Planted trees: Held our biggest tree planting season yet, with 1,100 trees planted

Awarded grants for environmental projects: Awarded $5.1 million in grants to 144 of partners to clean up pollution, improve recycling, motivate environmental action, plant trees, preserve habitat, prevent waste, and more

Supported green jobs: Hired 4 interns for our inaugural Green Pathways Program

Promoted repair: Celebrated 10 years of Fix-It Clinics

Provided drop-offs: Served 137,000 households at drop-off facilities and collection events to ensure safe disposal and recycling

Prevented the spread of aquatic invasive species: Recognized over 100,000 uses of tools to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species at public boat accesses

Expanded organics recycling: Residential organics recycling is now offered in all cities

Promoted waste prevention: Engaged more than 1,400 people through the Stop Food Waste and Plastic-Free Challenges to avoid over 5,000 pounds of plastic items and prevent nearly 1,000 pounds of food waste

Protected water: Celebrated 10,000 storm drain adopters, with over 19,000 drains adopted

Planned a zero-waste future: Drafted actions for the Zero Waste Plan – 59 actions were developed by 167 work group participants based on feedback from more than 1,000 residents

Ensured businesses properly manage hazardous waste: Licensed 5,090 businesses and conducted 1,266 compliance inspections

Protected habitat: Worked with landowners to protect and restore habitat

Trained volunteers: Trained 92 new Community Recycling Ambassadors

Reopened education tours of waste facilities: Gave 11 tours to 99 participants

Plastics can be a hassle – they create clutter and can be confusing to recycle – plus they contribute to litter, harm water and wildlife, and have largely unknown health impacts for us.

Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to help create a plastic-free world, from learning more about plastic waste and recycling to making simple swaps to advocating for changes in your community and sharing your story with others.

Be part of the solution to reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, address climate change, and look after the health of ourselves and future generations by joining the Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge.

About the Plastic-Free Challenge

The Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort to reduce plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint.

The online challenge has 70 actions you can choose from in seven categories. Sign up opens on January 1, and the challenge runs during the month of February.

Once you sign up and create your profile, you can browse the categories and actions, check off the actions you already take, and select up to five one-time actions and five daily actions to make progress on during the four-week challenge.

You can also create a team to take the challenge along with your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Or encourage an organization, business, or community group you are a part of to become a Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge Partner.

Learn more, sign up, and get ready to go plastic-free at hennepinplasticfree.ecochallenge.org.

In 2023, the Master Recycler/Composter program is rebranding to Community Recycling Ambassadors. This new name better reflects our efforts to reduce disparities and serve all residents in all areas, including waste reduction and recycling.

What are Community Recycling Ambassadors?

Community Recycling Ambassadors are trained on waste prevention, recycling, composting, and effective communication and engagement skills through a six-week course taught by industry experts and community leaders. Once training is complete, participants commit to volunteering 30 hours putting their skills to work on projects and activities that minimize waste and provide waste reduction, recycling and composting education.

Why the change?

The word “master” has negative associations with plantation slavery in the U.S. We are moving away from its use because the county is committed to confronting racism, creating systems that build equity, and creating a future where all residents thrive.

We are working to update all webpages and resources with the new name. This will take some time, so you may see both the new and old name for a while.

Become a Community Recycling Ambassador in 2023

Two rounds of Community Recycling Ambassador trainings will be offered in 2023:

• Wednesdays, February 15 through March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a hybrid class with the option to join virtually via Zoom or in-person at the Northeast Recreation Center in Minneapolis
• Thursday, June 15 through July 27 from noon to 2 p.m. This class will be held virtually via Zoom.

The application for the spring class will be open from Monday, January 23 through Sunday, February 5. Check the webpage for details or sign up to be notified when the application opens.

Recycle at home

Boxes: Empty and flatten boxes before putting them in the recycling. If you have a lot of boxes, check with your hauler for options or bring to a Hennepin County drop-off facility.

Paper: Recycle packing paper, cards, and envelopes made of plain paper, and newspaper, Kraft paper, or other plain paper used as gift wrap. Flatten paper before recycling.

Bring to a drop-off for recycling

Plastic bags, film, shipping envelopes made entirely of plastic, and bubble wrap: Make sure plastic bags and film are clean and dry and deflate plastic air pillows. Bring to a retail or grocery stores (find locations) or to a Hennepin County drop-off facility.

String lights, electronics, and batteries: Bring to a Hennepin County drop-off facility for recycling or proper disposal. Find additional options for disposing of common household items on the Green Disposal Guide.

Special pick-up or yard waste site

Real Christmas trees, wreaths, and greenery: Check with your hauler or city for special pickup services or bring to a yard waste site. Remove everything before disposing.

Trash (or reuse!)

Trees, wreaths, and greenery with flocking or glitter: Trees, wreathes, and other greenery that has flocking (a covering of artificial snow), glitter, or other decorations that cannot be removed should go in the trash. Save artificial trees and wreaths for reuse or look for options to give them away or donate them.

Gift wrap and decorations: Glossy, shiny, or glittery wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows and ribbons, and cards that have glitter, foil, or plastic adornments all go in the trash. Avoid the waste by saving these items for reuse or choosing greener wrapping options in the future!

Packing materials: Put Styrofoam^TM in the trash or save for future packing needs. Shipping envelopes made of multiple materials, such as paper and bubble wrap, go in the trash.

Getting used winter gear is both good for the environment and a better deal than purchasing new items at full price. If you know where to look, there are plenty of secondhand options to outfit you for all the winter activities you want to enjoy. See our Choose to Reuse winter gear article to find what’s right for you this snowy season to stay cozy while adventuring outside.