Changes with C&D Landfill Rules in Minnesota

 

More information at the MPCA's Website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us

 

Background In Minnesota, there are 80-90 Construction and Demolition (C&D) landfills or portions of C&D landfills that are currently operating without liners or a leachate collection system. Over 25% of C&D debris is disposed of in unlined facilities. Without a liner or leachate collection system, leachate may find its way into the groundwater. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is currently drafting the changes to C&D landfill rules.

 

The proposed rules may require all landfills to:

• Be lined with a leachate collection system

• Be capped with a more protective cover

• Have more stringent operating and closure requirements

• Require additional groundwater monitoring

• Require financial assurance to mitigate future liabilities

• Promote reuse of C&D materials

• Eliminate all future unlined C&D permit by rule (PBR) disposal facilities

 

What these rules could mean:

• Dramatically increased disposal costs. (This reduces options for competitive pricing for some contractors)

• Closure of demo landfills near your business/community. (Increased transportation costs)

• Increased illegal disposal, burning, or burial of construction debris.

• Increased amounts of C&D material in MSW landfills. (Shortened life of MSW landfills)

• Increased amount of community blight (farm and city) due to overall cost to remove, haul and dispose of C&D waste.

• Increased number of tax forfeiture parcels due to the unaffordability to remove the structure

 

Very little information about the actual rules have been made available to County Solid Waste officials and the process for making these rule changes has been lengthy. It has made regional solid waste planning very difficult as many of our landfills are running out of capacity. Counties and private landfills are left to wonder if they should seek expansions, close, or consider alternatives to land disposal which come with huge, up-front costs. (like creating recycling centers or transfer stations).

 

The MPCA is holding work sessions around the state to inform those who are invested in the outcome of the C&D rules. The meeting for the Northwest Minnesota Region will be held on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, in Bemidji at Beltrami Electric Cooperative 12:30-4:00. More information about this meeting, and others like this being held in various locations around the state, can be found on the MPCA’s website: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/construction-and-demolition-debris-landfills