1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to solid waste; amending Minnesota's waste management hierarchy;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 115A.02.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 115A.02, is amended to read:
1.6 	115A.02 LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION OF POLICY; PURPOSES.
1.7 	(a) It is the goal of this chapter to protect the state's land, air, water, and other natural 
1.8 	resources and the public health by improving waste management in the state to serve 
1.9 	the following purposes:
1.10 	(1) reduction in the amount and toxicity of waste generated;
1.11 	(2) separation and recovery of materials and energy from waste;
1.12 	(3) reduction in indiscriminate dependence on disposal of waste;
1.13 	(4) coordination of solid waste management among political subdivisions; and
1.14 	(5) orderly and deliberate development and financial security of waste facilities 
1.15 	including disposal facilities.
1.16 	(b) The waste management goal of the state is to foster an integrated waste 
1.17 	management system in a manner appropriate to the characteristics of the waste stream 
1.18 	and thereby protect the state's land, air, water, and other natural resources and the public 
1.19 	health. The following waste management practices are in order of preference:
1.20 	(1) waste reduction and reuse;
1.21 	(2) waste recycling;
1.22 	(3) composting of source-separated compostable materials and yard waste and 
1.23 	food waste;
2.1 	(4) resource recovery through mixed municipal solid waste composting or 
2.2 	incineration;
2.3 	(5) land disposal which produces no measurable methane gas or which involves the 
2.4 	retrieval of methane gas as a fuel for the production of energy to be used on-site or for 
2.5 	sale; and
2.6 	(6) land disposal which produces measurable methane and which does not involve 
2.7 	the retrieval of methane gas as a fuel for the production of energy to be used on-site 
2.8 	or for sale.

2.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.