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ABOUT GREEN NOTES
GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.
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 Hennepin County’s Recycle Everywhere campaign has tips, tricks and supplies to help you change your recycling routine and recycle in every room. Hennepin County is also partnering with the Minnesota Twins to highlight their efforts to Recycle Everywhere in Target Field.
Hennepin County residents can enter the Recycling VIP Sweepstakes for a chance to tour Target Field’s recycling facilities, meet Torii Hunter and attend the Twins game on Saturday, October 3. The county has partnered with the Twins since Target Field opened to collect recycling and organics for composting throughout the ballpark.
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 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the cleanup and redevelopment of the Surly Brewery property in Minneapolis as the best Brownfields redevelopment project in Minnesota for 2015. The site is now home to Surly Brewing Company’s brewery, restaurant and events center. Before redevelopment, the property was a vacant industrial site with extensive soil contamination.
The cleanup of the property for redevelopment involved a partnership of Surly Brewing, Barr Engineering, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. The project received cleanup funding from the Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Metropolitan Council. Additional funding was provided through the county’s EPA-funded Brownfields cleanup and transit-oriented development loan programs. The project, completed in December 2014, has resulted in a tax-base increase of $200,000 annually and has created 200 new full-time jobs.
For more information, contact John Evans at john.evans@hennepin.us or 612-348-4046.
 On August 25, the Hennepin County Board approved an agreement that will enable the county to get reimbursed for expenses related to managing paint collected from residents at the county’s drop-off facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park and at seasonal hazardous waste collection events. This agreement is the result of a paint product stewardship law passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2014 that shifted the responsibility of covering the costs to dispose of unwanted paint from counties to manufacturers. Hennepin County collects and reuses or disposes of more than 300,000 gallons of unwanted paint from residents every year. The county will be reimbursed about $700,000 annually.
In addition to covering the costs of recycling paint collected at county-operated drop-off facilities, there are now more options for residents to recycle unwanted paint because many retailers have started collection programs. Find paint recycling locations through PaintCare.
For more information, contact Ryan Gastecki at ryan.gastecki@hennepin.us or 612-348-8994.
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 There are many environmentally friendly choices you can make when preparing to go back to school this fall. Choosing to reuse is a great way to protect the environment while supporting local businesses and getting deals on quality back to school items. Hennepin County has partnered with 50 reuse retailers to offer Choose to Reuse coupons with discounts through October.
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- Need a fresh fall look? Find unique, new-to-you clothing and accessories at more than 10 secondhand stores throughout the Twin Cities.
- Hitting the books? Save up to 30% on used books from stores like the Paperback Exchange, the Bookhouse in Dinkytown and Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore.
- Trying a fall sport? Score big savings on equipment and clothing for the fall sports season. Coupons are available at four local sports and recreation stores, such as Instant Replay Sports Equipment.
- Craving a coffee break? Stay caffeinated for class with a free cup of coffee from Peace Coffee when you bring your own reusable mug.
Whatever your back-to-school need, get free coupons on your smart phone through the Chinook Book app or by picking up a book at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries, many city buildings, and Minneapolis Park Board and Three Rivers Park District locations.
 Funding is available to public entities to begin or expand recycling and composting programs at parks, sports venues, events, community centers, commercial districts and other public spaces. Eligible expenses include recycling containers, supplies, equipment and development of educational materials. Applications are due September 14. Learn more and apply.
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In an effort to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, Wildlife Forever and the Star Tribune are partnering to geo-target marketing to educate residents about actions they can take. The project, funded by a Hennepin County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Grant, involves targeting smart phones users who are interested in the outdoors with “Clean, Drain, Dry” messages when they are near Lake Minnetonka and Lake of the Isles. The goal of the campaign is to inform boaters, anglers and residents that aquatic invasive species are present in the lake and that a few simple steps can help stop their spread. The campaign has reached more than 400,000 people during the 2015 boating season.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
 Hennepin County recently recognized 19 additional businesses as Hennepin County Environmental Partners for their efforts to recycle and divert organic waste through composting, sending food scraps to local farmers to feed animals, or by donating edible food.
The newest Hennepin County Environmental Partners all recycle materials like paper, metal, plastic and glass. In addition, five of the businesses divert organic waste to composting, two send food scraps to feed livestock, and one business donates food.
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The additional businesses represent a variety of industries:
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Restaurants and food retailers: Carbone’s, Lago Tacos, Lucia’s, Lunds & Byerlys, Midtown Farmers Market, Peoples Organic, Trader Joe’s, Salsa a la Salsa, U Garden
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Congregations: Grace University Lutheran Church, Prospect Park United Methodist Church
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Retailers: FedEx, Freewheel Bike, Magers & Quinn Booksellers
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Other businesses, non-profits and services: Catholic Eldercare, Intermedia Arts, Mentor Mate, Midtown Exchange, Uptown Cleaners
Find participating businesses by searching the Hennepin Environmental Partners map. Do you know a business that should be recognized for diverting waste? Encourage them to apply to be an Environmental Partner!
Hennepin County Green Partners grants
Hennepin County recently awarded grants to 14 organizations for projects that will engage more than 5,700 residents in taking action to protect the environment. The projects will engage a wide range of audiences in a variety of activities, including:
- Schools and early childhood education programs in Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Robbinsdale and Rogers will engage students and families in learning about composting, pollinators, protecting water, reusing and more by integrating activities throughout their curriculum and developing outdoor learning centers.
