From Ramsey & Washington County: Waste designation is the term used in Minnesota law that allows counties to enact an ordinance that requires all or a portion of solid waste to be delivered to a designated waste management facility. Sometimes called “flow control,” waste designation can be put into place after a thorough planning process that is approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Designation relates to what happens to waste after it is collected – it does not affect who collects trash, or when it is collected.
In short, waste designation laws limit how trash haulers like Wizard Roll-Off Dumpsters can handle and dispose of customer waste. Rather than allowing us to choose the most efficient and cost-effective disposal methods, we are legally required to follow the disposal directives set by the county.
In Ramsey and Washington Counties, waste must be delivered to the county-controlled facility in Newport, MN, or one of several designated transfer stations that ultimately route all material to the Newport site. This system is managed by the counties’ joint Recycling & Energy Board, which also sets the disposal rates. As independent haulers, we have no flexibility in choosing alternative, more affordable disposal sites, nor in negotiating pricing.
As of 2025, the mandated disposal cost in these counties is $38–$53 more per ton than comparable rates in neighboring counties or private facilities. Unfortunately, as a small business, we simply cannot absorb this additional cost without affecting our ability to provide affordable service across all areas.
To offset this disparity, a specific surcharge for loads originating in Ramsey and Washington Counties was implemented in January 2024. This is not a profit-driven fee, but a necessary adjustment to narrow the gap between these counties’ disposal costs and the lower rates in every other area we serve.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work to provide reliable service while navigating these local regulatory challenges.
For a deeper dive, you can read the entire waste designation ordinance and plan here.