 February 2024
During the warm months, staff monitor lakes and rivers, collecting data on water quality, habitats, and aquatic life (freshwater mussels, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic plants). Each winter, the data is analyzed and compiled into summaries which help us understand how our waters are doing.
The Carver County Environmental Center had another busy year in 2023. Over 35,000 residents took advantage of the facility and dropped off hundreds of thousands of pounds of recycling, household hazardous waste, and other problem materials like mattresses, tires, and scrap metal. Staff also worked hard to divert as much material as possible into the Reuse Room, where residents can pick up usable items at no charge. Those efforts saved 71,000 lbs. of products and saved the County approximately $75,000 in disposal costs.
In 2023, the Environmental Center accepted the following.
- 4,839 appliances
- 11,370 gallons of oil
- 42,000 lbs. of batteries
- 400,000 lbs. of electronics
- 250 tons of traditional recycling
- 206 tons of scrap metal
- 1,820 mattresses and box springs
- 1,779 tires
As participation rates continue to increase so does the volume of material received. If you plan to visit to the Environmental Center make sure to call ahead with large loads, pack waste neatly in carboard boxes, and fold cardboard boxes for recycling before bringing them in. Most importantly, remember that staff is always available to help answer questions.
Registration is open for 2024 Metro Children’s Water Festival
Carver County teachers and home school groups of fourth grade students are invited to register soon for a chance to attend the 27th-annual Metro Children’s Water Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Registration is open February 15 - March 15, 2024.
The free, outdoor festival teaches, motivates, and challenges fourth graders to understand, conserve, and protect water resources, and helps teachers meet state education standards.
The festival will feature the Science Museum of Minnesota’s show WATER! plus water games and an arcade. As many as 50 other learning stations include hands-on activities for students to learn about water’s physical and chemical properties, how water moves on the land’s surface and underground, where water is found, and how it is connected. Activities emphasize how students impact water quality and how it impacts them.
Schools or groups selected to participate will be notified by early May. All remaining applicants will be put on a waiting list.
A virtual festival showcasing content from the in-person festival is also free and available year-round.
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Metals
Recycling is a crucial part of managing the waste we create and understanding which metals do or do not belong in your curbside cart can make a significant impact.
What metals should you place in your recycling cart?
- Aluminum, steel, and tin.
Soup, fruit, vegetable, and soda cans are good to go in your recycling cart. They are 100% recyclable and can be melted down and reused indefinitely. Rinse them out and toss them in.
- Clean foil and trays.
Aluminum trays free of food particles can be recycled. Just give them a quick rinse before tossing them in the cart. Aluminum foil can also be recycled if it’s free of food residue and rolled in to a ball larger than a baseball.
What to keep out.
- Scrap metal.
Large metal items like pots, pans, tools, hardware and other scrap metals should be brought to a scrap metal recycler instead.
- Electronics.
Electronics should not be placed in the curbside recycling cart. Bring them to an electronics recycling location like The Environmental Center.
- Hazardous metals.
Hazardous metals or metals contaminated with hazardous materials, such as paint or chemicals, should be disposed of through hazardous waste collection programs.
Summer jobs and internships
Water education intern
Closes March 10, 2023.
We are hiring one education intern to assist with education programs and activities. The position serves to increase awareness in citizens and youth about lakes and rivers, common water pollutants, stormwater runoff, aquatic invasive species, and more. Tasks include teaching day camps, developing educational signs, posters, and displays, and coordinating, and staffing events.
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Water resources interns
Closes February 29, 2024.
We are hiring three interns to help with monitoring of lakes, streams, stormwater best management practices, aquatic life (fish, mussels, macro-invertebrates), and aquatic invasive species around the county. Tasks taking water samples, snorkel and shoreline surveys, data analysis, public education and outreach, and more.
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Watercraft inspectors
Posting open until positions filled.
We are hiring watercraft inspectors for May through October. Inspectors provide boat inspections at public accesses and help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Candidates will build knowledge and skills with aquatic ecology, aquatic invasive species, public education and local government. Multiple positions are available.
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February 27, 2024
Carver County Public Works
9am - 12pm
The workshop provides feedlot operators with educational topics and resources that are beneficial for farming practices and livestock production.
To register for the event, contact Matt Steele at (952) 361-1808 or msteele@co.carver.mn.us
The workshop is hosted by Carver County Environmental Services. Presenters include Carver County Environmental Services, the Carver County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the University of Minnesota Extension.
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Carver County Environmental Services is continuing its partnership with Chanhassen based non-profit “A Better Society” to bring more Fix-it clinics to Carver County. At these events, volunteers help attendees fix items that may otherwise end up being disposed of. These items can include vacuums, clothing, small engines, bicycles, and a variety of other small household items. These events are a great opportunity to fix items and keep them out of landfills, and also foster community awareness and discussion about waste reduction and the “throw-away” mentality.
Three events are planned for 2024. The first is on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at A Better Society located at 1453 Park Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317.
Stay tuned to Recycle Carver and A Better Society on Facebook for updates.
Carver County Environmental Services is updating the County Solid Waste Management Plan which outlines how we manage waste. We would like to hear from citizens on additional ideas and services you’d like. Residential input helps us make informed decisions about household waste (garbage), recycling, and organics. You are an important part of the planning process. We want the system to meet your needs, be clear, convenient and maximize environmental benefit.
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