Hennepin County is developing a Zero Waste Plan that is being guided by a broad community engagement process with a strong focus on equity and disparity reduction.
The county is seeking residents and representatives from businesses, community organizations, and multifamily properties to participate in work groups to develop actions for the Zero Waste Plan. Work groups will learn about challenges and opportunities to achieve zero waste, review and propose actions that will accelerate the county’s path to zero waste, and finalize recommended actions for inclusion in the Zero Waste Plan.
Participating in a work group will take 10 to 15 hours of total time, including four evening meetings and some work between meetings.
Learn more about participating on an action planning work group, including the seven focus areas of the work groups, schedule, and more information about what the work groups will do.
Register to join a work group by Tuesday, July 12 by completing this short form.
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What we heard the community wants in a zero-waste future
During the first phase of community engagement for the Zero Waste Plan in spring 2022, the county sought to understand the community’s experiences and concerns with the solid waste management system and learn their priorities and ideas for solutions.
To gather that feedback, the county worked with a cohort of community groups to hold conversations with residents who have traditionally been left out of the solid waste planning process, gathered responses through a variety of online engagement tools, and met with industry stakeholders.
The following key findings emerged from the first phase of engagement:
- Offer more recycling options and create better, more equitable access to services, especially in multifamily settings.
- Put the responsibility on businesses and producers of materials to create a system that provides more options to reduce and recycle, especially when it comes to plastics.
- Increase education and outreach on what is recyclable, what services are available, why recycling is important, and the impact of the materials we throw away.
- Change the cost structure to emphasize recycling over trash, offer incentives that reward good behavior, and invest in community-based solutions.
- Invest in zero waste initiatives and act urgently.
Read more about what we heard from the community during the first phase of community engagement.
Recycling Progress Report highlights transformative changes needed to move toward zero waste
Achieving zero waste will require significant changes in our individual behaviors and transformative changes in the policies, programs and resources that make up the solid waste system. The 2021 Recycling Progress Report (PDF) sheds light on the transformative changes that are needed.
Moving toward zero waste
In 2021, 39% of waste generated in the county was managed as recycling and organics, and the remaining 61% was managed as trash.
The county has made progress in several key areas, but we know behavior change is only part of the solution and policy and systems change are needed. Recognizing the need to go bigger, the county started the development of a Zero Waste Plan.
Adjusting to a new normal
Hennepin County continued a thoughtful and intentional transition to a new normal in 2021. The county resumed many vital services, such as resuming normal operations at the drop-off facilities and once again offering hazardous waste collection events. Some services remained on hold, such as in-person Fix-It Clinics and other events, and we continued to have success with online engagement for many programs.
Expanding residential organics recycling programs
Many cities rolled out organics recycling programs in advance of the county’s requirement for cities to offer organics recycling by January 1, 2022. The county helped cities develop and launch their programs by offering support with contracting and promotions. The county also continued to push for more organics recycling capacity to meet increased demand.
Focusing on disparity reduction
There continues to be a need for better access to services and more resources for recycling programs, especially in multifamily settings. The county started applying the Racial Equity Impact Tool, which helps identify how to reduce disparities and increase equity, to waste reduction and recycling programs.
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We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home.
Improve your food-waste-fighting skills
Learning skills like creating a meal plan, buying just what you need at the grocery store, cooking creatively, and properly storing food can have a big impact on reducing the amount of food in your home that goes to waste.
Join Hennepin County’s online Stop Food Waste Challenge to learn easy, practical skills that will help you stop wasting food, put more money in your pocket, and create a healthier environment.
The challenge goes from August 1 through August 31. Sign up now!
After you sign up, be sure to check out the resources section for tools to encourage others to join.
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Become a 2022 Stop Food Waste Challenge Partner
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We are seeking partners to help to help increase promotion, recruitment, and engagement for the upcoming Stop Food Waste Challenge.
All partners will have their logo displayed on the challenge website, gain access to promotional materials, and get various recognition and cross-promotion during the challenge. There is no cost to become a partner.
Learn more about becoming a Stop Food Waste Challenge partner.
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Hennepin County's Environment and Energy Department is seeking an experienced Urban and Community Forester to assist with strategic initiatives and the day-to-day operations of the county’s forestry program.
Work for this position includes:
- Implementing the 2021 Community Forestry Strategic Plan
- Helping with Healthy Tree Canopy grants
- Working with the inter-departmental team that is planning and implementing the county’s one million tree planting goal established by the Climate Action Plan
- Developing strategies to ensure the equitable improvement of the county’s tree canopy, tree planting and related maintenance work
- Conducting outreach, education and collaboration efforts
The application deadline is Monday, July 11. Learn more and apply.
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Over the weekend, 20 sails created by local artists highlighting issues with aquatic invasive species were on display at the Wayzata Art Experience.
Wayzata Sailing received aquatic invasive species prevention grants from Hennepin County in 2021 and 2022 to work with artists to create sails to educate the public about aquatic invasive species.
This art installation intends to create long-lasting and widespread awareness of aquatic invasive species on Lake Minnetonka and in the surrounding community.
For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us.
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Minnesota’s heat waves are getting more humid
Although our recent stretch of hot days was not outside of normal for Minnesota summers, research by Hennepin County Emergency Management and a climatologist from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has found a trend that is making hot days more uncomfortable – they are also more humid.
Hot and humid days will disproportionately affect residents with underlying health conditions and people who have to work outside, especially those without air conditioners and who in urban areas where hard surfaces and less tree canopy makes hot days even hotter. Learn more on WCCO.
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Upcoming hazardous waste collection events
Hazardous waste collection events provide residents more convenient local disposal options for their unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.
Events will take place Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
- July 8 and 9 at Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis
- August 12 and 13 at South High School in Minneapolis
- September 9 and 10 at the Hennepin County Public Works Orono Shop
Before you go, find health and safety guidelines and a list of acceptable materials at hennepin.us/collectionevents.
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Fix-it Clinics are back!
Get free help with your broken stuff and learn valuable repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic. Bring in your broken household items and get free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot, and (hopefully) fix small appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more.
Clinics are held on the second Saturday of every month from noon to 4 p.m., with the last items accepted at 3:30 p.m. Events are first come, first served. No pre-registration required.
Upcoming Fix-it Clinics are scheduled for:
- Saturday, July 9 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 715 Minnetonka Mills Road, Hopkins
- Saturday, August 13 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Avenue South, Minneapolis
- Saturday, September 10 at Gramercy Park Cooperative, 6711 Lake Shore Dr. S, Richfield
Learn more and see the full schedule of 2022 Fix-It Clinics at hennepin.us/fixitclinic.
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Staffing shortages in the waste management industry have led to recent changes and disruptions in yard waste service. Hennepin County has several resources to help you manage yard waste:
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