MRC Quarterly Update: MRC payback hours by the numbers, new payback opportunities, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis recycling program updates and more

Master/Recycler Composter banner

SPRING 2013


CONTACT US

Carolyn Collopy, Master Recycler/Composter Coordinator

Email
612-596-0993.


IN THIS ISSUE


IMPORTANT LINKS

MRC Program

Payback opportunities

Hours reporting form

MRC Facebook group

MRC files


THANKS!

Thank you for your continued efforts to help Hennepin County reduce waste and recycle more! We’re glad you’re part of our outreach and education team!


MRCs log more than 1,500 payback hours

It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years and five trainings since we launched the Master Recycler/Composter program! We’ve learned a lot along the way and continue to make changes to improve the program, but most importantly, we’ve connected with 149 amazing individuals that are passionate about reducing waste. As we prepare for a busy summer with lots of payback opportunities, it’s a great time to talk about our progress. Hopefully seeing these numbers will inspire you to report your hours and log some new ones!

  • To date, MRCs have reported more than 1,500 hours of payback activities. 
  • Half of you have reported payback hours, with an average of 25 hours reported per person. 
  • About 1/5 of the participants in the first four classes have completed their payback commitment to become certified MRCs. 
  • The fall 2011 class alone accounts for 43 percent of the total payback hours logged and more than half of the certified MRCs! 
  • Eight of you have logged more than 50 hours, and one MRC has logged more than 100 hours!
MRC Payback

Thank you for all the time spent motivating your families, friends, colleagues and communities to reduce waste. For those looking to log hours, event outreach and special project opportunities are posted both online at www.hennepin.us/mrcpayback and on the MRC Facebook group. Additionally, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have an idea for or need help with an individual project.

Remember, it’s never too late to report your hours, and keep reporting your hours if you continue to volunteer after you are certified.


Two more certified MRCs!

Congratulations to the following MRCs on completing their payback hours:


Looking for a payback project?

The following organizations are looking for MRCs to help develop or improve their waste reduction and recycling programs. These are great opportunities for longer term projects that will have a big impact!

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities - Voyageur Environmental Center

The Boys and Girls Clubs of The Twin Cities - Voyageur Environmental Center branch is requesting an MRC to help establish new waste reduction and recycling programs at their facilities. This project will involve assisting the staff with figuring out what can be recycled, curriculum development and display construction. If interested, please contact Nick Sacco, Program Director, at 952-472-4581 or nsacco@boysandgirls.org.

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is seeking one or two MRCs to advise the Education and Outreach Manager in developing a system for reducing waste (upstream and downstream), motivating participation and reporting success. This project will focus on both improving internal operations and developing “choice points” as part of the visitor experience in the MWMO building. For more information, see the expanded position posting the MRC payback web page or contact Jenny Winkelman at 612-465-8780 ext. 202; jwinkelman@mwmo.org

MN Crew: Women Run the Cities

MN Crew is looking for an MRC to coordinate the recycling and waste program for the Women Run the Cities event on September 22, 2013, in Minnehaha Park. They are looking for someone to work with them during the planning stages to ensure they’re doing the most they can to plan a green event. The position would involve being on site the night before for set up of containers and general layout. Participation on the day of the event is also required to coordinate recycling volunteers and waste management during and after the race. If interested, contact Emily Gascho at 651-755-3963.


U of M aims to reduce waste during student move in, move out

In an effort to reduce waste and encourage reuse during peak student move in and move out times, the University of Minnesota ReUse Program is piloting a new program called Pack & Give Back. In May, the ReUse Program partnered with The Salvation Army to offer pick-up and drop-off services of reusable items both on and off campus. The items collected were available at the U of M ReUse Program free store from May 28 to June 1. Items remaining will be stored and made available when the free store reopens in September during move in.

The Pack & Give Back program is a partnership of the University of Minnesota, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, Southeast Como Improvement Association and The Salvation Army. Learn more in the Star Tribune and on KSTP.


Single sort, organics recycling and more program changes in St. Louis Park

On May 6, the St. Louis Park City Council approved several changes to their solid waste program, including the addition of a smaller garbage cart option (20 gallon), every other week single sort recycling, curbside organics recycling service and collection via compressed natural gas trucks. The city will contract with Waste Management for garbage and recycling collection and with Advanced Disposal for yard and organic waste collection. The new program will start on October 1, 2013. Learn more about the benefits and barriers to cities implementing organics recycling programs in the Star Tribune

Payback opportunity

You can help residents understand the changes and earn payback hours at three upcoming open houses hosted by the city. MRCs will provide information on backyard composting and the new organics recycling service.

The events will be held:

  • Tuesday, July 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to noon

All events will be held at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford Street in St. Louis Park. If interested contact Shannon Hansen at 952-924-2183 or shansen@stlouispark.org.


Minneapolis resumes single-sort recycling roll out

Minneapolis one-sort

The City of Minneapolis resumed rolling out the new "Big Blue" one sort recycling carts on April 22, 2013, and all residential customers should have their new cart by early June. Residents will receive a mailing approximately one week before their cart arrives with instructions. Visit www.minneapolismn.gov/onesort for FAQs and the updated one-sort map.


More Fix-It Clinics scheduled!

Fix It Clinic

Repair your stuff at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic or Mend-It Clinic. We have clinics scheduled each month through November. Upcoming clinics are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

  • Saturday, June 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Arts 
  • Saturday, July 20 from noon to 4 p.m. at the North Commons Community Rec Center in Minneapolis
  • Saturday, August 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Senior Center

Learn more about how Fix-It Clinics work on Channel 12.

A special Mend-It Clinic, in which volunteers with sewing skills will help repair or alter clothing and other soft goods, is scheduled for Saturday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Lake Library in Minneapolis.

MRCs have been critical in making the Fix-It Clinics a success! Volunteer positions as fixers, sewers or recorders and greeters are available. For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195.


New campaign promotes carton recycling

Carton Recycling

RethinkRecycling.com is currently running an online and TV advertising campaign to encourage carton recycling. With changes made to curbside recycling programs over the past year, empty milk cartons, juice boxes, soup, broth and wine cartons can now be recycled along with your other recyclables. Cartons are made mainly from paper, and that paper can be recycled into new products.

Visit RethinkRecycling.com to learn more about carton recycling, and receive a reusable water bottle or Chinook Book when you commit to recycling more and sign up for the Rethink Recycling Green Tips e-newsletter.