The HERC (Hennepin Energy Recovery Center) is a garbage incinerator that has polluted Downtown and North Minneapolis for 35 years and counting. TCDSA has joined the Zero Burn Coalition, which is a group of local organizations and community members demanding that Hennepin County shut down the HERC in 2025. 

In addition to getting rid of asthma and cancer-causing pollution, the campaign to Shut Down the HERC has the power to reshape our city’s approach to waste and recycling. We are advocating for the closure of the HERC to follow the steps outlined in the People’s HERC Transition Plan, a policy program that would reduce waste and create an equitable, regenerative economy in Hennepin County.

So far, the movement to shut down the HERC has notched decisive wins, pressuring Hennepin County to pass a closure plan and then working with city council to pass a resolution supporting a closure date no later than 2027. 

In 2025, Hennepin County needs to finally set a date for the closure of the HERC – and we need to organize to make it happen.