Provide comments on the draft plan by March 20
 The draft Hennepin County Zero Waste Plan (PDF) is available for the public to review and provide comments.
The plan outlines how we will accomplish our goals of creating a system where all materials are designed to become resources for others to use and preventing 90% or more of all discarded materials from being landfilled or incinerated.
Provide comments in the following ways:
Take the survey
The survey walks through the plan’s goal, aims, and key actions, gathers feedback on level of support for these items, and provides opportunities to offer specific comments.
Attend an online community meeting
Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
At the meeting, county staff and the consultant that helped develop the plan will briefly present the plan’s goal, aims, and key proposed actions. Participants will then have the opportunity to provide feedback on their level of support for the aims and actions. Participants will also be able to ask questions of the presenters and make verbal or written comments. Register to attend.
If you are unable to attend, the presentation will be recorded and posted online at BeHeardHennepin.org.
Share ideas and get questions answered online
Join the conversation and provide input at your convenience on BeHeardHennepin.org. You can post ideas or ask questions that will be answered by the Zero Waste Plan team.
Next steps
We welcome your thoughts on the plan. Comments submitted by March 20 will be considered by the Zero Waste Plan team as the plan is finalized. In addition, a summary of the survey and verbatim comments will be shared with commissioners and back to the public when the final plan is shared with commissioners.
First year of biological monitoring provides insights
2022 marked the start of an effort by Hennepin County staff to conduct biological monitoring on county properties and conservation easements across the county.
The initial year of data collection was vital to inventorying the species present in the county and establishing a baseline of what species are using permanently protected lands. This data will be used to inform our habitat restoration and management decisions.
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Biological monitoring is how we assess the changes in ecosystems over time. By monitoring how plant and animal communities change, we can measure our successes and tailor management plans to create healthier ecosystems that are home to a diversity of species and resilient to climate change.
As a bonus, photos collected in the field of the wide variety of the county’s plants and animals are a great educational opportunity.
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In 2022, surveys of birds, reptiles, amphibians, small and large mammals, butterflies, and dragonflies were conducted on five different properties. Staff observed 197 different species of animals across all five sites, including:
- 97 species of birds
- 38 species of dragonflies
- 32 species of butterflies
- 19 species of mammals
- 11 species of reptiles and amphibians
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Several of the species observed, such as bobolinks and black-billed cuckoos, have been identified by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as rare or declining in population.
In 2023 and beyond, plant surveys and pollinator surveys will be added to our biological monitoring efforts. Once baselines are established, each site will be re-evaluated every three to five years to monitor changes in species composition.
Learn more about our work to protect and restore habitat. For more information, contact Nicole Witzel at nicole.witzel@hennepin.us.
In February, Hennepin County awarded 10 Environmental Response Fund grants totaling $2 million. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup.
Environmental Response Fund grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County. Since funding began in 2001, 448 grants totaling $66.6 million have been awarded.
The improved properties benefit us all by:
- Increasing the tax base
- Enhancing green space
- Keeping community in place to enjoy the improvements
- Creating permanent jobs
- Creating affordable and moderately priced housing
Learn more about grants awarded, and read more about the Environmental Response Fund in the Star Tribune.
Applications being accepted for spring 2023 grants
Applications for the spring 2023 Environmental Response Fund grant round are due by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 1.
Prior to applying for a grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs. Application materials will be available through the Supplier Portal.
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With all the plastic in the world, it’s easy to wonder how our individual actions matter. But when taken together, our actions to reduce our own plastic use can have a significant collective impact. Nearly 1,550 people participated in Hennepin County’s Plastic-Free Challenge in February, and their efforts showed big results!
 Together, participants completed 12,380 actions to reduce their reliance on plastics. Impacts of these actions include:
- Preventing over 5,200 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions
- Eating over 2,100 zero-waste meals
- Avoiding over 9,200 plastic straws, cups, cutlery, and bottles from being trashed
- Preventing over 472 pounds of plastic packaging waste
- Picking up over 1,000 pieces of litter
- Spending more than 5,500 minutes learning how to live a low-waste lifestyle
Working to reduce the plastic in your life is an ongoing challenge, so it's important to celebrate your successes, no matter how small! Each win can help motivate you to make the next, and together our impacts add up.
Participate in future challenges
The Plastic-Free Challenge may be over for this year, but there will be more opportunities to stay involved! Check out our Zero Waste Challenge webpage for information on what is coming up and sign up to be notified about future challenges.
Whether you are a new parent (to kids or pets) or have many years of practice under your belt, you know that raising a family can add to your household waste. By sticking to the basics and choosing secondhand, durable, and natural materials, you can limit the amount of waste your family creates.
New baby or pet gear
When gearing up for a new baby, avoid being overwhelmed by “essentials” lists and all the baby products available. Stick to the basics by considering if you can repurpose what you already have and find other things you need secondhand from friends, neighbors, or reuse stores.
The same goes for new pets – you can use non-pet specific items such as bowls for food and water, blankets, cushions and old pillows for bedding, and regular towels for wiping paws. Many other items can be found secondhand.
Clothing and equipment
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Babies and young kids grow quickly and often don’t wear out their clothes, shoes, and accessories, which means gently used items are plentiful at secondhand stores, garage sales, online sale sites or from friends and family. The same is true for sports equipment or other specialized gear. Pet clothing, boots, and costumes are popular items for reuse, too!
Toys
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Choose fewer, more durable toys and opt for natural materials when possible. Rotate toys to increase novelty and consider swapping with friends, family, or neighbors. When toys break, extend their life by repairing them, which can also be a great learning opportunity for kids!
Boredom can lead our pets to destructive behaviors that cause waste down the line - chewing clothing, shoes, rugs, scratching couches and chairs, and more! Keep your pet entertained and reduce waste by looking for stuffed animals at local thrift stores, hiding treats in cardboard boxes or egg cartons, or using durable toys or puzzles that you can fill with food and reuse many times.
Snacks and treats
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Life can be hectic in a busy household, so grabbing single-serve, plastic-wrapped snacks can be tempting. Cut back by swapping for unpackaged fruits and veggies, buying snacks from the bulk section at the grocery store, or repacking your own single portions with reusable containers or refillable squeeze pouches.
For your pets, search the Internet or ask your vet about human foods that are safe in moderation for pets, as you may be able to replace some prepackaged treats with items that you can buy loose or in bulk quantities, such as carrots or apples. There are also many recipes for pet treats that you can make to avoid packaging.
Learn more
Get more tips for reducing waste as a new parent and with your pets on Hennepin County Choose to Reuse.
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