Hennepin County is committed to achieving a zero-waste future where all materials are designed to become resources for others to use, the volume and toxicity of waste and materials is systematically eliminated, and all resources are conserved and recovered and not burned or buried. The county has defined zero waste as preventing 90% or more of all discarded materials from being landfilled or incinerated.
The engagement findings during the development of the Zero Waste Plan (PDF) led to the creation of this new grant program to reduce racial disparities and advance equity in the solid waste management system. This grant expands funding and support for community-centric solutions to advance a zero-waste future.
The community zero waste grant program will expand the county’s ability to address gaps in the solid waste management system, increasing the amount of waste prevented or diverted for recycling and composting. This initiative also supports the county’s Zero Waste Plan action to expand workforce development for living-wage green jobs by providing funding to community-based organizations developing and implementing zero-waste initiatives.
The grant program will fund projects that increase equity in the solid waste management system and decrease the amount of waste going to waste to energy facilities and landfills, advancing the county’s disparity, zero-waste, and climate goals.