- Several non-profit organizations and community groups will engage their audiences in a variety of activities including hosting clothing swaps, taking action to conserve energy, engaging youth in caring for agricultural systems, establishing native pollinator plants, composting, developing projects to reduce stormwater runoff, making green cleaners, increasing recycling and more.
- Two congregations will focus on engaging congregation members in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing household hazardous waste and recycling.
Learn about the organizations and grants projects awarded.
Regional Community POWER grants awarded
Five organizations in Hennepin County recently received grants through the regional Community POWER (Partners on Waste Education and Reduction) program, funded by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board.
Art Your Engine/Bancroft Elementary School, Asian Media Access, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota, Minnesota Waldorf School and the West Bank Business Association received funding to educate and engage residents and businesses in reducing waste and toxicity, recycling and composting.
In the News
 The Hennepin Energy Recovery Facility (HERC), a waste-to-energy facility located in downtown Minneapolis, has been a part of the county’s efforts to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills since it began operating in 1990. The county’s efforts to eliminate landfilling also include extensive programs to support recycling, waste reduction and proper disposal of hazardous wastes.
The neighborhood surrounding HERC has changed rapidly in the past few years with the construction of Target Field and the expansion of both residential and commercial development. HERC’s operations have adapted to be an amenity to the changing neighborhood, including providing steam for hot water and heating to Target Field and snowmelt at Target Field Station. The county is also exploring opportunities to provide district energy from HERC to nearby residential and commercial properties, increasing the energy efficiency of both HERC and the buildings on the district energy system.
Although more common in Europe, HERC’s location in a busy downtown neighborhood is relatively unique in the U.S. However, many cities nationally and globally are considering waste-to-energy facilities as a way to reduce landfilling and recover energy from the garbage. Read more in Politico.
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Events
Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Hennepin County by learning how to identify signs of AIS at an upcoming training:
- Wednesday September 23 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Simonson's Salon & Spa Education Center, 2855 Glacier Lane in Plymouth. Hosted by Eagle Lake Preservation Association. Register by September 18.
- Thursday October 8 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Plymouth City Hall in the Medicine Lake Room. Hosted by the Schmidt Lake Association. Register by October 5.
The training will focus on early detection of AIS where management options may still be available. The training session will cover the major species of concern including why they are a problem, how to identify them, and where and how to monitor for them. Participants will receive a copy of the Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detectors Field Guide and will learn what actions to take if they suspect they have found an AIS.
For more information about the program, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612‐348‐4378.
The final 2015 hazardous waste collection event is September 17 – 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City of Shorewood Public Works.
Hennepin County organizes collection events to give residents more convenient local options for disposing of household hazardous wastes. Materials accepted include unwanted automotive wastes, household, lawn and garden products, batteries, mercury-containing items and more. Learn more about event locations, guidelines and materials accepted.
 Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity to receive free, guided assistance from handy volunteers on disassembling, troubleshooting and repairing small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more.
Upcoming Fix-It Clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
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- Saturday, September 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Reuse Program warehouse in Minneapolis
- Saturday, October 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Anthony Village Hall and Community Center
- Saturday, November 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at Folwell Park Rec Center in north Minneapolis
Volunteer fixers who have skills in electrical, mechanical or electronics repair, wood working, sewing or general tinkering are essential to making the clinics successful. For more information or to volunteer, contact Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or 612-348-9195.
Tuesday, September 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ridgedale Library, RHR Room, in Minnetonka
Learn about the Master Water Stewards, an education and certification program for community volunteers focused on protecting water, from Peggy Knapp with Freshwater Society. Also hear mid-year highlights from Becky Christopher with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
The Hennepin Natural Resources Partnership provides a forum for a holistic and collaborative approach to managing and protecting our land and water. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially those from cities, watersheds, agencies and organizations involved with or interested in natural resources management and protection.
RSVP to Stacey Lijewski at stacey.lijewski@hennepin.us or 612-348-9938.
October 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. (optional networking from 4 to 5 p.m.) at North Minneapolis Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis
Join us at the next Green Partners Networking Meeting to learn about organics recycling. Organics recycling programs are becoming more widely available to residents and at schools, organizations and businesses. The meeting will be an opportunity to hear about organics recycling programs from Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis staff, learn about the materials accepted in organics recycling programs, and discuss outreach strategies with fellow environmental educators.
Networking meetings are open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Patience Caso at patience.caso@hennepin.us or 612-348-9352.
Green Tip
 Use these tips to make recycling in every room in your home part of your daily routine:
- Put a recycling bin, bag or box next to every trash can in your house.
- Hang a bag on the doorknob of your bathroom, laundry room or office for recyclables. Empty the bag into your recycling cart once it’s full. Get started by ordering a free recycling bag.
- Label your bins with color-coded signs so that everyone knows how to sort their recycling and trash. Get free recycling labels.
- Have kids make a “please recycle” sign that shows what items can go in the recycling bin.
- Place a basketball rim above the recycling bin so your family can slam dunk their recyclables.
- Find more items to recycle in the bathroom, laundry room and home office in the recycling guide.
Get more tips and resources at www.hennepin.us/recycleeverywhere.
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