Activists plan hunger strike to push for closure of Minneapolis incinerator

The Zero Burn Coalition is organizing a hunger strike starting April 10 to demand the shutdown of the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC) incinerator.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A group of activists in Minneapolis is planning a hunger strike starting on April 10 to push for the closure of the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC) incinerator. The HERC incinerator, located next to Target Field, has faced growing opposition from local residents who are concerned about the environmental and health impacts of burning trash in a highly populated area. The activists, organized under the Zero Burn Coalition, say they will continue protesting and taking actions during the hunger strike until the county agrees to an exact timeline for the facility's closure.

Why it matters

The HERC incinerator has been a source of controversy in Minneapolis for years, with critics arguing that it contributes to air pollution and public health issues in the surrounding North Loop neighborhood. The activists' hunger strike represents an escalation of their efforts to pressure local officials to shut down the facility sooner than the current 2028-2040 timeline.

The details

The HERC incinerator was built in 1989 and processes around 40% of all the trash in Hennepin County, providing power to roughly 25,000 homes. In 2023, a new state law no longer considered the facility a renewable energy source. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a resolution in 2024 urging county leaders to close the HERC by 2027, but so far officials have only committed to shutting it down between 2028 and 2040. The activists say they've attended numerous meetings with county leaders but feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed, leading them to resort to the hunger strike tactic.

  • The hunger strike is scheduled to begin on April 10, 2026.
  • In 2023, a new state law no longer considered the HERC incinerator a renewable energy facility.
  • In November 2024, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a resolution urging county officials to close the HERC by 2027.
  • In February 2026, Hennepin County commissioners reaffirmed their position to close the HERC between 2028 and 2040.

The players

Natasha Villanueva

An activist from Minneapolis who is part of the Zero Burn Coalition organizing the hunger strike.

Nazir Khan

A Minneapolis resident who is participating in the hunger strike.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who signed a resolution in 2024 urging county officials to close the HERC incinerator by 2027.

Hennepin County

The county that operates the HERC incinerator, which has committed to closing the facility between 2028 and 2040.

Zero Burn Coalition

The activist group organizing the hunger strike to demand the closure of the HERC incinerator.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is burning trash that we're breathing in every single day.”

— Natasha Villanueva, Activist

“A zero-calorie diet. We'll be drinking water. The plan is to do it for as long as necessary to make them act.”

— Nazir Khan, Minneapolis resident

What’s next

The hunger strike organized by the Zero Burn Coalition is scheduled to begin on April 10, 2026. The activists say they will continue protesting and taking actions during the hunger strike until Hennepin County agrees to an exact timeline for the closure of the HERC incinerator, which they hope will be sooner than the current 2028-2040 timeline.

The takeaway

The activists' hunger strike represents an escalation of their efforts to shut down the controversial HERC incinerator in Minneapolis, which has faced growing opposition from local residents concerned about its environmental and health impacts. The activists are hoping that this dramatic protest will finally push Hennepin County officials to commit to a firm closure date for the facility.