Issue 7 - January, 2012
Ramsey County strives to create a healthy, safe environment for all people to live, work and play. Find out what we are doing to go green inside and out! Look for this e-newsletter in your inbox every other month. You’re also invited to submit article ideas by sending us an email.
January is Radon Action Awareness Month
Do you know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.? Ramsey County lies in a region of the country considered to be a “hot” area for radon. This naturally occurring gas enters through the bottom level of homes and other buildings and has the ability to permeate the entire structure.
Ramsey County actively promotes radon awareness through print materials, a website, and a telephone information line (651.266.1133). The County urges all residents to test the radon level in their homes and businesses. You can buy a kit though Ramsey County ($9 and $13) or at a local home improvement store. Call 651.266.1199 to order a radon test kit and 651.266.1127 to speak to Lisa Marshall, the radon program coordinator.
Promoting Recycling in the Latino Community
Staff in Ramsey County, home to the second largest Latino population in Minnesota, continue to work closely with the Latino community to promote recycling and other environmental practices. One successful project is an environmentally themed calendar written in Spanish. This popular and vibrantly-colored calendar was updated in 2012 and provides information about the importance of recycling, how to get started at home, and what types of materials belong in the recycling bin. Six thousand free calendars are available at local Latino businesses, while supplies last.
Reducing Children’s Exposure to Lead
A new grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will enable the County to continue partnerships with community development agencies to keep children healthy by replacing deteriorated windows in older homes.
For a number of years, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health has received Lead Hazard Control grants from HUD to reduce children’s exposure to lead in homes. The continued federal funding is recognition by HUD of the effectiveness of County efforts to address lead in housing. Staff in the County program have also been asked over the years to provide training and consultation services to other projects across the country, another sign that HUD, the Center for Disease Control, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency view Ramsey County as one of the leading lead hazard reduction programs in the United States.
“LESS” a Success
Have you printed your box of “LESS “yet? To promote waste reduction, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board developed the LESS campaign, which includes a lighthearted informercial, encouraging people to get less. Both the Get LESS Facebook page and website are driving traffic to the Rethink Recycling website, which offers additional information on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Since the launch of Get LESS last October, nearly 10,000 people have been reached with messages on Facebook. Many of these followers have also become Rethink Recycling followers, which has increased nearly 44 percent. The campaign has also produced nearly 10.5 million impressions through public relations, TV advertising and online advertising. Visit the website and find out how you can get LESS today!
Environmental Health in the Press
Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Educator, Tara Roffler, was interviewed by Minnesota Parent and Minnesota Good Age magazines about reducing toxins in the home. Minnesota Parent is geared toward parents of young children and Minnesota Good Age is for seniors. Last year, Roffler offered five free workshops for Ramsey County residents on reducing toxins in the home. Her two key messages are to read labels of products you use, and keep harmful products out of reach of young children. The online versions of the articles offer a different twist for each audience. Minnesota Parent | Minnesota Good Age
Talking about Waste Reduction with Businesses
Ramsey County Environmental Health staff co-sponsored “Waste Minimization for the 21st Century: a dialogue with Great Lakes businesses and industry” in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Hennepin County. The workshop featured keynote speakers from 3M, discussing the successful 3P Program; a panel of local businesses, including one Ramsey County business, highlighting their waste reduction challenges and successes; and state and local assistance organizations, outlining their services. A survey is underway to determine the usefulness of the workshop, and to solicit other stories on business waste minimization efforts that were not highlighted at the meeting. Read more about the 3P Program.
Solar Power Shines on Saint Paul
The City of Saint Paul is leading the way in sustainability with a combination of new improvements to the Saint Paul RiverCentre (SPRC) ramp that save energy and money. Topping things off, literally, the City and its partners unveiled an 82 kilowatt (kWh) solar photovoltaic installation on the SPRC parking ramp roof last October. With the help of both federal and state grants, the SPRC parking ramp features 348 American-made solar photovoltaic panels that will generate 100,000 kWh of energy annually. That is enough energy to power nine homes for a year. This project is one of six solar projects in Saint Paul; all of which are funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant dollars. The ramp is now also Electric Vehicle (EV)-ready with the installation of two charging stations.
2012 Going Green Guide Coming Soon
Ramsey County is developing its 3rd annual Going Green Guide for residents. The guide, printed on 100 percent recycled paper, is a comprehensive resource with information about household hazardous waste, yard waste, recycling, e-waste, appliances, reuse opportunities, and education tools. This year, the expanded guide will include tips on backyard composting, safe disposal of needles and syringes, and Ramsey County’s new year-round medicine collection program. Look for the Going Green Guide in your mailbox soon! To request additional copies, call 651.266.1199 or email us.
Maplewood Streamlines Trash Collections with One Hauler
Maplewood’s City Council recently authorized a contract with Allied Waste for city-wide trash collection for all single family homes. The new contract, which replaces multiple vendors with one hauler, is designed to
- Reduce the number of trucks on residential streets, resulting in less noise, pollution, and costly wear on roads.
- Save the typical household approximately 50 percent on their trash bill, an estimated $1.6 million in savings (city-wide) each year.
Collection service will begin October 1, 2012 and end December 31, 2017. For more information, check out the City of Maplewood’s website.
Medicine Collection Program Reaches 1,000 Pounds
People are making use of Ramsey County's new medicine collection program, which began last September. During the first 12 weeks of operation, the program collected nearly 1,000 pounds of medicines from 482 visitors. This year-round collection program is designed to prevent crime and protect the environment. Ramsey County residents can drop off unwanted medicines for free Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center in Saint Paul (map) or the Sheriff's Patrol Station in Arden Hills (map). Learn more online or call 651.633.EASY (3279).
Changes to County Solid Waste Master Plan
Draft changes to Ramsey County’s Solid Waste Master Plan guide a system currently dependent on land disposal, to one that integrates a variety of management strategies and performs at one of the highest levels in the nation. The proposed revisions to the Ramsey County plan, which assumes a 20-year planning horizon, emphasizes the following areas:
- organic waste management;
- non-residential recycling;
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municipally provided services, such as multi-unit recycling;
- demolition/construction waste reuse and recycling;
- communication, consultation and technical assistance; and
- expanded hauler licensing for consistency and oversight of highest and best use of waste.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will consider the revised plan in February 2012.
The County gathered feedback on the plan through in-person focus groups, electronic surveys, telephone surveys, in-depth interviews, postcard surveys, meetings with key stakeholders, email, and Facebook conversations. Efforts were made to provide information and seek input from audiences that may not be currently connected to County electronic communication channels, including seniors, ethnic communities, and low-income families. The goal of this expanded effort to reach individuals from diverse backgrounds was to develop a plan that reflects the needs of the community, not just the will of the “experts”.
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