Landfills & Dumps in Minnesota

Minnesota's waste management system is regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which permits and monitors landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities across the state. MPCA permits specify which waste types each facility can accept, including demolition debris, industrial waste, mixed municipal solid waste, and combustor ash. The agency recently amended Minnesota Rules chapter 7035 on solid waste to strengthen postclosure care requirements for landfills, recognizing that even after closure, precipitation can create contaminated leachate and decomposing waste continues to generate gases.

Many Minnesota cities have adopted organized collection systems, where one designated hauler serves each neighborhood rather than multiple companies competing on every street. This approach reduces truck traffic, minimizes road wear, and often lowers costs for residents. Contact your city to identify your designated hauler and understand local collection schedules. The Twin Cities metro area and other urban centers have particularly comprehensive collection and recycling programs.

Disposal costs in Minnesota run higher than many states, with metro-area facilities charging $60 to $90 per ton and residential self-haul rates typically $25 to $45 per load. Rural facilities are often less expensive. Many counties offer free disposal for problem materials including electronics, appliances, tires, and household hazardous waste at designated collection sites. Fluorescent bulbs and batteries have specific drop-off locations due to their hazardous components.

Yard waste cannot be disposed of in Minnesota landfills, including garden waste, leaves, lawn clippings, weeds, and shrub and tree trimmings. This material must be composted or taken to yard waste facilities. Certain transfer stations, demolition debris disposal sites, and recycling facilities operate under permit-by-rule provisions, meaning they are deemed permitted if they meet requirements specified in Minnesota rules without needing individual permits.

The MPCA is currently developing updated rules for construction and demolition debris landfills, with adoption expected in late 2026. Monitoring has found pollutants exceeding health standards in groundwater around unlined C&D landfills. Under the proposed rules, existing unlined facilities will have one year to draft transition schedules. Before visiting any Minnesota disposal facility, check with your county for accepted materials, fees, and hours of operation.