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Building material reuse grants available
 When it’s time to remodel or demolish a building, many materials (about 85%!) could be reused or recycled.
Hennepin County offers building material reuse grants for the following projects:
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Residential deconstruction: Funding for residential properties built prior to 1970 to deconstruct and salvage building materials for reuse.
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Commercial deconstruction: Funding for commercial properties, including apartment buildings over 4 units, to deconstruct and salvage building materials for reuse.
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Structural moves: Funding to physically relocate a building to another location, avoiding demolition waste and preserving the cultural and historical integrity of the building.
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Used building material installation: Funding to “close the loop” by incorporating used building materials into remodeling, renovation, and new construction projects.
Funding to clean up contaminated sites
 3030 Nicollet Apartments received a spring 2022 ERF grant to install a soil-gas vapor mitigation system.
The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund provides funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment.
Applications for the spring grant round are due by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 1. Prior to applying, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
Application materials are available through the Supplier Portal.
ERF grants awarded February 2026
We recently awarded nine ERF grants totaling $2.25 million to fund soil cleanup, vapor mitigation and sampling, abatement activities, and assessment. The recommended grants will provide for the renovation or construction of 180 affordable housing units. Learn about the grants awarded.
Food rescue grants awarded
 Freezers and cold storage at Pillsbury United Communities, which were purchased with a previous food rescue grant.
The county recently awarded 8 grants totaling $300,000 to organizations to collect, process, and redistribute surplus edible food to county residents.
About 40% of food goes to waste in the U.S., wasting money and the resources that go into growing and transporting our food. At the same time, more people are experiencing food insecurity. Partnering with food recovery organizations to increase access to healthy, culturally relevant food is one way the county is working to eliminate health disparities and meet climate-action and zero-waste goals.
Organizations will use the grants for freezers, cold storage, staffing, partnerships, and transportation to rescue more food and serve people in need. These grants will prevent 8 million pounds of food waste annually. Learn more about the food rescue grants awarded.
On February 27, the new website launched. The website is designed to ensure services are easy to access and understand. The website features a streamlined design that improves navigation and search, is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to better support access for all website visitors, and is optimized for mobile devices.
Environmental content continues to be available on the new website, but links or navigation to the content may have changed. If you are having trouble finding something, email us at .
Arden Park named Minnesota Watersheds’ 2025 Project of the Year
 Looking for parks to explore this spring? Plan a visit to Arden Park in Edina! The park’s restoration, a joint effort between the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the City of Edina, and Hennepin County, was recently named Minnesota Watersheds’ Project of the Year. The project transformed the18-acre park into an urban oasis where visitors can walk, picnic, view wildlife, play, and wade or tube in a restored Minnehaha Creek.
“By focusing on not only the creek but also the surrounding landscape and community, Arden Park has become a regional amenity that protects water and connects the community to nature,” said Karen Galles, the county’s land and water unit manager.
Read the news release about the Arden Park restoration.
Oromo Diaspora Media improves recycling during Ramadan at Tawfiq Islamic Center
 Eticha, CEO of Oromo Diaspora Media, showing an overflowing recycling dumpster during Ramadan.
Oromo Diaspora Media received a Community Zero Waste Grant from Hennepin County to start recycling at three Oromo community sites. The Tawfiq Islamic Center made recycling available for the first time during the Ramadan holy month. From February 17 to March 19, over 600 water bottles were recycled per day.
Oromo Diaspora Media is also working to establish recycling at Ebenezer Oromo Evangelical Church and Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church. Oromo Diaspora Media CEO Eticha estimates this project will reach over 2,500 residents and help expose Muslim and Oromo Evangelical Communities to environmental programs in Hennepin County.
Cutting back on wasted food
Hennepin County Food Waste Prevention Specialist Jenny Kedward appeared on a recent episode of Spork the System to discuss the issue with wasted food and help the host cut back on her own food waste. Learn about the problem with food waste and get tips and resources from the county’s Trash or Cash campaign. Watch the full episode on YouTube or clips on Instagram.
Swap It: Outdoor Gear
Saturday, May 2 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Rockford Road Library in Crystal
Early drop-off only (no swapping) begins at 11 a.m. Final items accepted at 2 p.m.
 Bring gently used gear you no longer need. Take outdoor equipment you can use. Swap it—for free! The theme for this Swap-It event is outdoor gear. From camp stoves to coolers, sleeping bags to tents, there’s something for every camper and explorer. Let’s get outside!
Get details about accepted items and what to expect.
Backyard composting classes
 Start turning your food scraps and yard waste into compost—right in your own backyard. About 25% of what we throw away is organic materials like food, napkins and paper towels that could be put to better use as compost. Learn how to set up your compost pile, what materials you can compost, how to get the mix right, and more.
Online workshops
There is no charge to sign up, but registration is required.
- Friday, May 8 from noon to 1 p.m. Virtual on Microsoft Teams. Register.
- Tuesday, May 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. Virtual on Microsoft Teams. Register.
In-person classes
In-person classes are offered in partnership with Minneapolis Community Education.
- Monday, May 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Washburn High School. Register.
- Thursday, May 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Las Estrellas Dual Language Elementary. Register.
Learn more about composting at home.
Save the Food: Save money, time, and the planet
Thursday, April 9 from 7 to 8 p.m., virtual on Zoom
The Tangletown, Kingfield, and Lyndale neighborhood organizations are hosting a free workshop series as part of their Green Partners project focused on helpful tips to reduce food waste.
Join the first workshop to learn smart shopping strategies, simple kitchen habits, and storage tips that help your groceries last longer from Hennepin County Food Waste Prevention Specialist Jenny Kedward.
Register to attend a Save the Food workshop.
Donate used building materials
Many cities hold special pick up and drop off collection days in the spring. At the following events, you can also drop-off used building materials for donation. Get event guidelines and items accepted at city websites.
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Orono Public Works, April 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For residents of Orono, Long Lake, Spring Park, or Minnetonka Beach only. Learn more.
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Minnetrista Public Works, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For residents of Minnetrista and Mound only. Learn more.
Soil health and funding open house
Thursday, April 16 from 4 to 6 p.m., Independence City Hall, Community Room
Presentation at 4:30 p.m. Stop in any time.
 Have questions about conservation and improving your soil on your farm or rural property? Join Hennepin County conservation staff to talk about water and soil health practices, cost-share funding for a wide range of projects, and other financial and technical services available.
Jared House, soil programming coordinator with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, will present steps you can take to protect and build productive soils on your farm. Food provided during presentation. Pick up free native seed packets and sign up for free soil health testing.
RSVP to the soil health and funding open house.
 We toss nearly 40% of food in the U.S., wasting money and the resources that went into making our food.
When it comes to meal planning, what’s your style? Spontaneous? Super organized? Somewhere in between?
Understanding your meal planning superpowers and the tools that would benefit you most will help you waste less food, time, and money. Take the Meal Planning Personality Quiz to uncover your strengths and get tailored suggestions for how to improve.
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