Training and resources for hazardous waste

Hennepin County offers training, tips, templates and resources to help hazardous waste generators achieve compliance with hazardous waste regulations.

Online training course

The online training for hazardous waste generators is designed to give a general overview of the hazardous waste regulations for all size generators.

• If you have taken this training before, clear your cache so the slides load properly.
• The course is divided into six steps. 
• There is an option to print the slides for each step before you review them.
• After each step, a certificate of completion will be available to download and print for your records.
• The trainings operate best in either Chrome or Safari browsers.

Important: saving certificates

To save your certificate with the correct date for compliance: click the printer icon and “Save as PDF”. If you save in any other way the date will change each time you open the file. 

Courses and resources

Introduction

7 minutes

• Introduction - English
• Introduction - Spanish

Introduction resources

• State hazardous waste rules
• Federal regulations
• MPCA hazardous waste documents and forms

Step 1: Evaluate your waste and determine your generator size

34 minutes

• Step 1 - English
• Step 1 - Spanish

Step 1 resources

• Empty container factsheet (PDF, 1MB)
• MPCA hazardous waste documents and forms
• Ordinance 7: Hazardous waste management
• MPCA characteristic hazardous wastes (PDF, 1MB)

Step 2: Notification and licensing

13 minutes

• Step 2 - English
• Step 2 - Spanish

Step 2 resources

• MPCA notification of regulated waste activity (PDF, 2MB)
• Hazardous waste licensing and renewal
• Online hazardous waste portal

Step 3: Storage

34 minutes

• Step 3 - English
• Step 3 - Spanish

Step 3 resources

• Hennepin County template for weekly inspection log (PDF, 1MB)
• MPCA storage tank information
• MPCA waste aerosols and compressed gas cylinders (PDF, 1MB)

Step 4: Transport and disposal

35 minutes

• Step 4 - English
• Step 4 - Spanish

Step 4 resources

• Metropolitan Council wastewater and water services
• Management and disposal of hazardous waste
• MN DOT hazardous materials
• MPCA used oil and related wastes (PDF, 1MB)
• MPCA manifest shipments of hazardous wastes (PDF, 1MB)

Step 5A: Emergency prevention planning and training (for all sizes)

14 minutes

• Step 5A - English
• Step 5A - Spanish

Step 5A resources

• Hennepin county required emergency equipment checklist (PDF, 1MB)
• MPCA Minnesota Duty Officer posting

Step 5B: Emergency prevention planning and training (SQG & LQG requirements)

25 minutes

• Step 5B - English
• Step 5B - Spanish

Step 5B resources

• Hennepin County emergency telephone posting (PDF, 1MB)
• Hennepin County local authority notification form (PDF, 1MB)
• Record of employee training document (PDF, 1MB)
• MPCA hazardous waste documents and forms (After clicking the link: see Step 8 Emergency planning documents)

Feedback

If you would like to provide feedback on the training, please email diane.maltby@hennepin.us.

Templates and fact sheets

Templates

Hazardous waste generators are required to keep documentation of certain activities, which will be reviewed during hazardous waste inspections. The following templates can help you keep proper documentation.

• Emergency equipment list (PDF, 1MB)
  You must have at least one item in each category on the emergency equipment list. Keep this record for your file.

• Weekly container inspection log (PDF, 1MB)
  Generators are required to inspect and log inspections of hazardous waste storage areas and containers.

Templates for small quantity generators

Small quantity generators (SQGs) can use the following templates to meet the requirements for each rule.

• Local authority notification form (PDF, 1MB)
  Use this template to gather the required information when you make arrangements with local authorities in the event of a release.

• Telephone posting (PDF, 1MB)
  Use this template to gather information you are required to post next to a telephone for emergency situations.

• Training form (PDF, 1MB)
  Use this template to track required training. SQGs must train all employees that have hazardous waste management duties to ensure that these employees are familiar with proper hazardous waste management and emergency response procedures relevant to their responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies.

Fact sheets

• Empty Container Fact Sheet (PDF, 1MB)
  Just about every business uses containers to store chemical products, raw materials or wastes. Read this fact sheet to learn how to protect human health and the environment by properly managing containers.

Generator newsletter

The generator newsletter is sent to hazardous waste generators in Hennepin County 1 to 2 times each year. The newsletter includes tips on hazardous waste management, disposal information, enforcement and no violation summaries and information about additional resources.

Fall 2025 issue

Read the fall 2025 newsletter

• 2026 license renewal
• Inspection and enforcement outcomes
• New fluorescent lamp sales ban starts January 21, 2026
• EPA E-Manifest registration and access
• Training classes from Minnesota Safety Council
• Food waste recycling compliance webpage for businesses
• Grant and loan opportunities

Summer 2024 issue

Read the summer 2024 newsletter

• Inspection and enforcement outcomes
• Training requirements and training classes
• New automotive paint requirements in Minneapolis
• Download and print your license
• On-site drug destruction products don't render medicines non-hazardous
• Grant opportunities

Summer 2023 issue

Read the summer 2023 newsletter

• Hazardous waste licensing invoices
• Download and print your license
• Inspection and enforcement outcomes
• Producing manifest records during inspections
• MnTAP aqueous cleaning toolkit
• Properly labeling bins for ordinance compliance
• Grant opportunities