 Renovating? Just finished a big home project? Give used building materials and tools another life at one of these events in July.
Salvage Crawl: July 13 to 31
12 retailer locations
Join treasure hunters and DIY enthusiasts to shop at local salvage retailers—and win prizes! See how to participate, a list of prizes, and retailer locations.
Swap-It – Building materials: July 16
5 to 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, Richfield. Early drop-off only beings at 4 p.m. (no swapping); final items accepted at 7 p.m.
Bring home remodeling stuff you no longer need. Take building materials you can use. Swap it—for free! The theme for this Swap-It event is building materials. From cabinets to countertops, tools to towel bars, there’s something for every home remodeler. Let’s do this!
Find Swap-it guidelines and items accepted. Remaining items will be donated to Better Futures MN and Architectural Antiques.
Furniture and building materials donation event: July 25
9 a.m. to noon at Hennepin County Public Works, 1600 Prairie Drive in Medina
Donate usable building materials, furniture, and mattresses in good condition to local organizations: Better Futures MN and Bridging. All materials will be vetted onsite for quality and potential for resale or redistribution. Only items listed on the accepted lists will be considered. Find furniture and building material donation event guidelines.
Why reuse building materials?
Building materials cost more than just money. Materials widely used in construction such as cement, aluminum, steel, and plastics have high climate impacts and significant reuse and recycling potential.
The energy and natural resources associated with manufacturing and transporting building materials are responsible for about 15% of annual global carbon emissions. Choosing used building materials instead of new also keeps valuable materials from going to a landfill.
As part of Hennepin County’s zero-waste efforts, these events give you accessible ways to reduce waste, share resources, and build community.
 Hennepin County offers grants for multifamily properties to start or improve recycling or organics recycling, reduce contamination, prevent waste, and educate residents on recycling and waste prevention. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until November 9 or until funds are depleted.
Application information
Areas of focus can include purchasing bins and compostable bags, paying for hauling costs, expanding waste enclosures or retrofitting chutes, managing or preventing the waste of bulky items, and educating residents. Applicants may apply for up to $3,000 for bins and compostable bags and up to $20,000 for all other categories combined.
If you have questions about grants, contact the apartment recycling program coordinator at apartmentrecycling@hennepin.us.
 Hennepin County works with residents and partners to permanently protect natural areas with conservation easements. These protected lands support rare and endangered wildlife, improve water quality by keeping sensitive shorelines intact, and protect oxygen-producing forests – benefits that entire neighborhoods and communities enjoy. With nearly 80% of land in Hennepin County privately owned, the cooperation of conservation-minded private landowners is crucial to preserving these community benefits.
Watch our new video to learn more about the benefits of conservation easements (YouTube).
Compost provided for free to schools with organics programs
In May, we provided 46 yards of free compost to 22 schools in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and St. Louis Park that have an organics recycling program! We partnered with Dakota Prairie Composting to provide the compost.
The finished compost helps “close the loop” by showing students the result of their organics recycling efforts and expresses gratitude to the schools that helped generate it. The compost will be used in vegetable and pollinator gardens and as a source of nutrients for flowers and trees on school grounds.
Lyndale Neighborhood Association hosts Wheels and Bike Rodeo
 With support from a Community Zero Waste grant, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association hosted their Wheels and Bike Rodeo in Minneapolis in May. Throughout the day, volunteers connected with residents about recycling, reuse, waste reduction, and simple ways to make more sustainable choices at home.
To help neighbors keep their bikes rolling smoothly, the association partnered with a repair specialist from Perennial Cycle to offer free bike repairs and consultation. More than 10 bikes were brought back to life during the event, keeping them out of the trash and rolling for another season.
Over 75 people visit gravel-bed tree nursery during open house
 Hennepin County foresters welcomed more than 75 people to an early June open house at the county’s tree nursery in Plymouth. Participants toured the gravel beds and learned how this unique growing method strengthens bare-root trees for long-term survival. Foresters also offered guidance on selecting the right trees for different sites, shared best practices for tree care, discussed planting stock management, and highlighted available educational resources.
Both the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee and Green Cities Accord held meetings on site, giving members a chance to see the gravel bed system in action. Multiple media outlets were in attendance. Watch the segment on Fox 9.
Conservation easement event and tour in Minnetrista
 About 15 local landowners connected with county staff and each other at a conservation easement in Minnetrista earlier this month. Staff shared information about the county’s easement program, answered questions, and led a wildlife-focused nature walk. Thank you to landowner David Gillette and his family for hosting the event on their conservation easement and to Commissioner Anderson for his support! Learn more at HennepinCounty.gov/land-protection.
Good Steward grant supports Earth Day cleanup and leading Adopt-a-Drain efforts in Minneapolis
 Despite cold, windy weather, 234 volunteers turned out on Earth Day to collect more than 1,100 gallons of trash across the Hill and Lake neighborhoods in Minneapolis. Thanks to ongoing cleanups and the Adopt-a-Drain program, residents are helping keep debris out of local lakes and boosting East Isles to one of the highest drain adoption rates in the nation. Their collective efforts show how small, consistent actions make a big impact on our watershed and community. Read more in the Hill & Lake Press.
Waterway Art
July 16 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Four Sisters Market, 1414 E Franklin Ave in Minneapolis
 As part of the Sacred Water, Shared Future campaign celebrating 100 years of progress restoring the Mississippi River, join us to learn, reflect, and act in honoring Dakota stewardship of this land.
Learn about storm drains and sewer systems and how they connect to our lakes, streams, and rivers – reinforcing the reality that what enters our streets often reaches sacred waters. Help raise awareness by decorating storm drains around the neighborhood. Registration is not required.
Holiday hours at Hennepin County drop-off facilities
 In recognition of the Independence Day holiday, Hennepin County drop-off facilities will be closed on Saturday, July 4. We will be open Friday, July 3.
 Care for your trees
 The first 3 years are everything for newly planted trees. Use these simple care steps to keep your trees healthy.
- Water your trees weekly. Keep the soil wet but not soaked. Make sure water gets down to the roots by using 15 to 20 gallons. We recommend using a water bag for consistent watering. If it’s hot or dry, water more often.
- Add mulch to lock in moisture. Keep it away from the trunk of the tree: think donut, not volcano.
- Protect from rabbits, mice, and voles by using a tree trunk protector.
Take care of your tree now and enjoy shade, beauty, and cleaner air for years to come. Want a deeper dive? County forester Dan joined WCCO at a recent Minneapolis planting to share tips on tree planting and care. Check out the segment.
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