Henning Transfer Station

Project overview

The groundbreaking of the new Henning Transfer Station marks the beginning of a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the county’s waste management capabilities and improve services for residents and visitors.

The solid waste industry has evolved significantly, moving from a single waste stream to managing a dozen different materials. The goal is to recycle as much as possible, reducing the need for landfilling. The industry has outgrown the 35-year-old building currently in use, making this new facility a crucial development.

In 2018, the Board of Commissioners developed a long-range strategic plan focusing on resilience, economy, land use, public infrastructure, and natural resources. This project aligns with almost every element of the long-range planning.

Facility benefits

The new transfer station offers numerous benefits, including:

• Separate areas for residential and commercial traffic
• Infrastructure to advance single sort curbside recycling countywide
• Indoor tipping floor for residents
• Indoor storage for most materials
• Indoor restrooms
• Household hazardous waste drop-off and re-use center.

A brief history

This property was originally owned by the City of Henning, where garbage was burned and buried. As state and federal solid waste rules emerged, the facility closed. Otter Tail County purchased the property and, in 1990, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency permitted the construction of the transfer station operating today. The demolition landfill was permitted in 1991. Since then, significant progress has been made in improving waste management, and this new facility represents an exciting advancement in services.