Resolution signed urging closure of waste incinerator at Hennepin Energy Recovery Center

The city of Minneapolis has taken another step toward closing the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) waste incinerator.

Mayor Jacob Frey signed a resolution at City Hall on Thursday morning calling for the building to be closed by the end of 2027.

The City Council approved the plan last week, and officials say the incinerator — located in the North Loop — is one of the largest sources of air pollution in Minneapolis, burning nearly 365,000 tons of waste annually.

Officials say the incinerator’s current operation is hurting efforts to move toward a zero-waste future, and its closure would allow the city to adopt “environmentally responsible waste management practices” that would align with their goals.

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City leaders also argue that pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color.