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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.
Also check out archived issues.
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Each year, the Environmental Initiative honors innovative projects that have achieved extraordinary environmental results by harnessing the power of partnership. Two Hennepin County programs have been named as finalists for the 2015 awards.
Environmental Education category: Green Partners program
 The Green Partners environmental education program provides environmental education resources, grants, project support, training, supplies, field trip transportation and networking meetings to support community organizations in engaging the public in overcoming barriers and taking action to protect the environment.
Community Action category: Master Recycler/ Composter program
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 The Master Recycler/Composter program is a volunteer program that uses the train-the-trainer model to capitalize on the interest and motivation of residents with a passion for waste reduction and recycling. Master Recycler/Composters are trained in waste prevention, recycling, composting and public engagement and then commit to volunteer at least 30 hours in the community, helping the county expand its reach.
Additional award finalists
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Hennepin County is also identified as a key project partner in two additional projects named as award finalists:
- The University District Pack and Give Back program (Community Action category) is a collaborative effort to reduce waste during move in and move out times near the University of Minnesota by connecting students and landlords to resources that help students reduce, donate and recycle unwanted household goods.
- The Master Water Stewards program (Environmental Education category) recruits, educates and certifies community leaders who work to protect water quality by installing projects that increase water infiltration and educating neighbors.
Award winners will be announced at an awards banquet on May 21.
 On March 31, Representative Keith Ellison recognized four businesses that in the 50th and France Business Association for taking their recycling efforts to the next level by starting organics composting. In the first year of collecting food scraps and non-recyclable paper for organics recycling, Cocina del Barrio, the Edina Grill, the Edina Cinema and Salut Bar Americain diverted nearly 150 tons of organic material to composting and reduced their trash by 45 percent.
The 50th and France Business Association received a $10,000 business recycling grant from Hennepin County to help launch the organics recycling program. The four businesses have also been recognized for their efforts as Hennepin County Environmental Partners. The business association will close the loop by using some of the compost in their planters this spring.
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 The county recently awarded six grants for projects that will prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species. The projects will increase education, improve equipment, support research, and expand inspections.
Grants were awarded for the following projects:
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City of Eden Prairie to create and install new, high-quality signage at select boat accesses and to increase watercraft inspections at several lakes in the city.
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Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for two projects. One grant is for the design and creation of a portable bike and trailer that will be used to educate the public about aquatic invasive species prevention. The other grant will work with partners to create unique and targeted invasive species prevention messages that will reach new audiences.
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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to study milfoil types and management methods within Lake Minnetonka in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and Montana State University. The findings of this research could help guide future milfoil management decisions in Lake Minnetonka and throughout Minnesota.
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Three Rivers Park District for two projects. One grant is to purchase and operate a mobile decontamination unit that will be located at Baker Park Reserve near the public boat access to Lake Independence. The other grant will be used to expand watercraft inspection and education activities on six lakes.
The county will also use some of the grant program funding to purchase a hot water pressure washer for use by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol to decontaminate its boats and equipment before moving from lake to lake. Funding for this grant program comes from money allocated by the State of Minnesota to counties to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.
 Funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites is available through the Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund (ERF). Applications are due by May 4, 2015.
ERF grants provide funding for a variety of environmental assessment and cleanup activities at contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment. After cleanup, properties that receive ERF grants are put to a variety of productive uses such as public space, housing or economic development.
For more information, contact John Evans at john.evans@hennepin.us or 612-348-4046.
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The Hennepin County Environmental Partners program recently added 18 additional businesses and organizations that are being recognized for their efforts to recycle and divert organic waste (food and food-soiled paper) from the trash.
The following businesses earned recognition:
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- Community organizations: Land Stewardship Project, Linden Hills United Church of Christ, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, WeCAN (Western Communities Action Network, Inc.)
- Food retailers and organizations: City Food Studio, Chowgirls Catering, Harvest Moon Co-op, Seward Community Co-op, Seven Sundays
- Restaurants: Acadia Café, Gluek’s, Gorkha Palace, Matchbox Coffee
- Reuse retailer: Arc’s Value Village (four locations)
These businesses join a growing list of Hennepin County Environmental Partners. Environmental Partners receive window decals and other materials to communicate their efforts to customers and a listing in the online directory.
For more information, contact Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or call 612-348-9195.
Spring is a great time to make changes around your home and yard to reduce waste and protect water.
 Start recycling your fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves and grass clippings into a nutrient-rich compost you can use in your yard or garden by purchasing a compost bin. Hennepin County has compost bins for sale at the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park. Compost bins are 3’ x 3’ x 3’, made of cedar and wire mesh, and cost $45. Bins are for sale during regular drop-off facility hours.
Capture rain water that you can reuse on your lawn or garden and reduce stormwater runoff by installing a rain barrel. Order a rain barrel at a discounted rate through the Recycling Association of Minnesota for pick-up at a distribution event in April or May in Minneapolis, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and other metro area locations.
