 For release: Jan. 29, 2014
Contacts:
Paul
Kroening, Environmental Services: 612-348-6358
Angie
Timmons, Environmental Services: 612-348-2477
Meg
Knodl, Public Affairs: 612-348-3735
News release
Hennepin County has awarded funding to 11 businesses or organizations to
start or improve programs that divert recyclables and organics (food and
non-recyclable paper) from the trash. These
grants will help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment, hauling
services, and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures.
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50th & France Business Association in Edina
received $10,000 to add organics recycling to four large businesses: Edina
Cinema, Edina Grill, Cocina Del Barrio and Salut Bar Americain.
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Cookie Cart, a youth enrichment
non-profit organization in north
Minneapolis received $10,000 to improve recycling, collect organics and
prevent waste by replacing disposable serviceware with reusable plates,
utensils and cups.
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Wedge Co-op in south Minneapolis received $38,864 to improve recycling and
organics recycling. This project will use a new kind of roll-off container that
allows the Wedge to store more organic waste for longer periods of time with
minimal odor issues and reduce hauling costs.
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International Dairy Queen in Edina received
$10,000 to add organics recycling at
their research and development lab and employee areas.
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CROSS, a non-profit organization that
provides food and clothing to those in need in Rogers received $10,000 for new recycling programs as well as an
upgrade to its freezer to prevent waste.
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Mill City Clinic in downtown Minneapolis received
$550 to expand recycling collection.
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Bakken Museum in southwest Minneapolis received
$6,387 to add more containers to increase recycling by employees and guests.
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City Food Studio, a shared-use
commercial kitchen in south Minneapolis received
$2,271 to add recycling and organics recycling.
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Friendship Village, a retirement
community in Bloomington received
$30,304 to add organics recycling and improve recycling.
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Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St.
Louis Park received $19,220 to buy
a compactor to increase cardboard recycling.
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Solhem in Uptown Minneapolis received
$5,180 to construct a recycling chute at a new multifamily property and make
recycling available on every floor to increase recycling participation by tenants.
Helping businesses improve their recycling is an important strategy
toward meeting the county’s goal of recycling at least half of the waste
generated in the county by 2015. The business sector generates more than half
of the total waste in Hennepin County, and nearly two-thirds of waste created
at businesses is recyclable.
Recycling grants for up to $50,000 will continue to be available. Most businesses
and non-profits in the county—from large office buildings to churches,
restaurants and apartment buildings—are eligible to apply. Applications are due
March 15 for the next round of funding.
Hennepin County has staff available to answer questions about the grant
application, review project ideas, evaluate potential costs and savings, and
offer resources to start and improve recycling and organics programs. For more information and to apply, visit www.hennepin.us/businessrecycling or call 612-543-1316.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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