Backyard composting
Tuesday, November 19
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Room 172 at Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
Learn how to compost at home! This course will cover the basic science behind composting, how to set up a backyard bin, and troubleshooting issues with your compost pile.
RSVP on Facebook or by contacting your staff liaison.
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Documentary screening: “Just Eat It”
Sunday, December 8
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Classroom (by seating area) at Seward Community Co-op Friendship Store, 317 E 38th St, Minneapolis
Join us to watch the food waste documentary, “Just Eat It,” made by a couple who vowed to stop grocery shopping and only eat foods that would otherwise be thrown away.
Limited to 25 participants. RSVP on Facebook or by contacting your staff liaison.
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If you requested a compost bin, please remember to pick it up from the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park by November 30. An email with more information was sent last week.
When people talk about the 3Rs, “recycle” is usually the first thing to come to mind. Recycling has many benefits, including contributing an estimated $8.5 billion dollars to Minnesota’s economy each year! Still, it’s a form of managing waste, and remember you joined the Zero Waste Challenge. Although recycling doesn’t reduce the waste you produce, doing it the right way builds a good foundation for your other zero waste actions.
Cut back on wish-cycling
Today you can throw recyclables together in your cart, and a materials recovery facility does the sorting for you. While this system is convenient, it is not perfect. You may have heard a few reasons at your intro training: wrong materials can slow the sorting process, damage equipment, and lower the value of other recyclables if they aren’t caught and removed.
So, it’s worth taking the time to make sure you are only recycling what you should be and leaving out the rest. Review the recycling 101 section of the Zero Waste Guide to brush up on what to recycle.
Here is a little more detail about a few commonly confused items and the reasons we do or do not recycle them.
Plastic caps
Plastic bottle caps (made out of polypropylene/PP/#5 plastic) will be recycled as long as they’re left ON the bottles. If they are loose, their small size will cause them to fall through screens at the materials recovery facility and become trash.
Bottles (made out of polyethylene/PETE/#1 plastic) are sent to a processor and shredded. When you leave the cap on, it gets through the sorting machines with the bottle. The plastics are later separated by density in a sink-float process.
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Metal caps
Just like plastic caps, metal caps are too small to be sorted at recycling facilities. Metal bottle caps will be recycled if they’re put into a steel can and the top is squeezed shut. This way, they will travel through the sorting process together.
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Aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is tricky-- it can burn up in the aluminum melting process because it is so thin. Collect clean foil in a condensed ball and recycle it when it’s bigger than a golf ball. Aluminum pans (such as for pies or from catering) that are clean and free of food can be recycled, too.
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Plastic film and bags
Many types of film plastic, a.k.a. thin, stretchy plastics, are recyclable through drop-off bins located at many grocery stores and department stores. These plastics may be labeled LDPE #4 or HDPE #2 and are commonly recognized as grocery bags, produce bags, shopping bags, bread bags, Ziploc™ bags, and the wrap around products like paper towels and toilet paper. Make sure film is clean, dry, and without food residue, stickers or zippers. The WRAP Recycling website has more information.
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Electronic media
Electronic media like DVDs and computer discs may be accepted for recycling at Hennepin County Recycling Drop-off Facilities or a store like Best Buy, although it depends on what it is. Check out our Green Disposal Guide for specifics!
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Batteries
Certain batteries pose a fire hazard, so it's important to know how to properly dispose of batteries. Hennepin County recently discontinued battery collection at city and county buildings, libraries, schools, and community centers due to concerns about fire hazards. Batteries will continue to be accepted at the county’s drop-off facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park.
Button batteries, Lithium ion batteries, and other rechargeable batteries contain toxic metals and pose a threat if improperly disposed. These batteries should not be placed in your trash or recycling at home. These batteries should be brought to a Hennepin County drop-off facility or hazardous waste collection events. Call2Recycle.org lists additional drop-off sites at retail locations for rechargeable batteries. |
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Alkaline batteries (single-use AA, AAA, etc.) do not contain hazardous materials and may be placed in the trash. The county also accepts alkaline batteries at the drop-off facilities for recycling. |
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Some devices have batteries that are difficult to remove, such as cell phones, laptops, digital watches, and vape pens/e-cig devices. Bring the entire device to a Hennepin County drop-off facility. |
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Remember to bookmark these sites!
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