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 Event planners and coordinators seeking to go green and achieve low-waste events can receive free, customized assistance from Hennepin County. Staff can help you create waste reduction plans, educate vendors, train volunteers and provide collection options. Access the following free event planning resources at www.hennepin.us/eventrecycling:
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Recycling containers that can be borrowed for free to add recycling and organics recycling to events.
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Event recycling and waste reduction guide with steps to take before, during and after the event to make your green event efforts a success.
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Green event resources including signage and sample letters to send to your vendors and presenters.
For more information, contact Carolyn Collopy at carolyn.collopy@hennepin.us or 612-596-0993.
In the News
The flammable, caustic and volatile materials accepted at hazardous waste drop-off facilities and events, including pesticides, mercury, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, fuels and oil-based and latex paints, have the potential to create safety concerns. But accidents and injuries are extremely rare due to safety procedures, worker training and proper handling of materials.
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In fact, how users of these facilities prepare and transport hazardous materials from their homes can pose some of the biggest safety risks for workers, said Louisa Tallman, operations manager of Hennepin County’s household hazardous waste program, in a recent article on Waste360.com. She urges residents to make sure hazardous waste is transported in a container that is covered and won’t leak or spill. You can further prevent spills by placing items in a plastic bag or box during transport.
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Starting on Earth Day, April 22, 2015, all businesses, events and individuals who serve or give away food or beverages for takeout or immediate consumption in Minneapolis must serve them in reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging. A recent packaging fair for businesses offered an opportunity to learn more about the ordinance, acceptable packaging and resources available. Hennepin County provides grants of up to $50,000 as well as free staff assistance, labels and signs, and educational materials to help businesses start or improve recycling and organics recycling programs and reduce waste. The next packaging fair is April 2 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Midtown YMCA. Learn more on Kare 11.
Events
Hennepin County staff and volunteers will be out in the community at numerous events this spring with information on actions you can take to protect the environment by reducing waste, recycling, properly disposing of hazardous materials and implementing green yard practices to protect water. Get your questions answered by stopping at our table at any of these events:
To request Hennepin County staff attend your upcoming event or give a presentation to your group on waste reduction, recycling, protecting land and water, reducing hazardous waste or other environmental topic, contact Angie Ziobro at angela.ziobro@hennepin.us or 612-348-9850.
 Learn about simple changes you can make in the way you take care of your yard that will provide wildlife habitat and help keep our lakes, rivers and streams clean at an upcoming Metro Blooms rain gardens and beyond workshop. Workshops cover pollinator friendly yard care practices and the basics of rain gardens and shoreline plantings, as well as one-on-one design assistance from landscape professionals and Master Gardeners. Workshops are scheduled during April through June in Bloomington, Champlin, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth and St. Louis Park.
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Get free, guided assistance from volunteers on disassembling, troubleshooting and repairing your small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic:
- Saturday, April 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center
- Saturday, May 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Southdale Library in Edina
- Saturday, June 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Redeemer Center for Life Church in Minneapolis. This clinic includes a Bike Repair Clinic!
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.
Green Tip
 After helping hundreds of residents get their broken household items back in working order, the handy volunteers at Hennepin County Fix-It Clinics have gained some valuable insights into common repair issues.
Don't be afraid to take it apart
 They say one of the first things to overcome is the fear of taking something apart. Remember, the item is already broken, so there’s no harm in trying to fix it. Plus, troubleshooting and fixing things is challenging and fun!
There are generally three outcomes when you take something apart:
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- You fix it!
- You get lost in the disassembly. Prevent this by being methodical in your disassembly and taking lots of pictures to help you put it back together.
- You make the problem worse. If you hit a dead end, search for help online or bring the item in to a Fix-It Clinic for assistance. There’s a wide variety of online tutorials for fixing everything from electronics to cars to appliances and more.
Repair and purchasing tips
- Items that seem broken often just need to be cleaned.
- You will need tools and some knowledge of how to use them in order to fix things. You don’t necessarily need a lot of specialty tools – a basic toolset can go a long way.
- Look for replacement parts. Many items stop working due to one broken part that is relatively inexpensive to replace. You may be surprised by the variety of replacement parts you can find online or at a local hardware store.
- Invest in good-quality household items and consumer goods. Higher quality items are likely to last longer, making them less expensive and less of a hassle in the long run.
- Consider the ability to repair an item when purchasing it, including how feasible it is to take the item apart and how well-made the components are.
- Some things that are broken may not be worth fixing. Examples include old, energy-hogging appliances like mini-fridges and dehumidifiers as well as outdated electronics such as computers that cannot run current operating systems. Make sure to properly dispose of these items. Search the Hennepin County A to Z disposal guide for options.
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