Environmental Services | Carver County, MN

Welcome to the Carver County Environmental Services page. The Environmental Services department is responsible for developing and implementing programs to satisfy state statutes and protect the County’s natural environment in 3 main areas: solid waste (includes waste prevention, garbage, recycling, composting and hazardous waste), feedlots, and septic systems.

Mission Statement

The Carver County Environmental Services Department is committed to protecting the environment through public service, education, and innovation.

About Us

A cooperative of several national, state and local organizations go into the planning and implementation of Environmental programs in Carver County. If you are interested in learning more about those partners, finding additional resources, requesting additional information or viewing the studies and reports used in the planning process, please visit one of the following pages.

Department Contacts

Do you have questions? Would you like to request more information regarding a specific environmental program? If so, please contact us. We are here to help!

Brad Hanzel
Environmental Services Manager
bhanzel@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1805

Bill Fouks
Environmental Center Supervisor
bfouks@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1842

Lori Brinkman
Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS)
lbrinkman@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1811

Richard Devorak
Environmental Center
rdevorak@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1832

Dustin Heidinger
Solid Waste, Recycling, Education & Outreach
dheidinger@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1836

Kathy Koll
Administrative Assistant
kkoll@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1800

Bryan Liedahl
Environmental Center

Matt Nelson
Environmental Center
mtnelson@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1803

Jacob McLain
Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) & Noxious Weeds
jmclain@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1801

Mike Mrotz
Hazardous Waste Generators
mmrotz@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1809

Chris Peterson
Environmental Center
cpeterson@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1846

Matt Steele
Feedlots, Solid Waste & Open Burning
msteele@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1808

Gary Wittnebel
Environmental Center

Marcus Zbinden
Solid Waste, Recycling & Organics
mzbinden@carvercountymn.gov
(952) 361-1806

Partners

Carver County Environmental Services’ staff work closely with several organizations in order to consistently manage programs and to protect and enhance Carver County’s natural resources for the health and enjoyment of its citizens now and in the future.

Association of Recycling Managers (ARM)

The Minnesota Association of Recycling Managers is a group of individuals who share and develop information pertaining to the operation of municipal, community, and institutional recycling programs. We advocate and promote responsible and comprehensive waste management policies and practices that encourage waste reduction and recycling.

Minnesota Composting Council

The Minnesota Composting Council is a member driven non-profit dedicated to advancing the recycling of organic materials in the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The DNR's mission is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

The MPCA monitors environmental quality, offers technical and financial assistance, and enforces environmental regulations.

Minnesota Solid Waste Administrators Association

SWAA’s mission is to represent and promote the interests of county and district solid waste administrators and their programs. We promote environmentally sound, cost-effective waste management systems.

North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA)

NAHMMA is dedicated to pollution prevention, product stewardship, and the safe and cost-effective handling of household hazardous waste. A diverse network of professionals working together to promote education, guide good policy, protect our environment, and advance hazardous waste management practices throughout North America.

Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM)

RAM is committed to promoting resource conservation through waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting and purchasing practices using the most cost effective and environmentally sound methods available in Minnesota.

Reuse Minnesota

Reuse Minnesota builds partnerships and supports a vibrant network of reuse practitioners through education, advocacy, and promotion.

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

SWANA is the largest professional organization in the solid waste field and is dedicated to developing leadership and promoting professionalism, respect and credibility for solid waste management in Minnesota and within the national SWANA organization.

Stay Up To Date

Studies, Reports & Plans

Carver County’s solid and hazardous waste programs are shaped by a combination of regional and county-level planning efforts. These programs are directed by the Regional Solid Waste Policy Plan, Regional Solid Waste Master Plan, and the County Solid Waste Master Plan. In addition, they are informed by the findings of studies and reports that address specific waste management issues and opportunities.

Below is a selection of Carver County’s key planning documents, studies, and reports

Current Plans

Carver County Solid Waste Management Master Plan 2018-2038

Per Minnesota Statute, counties in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are required to revise and submit solid waste management master plans to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for approval. Solid waste master plans shall align with the goals, policies and objectives outlined in the MPCA’s Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan.

The Carver County Solid Waste Management Master Plan (Master Plan) demonstrates the County’s commitment to protect, preserve and improve the environment and the quality of life within the community, while establishing the framework for managing Carver County’s solid waste for the next twenty years. Although the Master Plan lays out a structure for waste management over a twenty-year period, its primary objective is to guide waste management through the next six years (2018-2023), when the next major plan revision is expected.

