neighbors.

Application deadline: Wednesday, July 27

Learn more and apply.

Hazmat transportation training

June 16 and 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Safety Council in St. Paul

The Minnesota Safety council is offering a Hazmat transportation training. The U.S. Department of Transportation, International Air Transport Association and International Civil Aviation Organization regulations require initial and recurrent training for all persons involved in handling, documenting or transporting hazardous materials. Learn more and register.

Program Contact

612-348-3777, ask for the environmentalist on call
hwgsupport@hennepin.us

Resources

 • Hazardous waste licensing portal
 • Hazardous waste training and resources