Apply for business recycling grants, environmental education funding, natural resources protection grants; Choose to Reuse coupons available; Recycle Half of all you throw and more in the September Green Notes

Green Notes

SEPTEMBER 2013


ABOUT GREEN NOTES

GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.

Please take a few moments to read our stories. Share your feedback and ideas for protecting the environment.

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Recycle Half

Recycle Half of all you throw

Do you know how easy it is to juice up your recycling? Load it up? And milk it for all it’s worth? More waste items are recyclable than ever before! Juice and milk cartons can be recycled, along with yogurt cups and deli containers. Also make sure to check your laundry room and bathroom for recyclable items - laundry detergent jugs and boxes, shampoo and lotion bottles and toothpaste boxes are all recyclable.

Of more than a million tons of garbage thrown away each year, we only recycle 40 percent. We can do more - help the county reach our goal of recycling at least 50 percent of all waste by 2015!

If you’re still not certain how to recycle some of your stuff, get answers from our expert staff by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, email, phone or chat. Learn more about what you can recycle and get all of your recycling questions answered at RecycleHalf.com.


Grants available for businesses, non-profits to improve recycling

Business recycling

Hennepin County is offering grants of up to $50,000 to help businesses, non-profit organizations and institutions start or improve programs to divert recyclables and organics (food and non-recyclable paper) from the trash. These grants can help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment, hauling services and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures.

The commercial sector generates more than half of the total waste in Hennepin County, and nearly two-thirds of the waste created at businesses and non-profits is recyclable. Having a strong recycling program conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can help your bottom line, and demonstrates your organization’s commitment to sustainability and the community.

Learn more and apply.

For more information, email Andre Xiong or call 612-543-1316.


Choose to Reuse

Coupons books available October 1

Choose to Reuse

Shopping reuse gets you great deals on quality products, plus it supports local businesses, protects the environment and is a key way to reduce the more than one million tons of waste that is generated in Hennepin County each year.

Don’t know where to start? Hennepin County is partnering with local retailers to offer free Choose to Reuse coupon books valid from October 1 through November 30, 2013. Use your Choose to Reuse coupons to buy used books, music, clothing and accessories, rent party equipment or costumes, get new-to-you sporting equipment, and find antique or used furniture for your home.

Get Choose to Reuse coupons on your smart phone or tablet by downloading the Chinook Book app. You can also pick up Choose to Reuse coupon books at participating retailers, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations.

For more information, email Kristin Pierskalla or call 612-348-4787.


Environmental education grant funding available

Proposals due November 1

Green Partners

Funding, project support and free resources are available through the Green Partners Environmental Education Program for projects that empower residents to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce toxicity, conserve energy and protect water quality. Grants of up to $15,000 are available. Eligible organizations include community groups, youth programs, congregations, park districts, and private and public schools.

Get information about funding requirements, feedback on your project ideas and tips for completing your proposal at an upcoming information meeting:

  • October 16 at the Maple Plan Library from 1 - 2 p.m. 
  • October 16 at the Northeast Library in Minneapolis from 4 - 5 p.m. 
  • October 23 at the Hopkins Library from 11 a.m. - noon

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on November 1. Learn more and apply.

For more information, email Patience Caso or call at 612-348-9352.


Grants available for projects that protect and preserve natural resources

Financial and technical assistance is available through the Natural Resource Incentives for Critical Habitats (NRICH) program to implement practices that protect and preserve natural resources in Hennepin County. Projects that reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, or protect, restore or establish critical habitat are eligible for funding. Local, state and regional governmental units, non-profit organizations and landowners may apply.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 1. Learn more and apply.

For more information, email James Kujawa or call 612-348-7338.


Elementary students learn the importance of water at the Children’s Water Festival

Children's Water Festival

On September 25, 1,200 fourth graders from 11 metro counties attended the 15th annual Children’s Water Festival where they learned first-hand the importance of water. Students explored a variety of water-related topics through stations and presentations on basic water science, the importance of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, how to measure water quality and other water-related environmental issues.

The Children’s Water Festival is organized by 11 counties and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Hennepin staff provides planning, volunteers and materials for presenters.

For more information, email Stacey Lijewski or call 612-348-9938.


Events

Green Partners Quarterly Networking Meeting

The fall Green Partners Quarterly Networking Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Library.

The meeting will be an opportunity to:

  • Learn about recycling resources available, including funding, expert assistance and signage, to start or improve recycling and organics recycling programs at businesses, organizations, schools and multifamily buildings. 
  • Hear about the Recycle Half campaign strategy and resources available to help promote the campaign. 
  • Collaborate and network with educators and issue experts from across the county. Share ideas and stories about project successes and challenges.

Networking meetings are open to the public. RSVP to patience.caso@co.hennepin.mn.us or call 612-348-9352.

 

Household hazardous waste collection event in Orono

HHW events

The final 2013 collection event for residents to safely dispose of their unwanted hazardous wastes will be held October 3 – 5 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works Orono Shop, 3880 Shoreline Drive, Orono. Materials accepted include household, lawn and garden products, electronics, mercury-containing items and auto wastes.

Visit www.hennepin.us/collectionevents for a full list of materials accepted and a map to the event site.

 

Fix-It Clinics

Fix-It Clinics, where residents with broken household goods or clothing in need of repair can get free, guided assistance on disassembling, troubleshooting and fixing their items are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

  • Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the McRae Park Rec Center in Minneapolis 
  • Sunday, November 10 from noon - 4 p.m. at the Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield 
  • Saturday, December 14 from noon - 4 p.m. at the St. Louis Park Rec Center

More than two tons of waste diverted in the first year

Fix It Clinics

In the first year of the Fix-It Clinic program, Hennepin County hosted 12 Fix-It Clinics that attracted 638 participants who brought 932 items in for repair. The participants and volunteers worked together to repair 75 percent of the items, preventing more than two tons of waste!

For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195.


Green Tip

Properly dispose of yard waste

Not sure what to do with mounds of raked leaves and clumps of grass clippings? Your yard waste is a resource that can be recycled into compost and provide nutrients to your yard or garden. Remember, it is illegal to dispose of yard and tree waste in the trash.  

Take the following steps to properly manage your yard waste:

  • Start composting in your backyard and turn yard and food waste into a nutrient-rich soil additive. Leaves can be added to the pile as “brown” material to maintain the proper balance with “green” food waste.  
  • Use curbside pickup or drop-off sites. Contact your city recycling coordinator or waste hauler or check www.hennepin.us/yardwaste for options. If you bag your yard waste, make sure you use compostable bags.  
  • Keep grass clippings and leaves out of the street – Leave them on your lawn, compost them or bag them up. Grass clippings and leaves left in the street end up in the storm sewer where they are carried to nearby lakes and streams. The phosphorus and other nutrients in yard waste can cause excess algae growth that can negatively impact other plants and wildlife and can be unsafe for pets. Learn more about lawn care practices that protect water quality
  • Prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer by taking ash tree waste to the nearest disposal site (within the quarantine area of Hennepin and Ramsey counties).