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ABOUT GREENNOTES
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. Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was recently awarded the Best “Green” Concessions Practice for its organic waste recycling program at the 2012 Airports Council International-North America Excellence in Airport Concessions Conference.
About 28 restaurants and coffee shops at MSP participate in the organics recycling program, in which food waste and food-soiled paper products are collected from kitchen and prep areas and recycled into compost. About 16 tons of organic materials are diverted monthly from the airport’s waste stream. To close the organics recycling loop, compost – a nutrient-rich soil amendment – is used in projects on the airport grounds.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) plans to expand organics recycling to all restaurants and coffee shops in the airport by mid-2013. The MAC received a $40,000 Waste Abatement Incentive Fund grant and technical assistance from Hennepin County to implement the airport’s organics recycling program. Learn about the organics recycling program by watching a video posted to MSP Airport’s YouTube channel.
For more information, email John Jaimez or call 612-348-5893.
 In May, Hennepin County awarded funding totaling $48,000 to four organizations to implement innovative environmental education projects through the Green Partners Environmental Education Program. The organizations have since implemented a wide variety of activities to engage residents of all ages in taking environmental actions:
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- The Latino Economic Development Center has conducted energy or waste audits at 12 businesses, is hosting energy conservation workshops for business owners, and has integrated environmental information and training into many of the organization’s programs.
- The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center has worked with residents to start recycling and composting, taught their young women’s group about organic gardening, and hosted community events where they shared sustainable living activities and information.
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Our POWER has engaged residents in seven Minneapolis neighborhoods in a variety of energy saving actions and has developed community-based neighborhood energy teams.
- At Patrick Henry High School, students participated in a hands-on study of Shingle Creek during a summer class and have discussed environmental issues and taken on environmental projects through an out-of-school program. Environmental lessons are also being shared with the broader community.
Learn more about these projects in the Green Partners Branch Group Mid-Project Update Report.
For more information, email Patience Caso or call 612-348-9352.
The Minnesota Twins have received a Food Recovery Challenge Achievement Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through the Food Recovery Challenge, the EPA encourages organizations to donate food and recycle food scraps to reduce waste, feed the needy and save money.
To reduce food waste during the 2012 season, the Twins collected organic waste for recycling into compost from the kitchens and suites and donated six tons of food to local charities. Hennepin County has provided technical assistance and signage to help the Twins establish and improve their organics recycling program. Learn more about the Twins sustainability initiatives.
For more information, email John Jaimez or call 612-348-5893.
The Hennepin County Board recently approved amendments to Hennepin County Ordinance Number Seven – Hazardous Waste Management. The county is mandated to establish an ordinance that addresses inspection and enforcement of state hazardous waste rules and provides for licensing of regulated businesses. Hennepin County has been licensing generators of hazardous waste since 1980.
The county licenses about 5,000 businesses that generate hazardous wastes. The county licenses businesses from a wide variety of industries, including healthcare facilities and pharmacies, businesses in the automotive industry, dry cleaners, gas stations, machine shops, metal finishers, plumbing and heating contractors, printers, local government entities and schools. County staff ensures compliance with hazardous waste regulations through regular inspections, education and collaboration with licensed businesses.
For more information, email Bruce Forness or call 612-348-8690.
 On November 14, the Hennepin County Board set 2013 special levies for the Bassett Creek and West Mississippi watershed management commissions.
A special levy of $986,000 set for the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission will finance projects to improve the water quality of Northwood Lake and Medicine Lake. The first project involves constructing two water treatment ponds and restoring an eroding stream channel in Plymouth with the goal of improving the water quality in Northwood Lake, located in New Hope, which is classified as impaired water. In the second project, a storm water pond will be constructed in Golden Valley to improve the quality of runoff prior to discharge into Medicine Lake in Plymouth.
A special levy of $125,000 was set for the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission to finance a stream stabilization project for the City of Champlin that involves restoration work along the stream edge below the Mill Pond dam.
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On November 13, the Hennepin County Board renewed a partnership with the NetWork for Better Futures to continue developing and expanding reuse and recycling programs for books, plastics, building materials and household goods. The NetWork used funding received from the county in 2011 to expand recycling and reuse programs for appliances, plastics, books and household goods. Through these programs, the NetWork diverted 156,000 pounds of plastics, books, household goods and 5,644 appliances from the landfill. These activities supported eight new full-time positions. The NetWork provides job training for high-risk adults, primarily African American men, with histories of incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic unemployment and homelessness.
For more information, email Carolyn Collopy or call 612-596-0993.
In the News
 Roll out of an easier, one-sort recycling program in Minneapolis began in November. The goal of the one-sort recycling system, in which all recyclables are placed into one cart, is to double the city’s 18 percent recycling rate by 2015. One-sort recycling is being rolled out in two phases – some carts are being distributed this fall and the remainder will be delivered in the spring. The City of Minneapolis has a map available for residents to see when they will be getting their new, blue recycling carts. The City of Minneapolis also had educational materials and videos available at www.minneapolismn.gov/onesort.
Hennepin County developed educational materials and signage for the one-sort roll out and has partnered with Minneapolis to implement one- and two-sort recycling pilot programs. Learn more on WCCO, KSTP and in the Star Tribune.
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Events
 Have broken household goods or clothing in need of repair? The final Fix-it Clinic of 2012 is on December 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Mill in Minneapolis. Additional events are planned for 2013.
At a Fix-it Clinic, volunteer fixers offer free, guided assistance to help attendees fix and repair their broken household items. Bring in any carry-in-sized household items in need of repair. Items brought in to previous clinics include DVD players, clothing and fabric items in need of repairs or alterations, fans, hair dryers, laptop computers, radios, toasters, sewing machines and muchmore.
Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working, and general tinkering are needed to make this initiative a success.
For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195.
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Green Tip
The additional food waste, packaging, wrapping paper and decorations thrown away during the holidays increases household waste by more than 25 percent. But you can have a greener holiday season by following these waste reduction and recycling tips.
Recycle holiday lights, electronics and Christmas trees
 Recycle holiday and string lights, along with electric cords, at Hennepin County drop-off facilities or collection sites throughout the Twin Cities.
If you’re getting new electronics for the holidays, donate or recycle your old electronics. Search the Choose to Reuse Directory for donation opportunities, recycle electronics at a drop-off facility, or find additional disposal options at RethinkRecycling.com.
Bring in a mercury-containing item for recycling during your trip to a Hennepin County drop-off facility – you’ll receive a $5 Menard’s Gift Certificate as a thank you!
Many waste haulers will offer pick-up service for Christmas trees during the first few weeks of January – contact your waste hauler or city recycling coordinator for more information. You can also take your tree to a yard waste site that is open year round.
Reduce and recycle during your holiday parties
If you are hosting a holiday party, use reusable tableware to reduce waste and help your guests recycle by providing clearly marked recycling containers. Compost your food scraps either in your backyard or by bringing them to a drop-off facility.
Give greener gifts, such as an experience, gift card or high-quality, durable items, and use recyclable or reusable gift wrap.
See the Greening Your Celebrations brochure for more ideas.
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