The Master Plan was developed with input from stakeholders and was adopted by the Carver County Board of Commissioners on December 18, 2018.

Household Hazardous Waste, Problem Materials, and Recycling Program Future Services and Facility Plan

The Carver County Environmental Services Department operates a robust household hazardous waste, problem material, and recycling program. This includes the operation of the Environmental Center in Chaska, three annual collection events in the western part of the County, and four satellite collection facilities in partnership with host communities. The Environmental Center was established in 2002 and has experienced a substantial increase in participation, volume, and complexity of collected materials over the last 20 years. This has created storage constraints, safety challenges, and traffic congestion, leading to the facility exceeding its maximum operational capacity at times. This Future Services and Facility Plan characterizes the current program, evaluates options, and provides recommendations for the future.

Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2016-2036

A metropolitan long range policy plan for solid waste management, prepared by the Pollution Control Agency, sets goals and policies for the metropolitan solid waste system, including recycling and household hazardous waste management.

Past Plans

Carver County Solid Waste Master Plan 2012-2030

The Carver County Solid Waste Master Plan establishes the framework for managing Carver County’s solid and hazardous waste. The 2012-2030 Master Plan was replaced by the 2018-2038 Master Plan.

Carver County Solid Waste Master Plan 2004-2024

The Carver County Solid Waste Master Plan establishes the framework for managing Carver County’s solid and hazardous waste. The 2004-2024 Master Plan was replaced by the 2012-2030 Master Plan.

2011-2030 Regional Solid Waste Master Plan

The 2011-2030 Regional Solid Waste Master Plan was prepared by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, a joint powers board comprised of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties, as a regional planning document for managing the six-county metropolitan area’s solid waste.

Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2010-2030

A metropolitan long range policy plan for solid waste management, prepared by the Pollution Control Agency, sets go

Studies & Reports

Residential Recycling Measurement Study

The Residential Recycling Measurement Study examined participation and set-out rates of residential recycling programs throughout Carver County.

Commercial Building Recycling Report

The Commercial Building Recycling Survey was distributed to gather information necessary for improving business recycling rates as well as identifying businesses not in compliance with recycling regulations.

Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Report

The Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Survey was distributed to gather information necessary for improving multi-unit recycling rates as well as identifying properties not in compliance with recycling regulations.

Watertown Organics Recycling Report

The Watertown Organics Recycling Survey was distributed to gain a better understanding of priorities, preferences and experiences of residents regarding household organics.

Organics Demonstration Project - 2008 Annual Report

Carver County’s co-collection program intended to demonstrate that collection costs could be reduced by co-collecting organics with yard waste in the same collection container and compost the material at an approved yard waste compost site.

Organics Demonstration Project - 2008 Final Grant Report

Organics Demonstration Project - 2009 Final Grant Report

Carver County’s demonstration project – continuation and expansion of the Commercial and Residential Co-Collected Organics Composting Project.

The Carver County Solid Waste Management Plan 2024-2044

The draft Carver County Solid Waste Management Plan highlights the County's commitment to environmental protection while enhancing services for residents. In alignment with the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan, this document establishes a 20-year framework for waste management, with a focus on the first six years (2024-2030) before the next revision.

The Planning Process

Community Engagement

As part of updating the County Solid Waste Management Plan, we want to hear from you. Your input is important and helps us make informed decisions about household waste (garbage), recycling, and organics.

Take the 2024 Carver County Waste Management Survey and guide the future of waste in Carver County.

We will share results here and RecycleCarver on Facebook. We appreciate your input!

The Planning Timeline

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency prepares the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan every six years with input from state agencies, county staff, and representatives of the waste industry, environmental groups, businesses, and citizens. The plan establishes a framework for managing waste in the seven-county metro area over a 20-year period.

Stakeholder Meetings

To gather ideas, input and feedback for the Solid Waste Management Plan, Carver County assembled a stakeholder group. The group consists of Carver County residents, businesses, non- profits and local governments.

During the planning process, the stakeholder group will meet, discuss the strategies in the MPCA policy plan, and provide recommendations on which strategies they would like to see the County pursue.

County staff will then incorporate those recommendations into the County Solid Waste Management plan to establish the framework for managing solid waste for the next twenty years.

Solid Waste Managment Plan Survey

Public Comment Period