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ABOUT GREENNOTES
GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.
Please take a few moments to read our stories. Share your feedback and ideas for protecting the environment.
- Choose to Reuse coupons available
- Locations added for medicine disposal
- Resources available for apartment recycling
- Environmental education funding available
- Receive a gift card for recycling a mercury-containing item
- Purchase water-saving equipment
- In the News: Become a Master Recycler/Composter
- Events: Fix-It Clinics
- Green Tip: Properly dispose of yard waste
Please forward this email to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up.
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Choose to Reuse Coupons Available October 1
 Hennepin County is partnering with 80 local retailers to offer Choose to Reuse coupon books valid from October 1 through November 30, 2012. Shopping reuse gets you great deals on quality products, plus it supports local businesses and protects the environment. Last year, almost 30,000 coupons were redeemed at local businesses and organizations that rent, repair, resell, consign and exchange used goods. Pick up a Choose to Reuse coupon book at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County Libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations, or download a copy online. Get more information and find reuse options using the Choose to Reuse online directory at www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse or call 612-348-3777. Medicine disposal drop boxes available in three new locations
 Hennepin County residents now have more options to dispose of their unwanted medicines. Medicine drop boxes have been added in three new locations. A total of six medicine drop boxes are now available throughout the county, located in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and Spring Park.
The expansion builds upon the initial success of the medicine disposal program. Hennepin County has collected more than 2,000 pounds of medicines in the first five months of the medicine disposal drop-box program. Properly disposing of unused medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the environment.
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Free resources and assistance available to establish and improve recycling programs in apartment buildings, condos and townhomes
Resources are also available for residents interested in becoming advocates for recycling in their buildings. Recycling outreach and activity ideas, recycling talking points, recycling pledge forms, newsletter articles, and more are available for recycling advocates.
Environmental education funding and project support available
 Funding, project support and free resources are available through the Green Partners Environmental Education Program for organizations to implement projects that empower residents to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce toxicity, conserve energy and protect water quality. Eligible organizations include youth groups, congregations, neighborhood groups, multicultural organizations, private and public schools and park districts.
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The Green Partners Program consists of three groups with varying levels of support and requirements:
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Seed Group: Receive free field trip transportation and activity supplies.
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Root Group: Receive up to $8,000 to implement a project based on existing resources.
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Branch Group: Receive up to $15,000 to implement an innovative project.
Root and Branch group project proposals are due November 16, 2012. Applications for the Seed group are accepted at any time.
Receive a gift certificate for recycling a mercury-containing item at a Hennepin County drop-off facility
Hennepin County and Covanta Energy Corporation are partnering to encourage residents to properly dispose of mercury-containing items. Starting October 2, residents who dispose of a mercury-containing item at a Hennepin County Drop-off Facility will receive a $5 Menards gift certificate from Covanta Energy as a thank you for helping to keep mercury out of the environment. Mercury in the environment is a concern because exposure to it can be harmful to humans and wildlife. Mercury-containing items that are accepted include thermostats, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, jars of mercury, skin-lightening creams, antique clocks, barometers and mirrors, and vintage toys, sports equipment and recreation items. Learn more about the program and acceptable items. Reduce water use by purchasing water-saving equipment
In the News
Volunteer to help the environment as a Master Recycler/Composter
Master Recycler/Composters are trained volunteers that work to reduce waste generation and increase public awareness of opportunities to recycle and compost. Master Recycler/Composters take a six-week training course where they learn from industry experts about waste reduction, recycling and composting, then volunteer at least 30 hours in their communities. The fall 2012 Master Recycler/Composter training course starts October 2, and applications for the course are still being accepted!
Learn about the program and one of the Master Recycler/Composter’s volunteer project on KSTP. Events
Hennepin County Fix-It Clinic
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Have broken household goods or clothing in need of repair? Hennepin County is holding Fix-It Clinics in which volunteer fixers offer free guided assistance to help attendees fix and repair their broken household items.
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Fix-It Clinics are being held on the following dates:
During the first Fix-It Clinic on September 15, residents and volunteer fixers worked to repair 23 items, diverting 190 pounds of materials from the waste stream. Items repaired included an alarm clock, antique radio, DVD/VCR player, hair dryer, sewing machine and TV converter box. At the sewing station, fixers helped repair clothing, shorten a curtain, repair a cloth doll and patch a sleeping bag.
Volunteers needed
Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working, and general tinkering are needed to make this initiative a success.
For more information or to volunteer, email Nancy Lo or call 612-348-9195. Green Tip
Properly dispose of yard waste
As you begin raking leaves and preparing your yard for winter, make sure you know how to properly dispose of your yard waste. Remember, it is illegal to dispose of yard and tree waste in the trash. |
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Take the following steps to properly manage your yard waste:
- Use curbside pickup or drop-off sites. Contact your city recycling coordinator or waste hauler or check www.hennepin.us/yardwaste for options.
- If you bag your yard waste, make sure you use compostable bags.
- Start composting in your backyard and turn yard and food waste into a nutrient-rich soil additive. Leaves can be added to the pile as “brown” material to maintain the proper balance with “green” food waste.
- Keep grass clippings and leaves out of the street – Leave them on your lawn, compost them, or bag them up. Grass clippings and leaves left in the street end up in the storm sewer, where they are carried to nearby lakes and streams. The phosphorus and other nutrients in yard waste can cause excess algae growth that can negatively impact other plants and wildlife and can be unsafe for pets. Learn more about lawn care practices that protect water quality.
- Prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer by taking ash tree waste to the nearest disposal site (within the quarantine area of Hennepin and Ramsey counties).
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