331 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.
In the past year, the county conducted 331 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 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 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.
Cass Precision Machining, Brooklyn Center
- Violation: Failure to close hazardous waste containers; Failure to label containers "Hazardous Waste" and clear, descriptive name
- Generator size: SQG
- Outcome: $928.00 and corrective actions
Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Violation: Failure to conduct and document hazardous waste personnel training
- Generator size: LQG
- Outcome: $828.00 and corrective actions
Pioneer Metal Finishing, New Hope
- Violation: Failure to conduct and document weekly inspections; failure to develop and follow written pretreatment unit inspection schedule
- Generator size: LQG
- Outcome: $1,108 and corrective actions
Walman Optical, Brooklyn Park
- Violation: Failure to meet feedstock/byproduct requirements; failure to evaluate a waste; failure to develop and follow written pretreatment unit inspection schedule
- Generator size: SQG
- Outcome: $2,078.00 and corrective actions
Click here for a printable version (PDF) of these enforcement outcomes.
Hazardous waste training requirements differ slightly depending on generator size. Use this guide to stay in compliance.
Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG)
- Training is recommended, but not required by hazardous waste state statute.
- VSQGs may be required to train employees under other government entities, like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Department of Transportation (DOT).
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More information on training for VSQGs.
Small Quantity Generators (SQG)
- One-time documented training is required. Refreshers are not required unless there are new responsibilities or staff are assigned a different position.
- Train employees within six months of starting hazardous waste responsibilities.
- Keep records documenting the employee's name, training date and description of training.
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More information on training for SQGs.
Large Quantity Generators (LQG)
- Training is required annually (each calendar year).
- Train employees within six months of starting hazardous waste responsibilities.
- Keep records documenting the employee’s name, training date and description of training.
- General hazardous waste training alone is insufficient. Additional, site-specific training is needed such as on-the-job training covering emergency equipment and procedures, etc.
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More information on training for LQGs.
For more information on requirements for each generator size see Hennepin County’s hazardous waste regulations and inspections web page.
 Minnesota Safety Council offers classroom training at their location in Saint Paul and on-site customized training at member locations on over 50 different occupational safety and health topics. A few examples are hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), transporting hazardous materials and dangerous goods, CPR/AED/First Aid and more, see the schedule for upcoming trainings.
 The City of Minneapolis recently adopted a modification to the paint booth requirements ordinance. Minneapolis won’t be enforcing this ordinance modification until September 1, 2026. Under the new requirements, automotive refinishers must switch to waterborne basecoats or low-VOC basecoats. Exemptions for small shops must be approved by the City of Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis is offering funding to help shops convert to waterborne paint. Minneapolis will match 75% (previously 25%), up to $50,000, to make the switch. The 2024 deadline to apply for this funding is Thursday, August 1. This funding opportunity will expire on September 1, 2026. Learn more about funding to convert to waterborne paint.
Direct questions about the ordinance modification to Jenni Lansing at jenni.lansing@minneapolismn.gov or 612-709-9977.
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 2024 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 2024, 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 licensing schedule and fees for more information about the licensing process.
On-site drug destruction products (e.g. Deterra Drug Deactivation System™, DisposeRx™, Drug Buster™, Drug Destructor™, DrugDispose™, or The Drug Shredder™) can render pharmaceuticals as non-retrievable, meaning non-recoverable by reasonable means and unusable for practical purposes. Although these products may render pharmaceuticals as non-retrievable, it will not render pharmaceuticals as non-hazardous.
On-site drug destruction products may not be assumed to render unevaluated or hazardous waste pharmaceuticals non-hazardous under MPCA requirements nor allow you to throw them into the normal trash without evaluation.
A marketing claim that the product renders pharmaceuticals “inert” or “safe” is insufficient and may not take the place of evaluation, you must manage the resulting mixture as a fully regulated hazardous waste unless you have evaluated it as non-hazardous.
Resources from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
Waste prevention grants are available to businesses and nonprofit organizations
Are you a business, nonprofit organization or reuse retailer looking to reduce waste? Hennepin County has a grant program to support just that! This year, $300,000 is available to fund projects that focus on waste prevention, including:
- Replacing disposables with reusables
- Preventing wasted food
- Reusing and recovering goods and materials
- Supporting innovative waste prevention research and development
Apply for up to $50,000 for your project, with a minimum grant amount of $2,500. All projects must include matching funds of 25% of the total grant fund request. Review the grant guidelines (PDF) and flyer (PDF) for more information on the program and requirements.
Visit the business recycling web page to learn more and begin the application process.
Bin and compostable bag grants for small businesses and nonprofit organizations
 Hennepin County is offering free resources and support to small businesses and nonprofit organizations to start or enhance their recycling and organic waste recycling programs. Select up to $3,000 worth of containers and compostable bags from the county's product list to help you get started. Check out the grant guidelines (PDF) and flyer (PDF) for details on container and bag options.
Visit the business recycling web page to learn more and begin the process to get your bins and compostable bags.
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