America Recycles Day - November 15
Since 1997, America Recycles Day (ARD) has provided an opportunity for communities across the United States to participate in events dedicated to promoting and celebrating the important role recycling plays in our lives.
Held annually on the 15th of November, ARD is a good reminder that recycling should be a daily habit throughout the year.
While recycling can vary by region, the "Top 10 In The Bin" list highlights items that are almost always accepted in a curbside recycling container.
Other items like plastic bags, electronics, and clothing can be recycled, just not in your curbside container. Visit olmstedwaste.com and give the Waste Wizard a try. This tool will help you find the proper place for your waste in Olmsted County.
To learn how you can get involved with ARD, visit AmericaRecyclesDay.org.
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ARD logo and recycling visuals used in compliance with Keep America Beautiful guidelines
Good decisions are based on knowledge. Our goal is to teach Olmsted County residents how to make the most of our resources through an understanding of how and why our Integrated Solid Waste Management System provides a proper place for waste.
A guest speaker from the Environmental Resources Department is available to come to your location. We tailor our presentation to a variety of audiences, whether it's an elementary school classroom interested in recycling, or an environmentally conscious retirement community.
We also provide group tours of the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility, Recycling Center Plus, Hazardous Waste Facility, and Yard Waste Compost Site. Visit our website to complete a speaker request form and to review our tour guidelines.
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THAT'S THIS FRIDAY!
The goal of the awards program is to promote innovative approaches to environmental challenges, encourage environmental thinking in business and farm decision making, and to develop an environmental and conservation ethic in Olmsted County.
To nominate your environmental hero, fill in this nomination form, and email it to Brittney Marschall by Friday, October 21, 2016. For more information about the awards, visit RPU's website.
Governor Mark Dayton has called upon Minnesotans to acknowledge the many ways water impacts our daily life, and the lives of future generations by taking the "Year of Water Action" Stewardship Pledge.
The pledge asks Minnesotans to affirm their commitment to:
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Rethink how water impacts daily life, and the lives of future generations
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Use water efficiently and wisely in everyday activities
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Learn more about what people can do to protect and preserve water
- Factor water use efficiency and protection into choices as a consumer
- Talk to others about clean water protection and preservation
Visit MN.gov to download a copy of the pledge and to learn more about the "Year of Water Action."
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Street sweepers in Rochester are displaying new signs with important messages. "The graphics on the street sweepers provide a great opportunity to identify the simple actions residents can take to help keep our streets and waterways clean," said Megan Moeller with the Rochester Public Works Department.
Trash that is loosely placed in a garbage container can easily blow out on a windy collection day. Bagging trash before it goes into the garbage container can drastically reduce unintentional litter.
Yard waste left in the curbline can travel through storm drains and impair water quality. When you sweep leaves and grass clippings back onto your lawn, you help preserve our water resources.
This fall, try mulching leaves as you mow your lawn. You will save the cost of added fertilizer, and save the time of disposing of yard waste. If your yard looks like image "D" in this article on raking leaves by the Washington Post, consider composting excess leaves on-site. If you can't compost leaves at home, bring them to the Olmsted County Yard Waste Compost Site.
From living rooms to decks, people often overestimate the amount of paint and stain they will need to finish a project. As a result, stockpiles begin to build in basements and garages. Paints and stains can be brought to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility free of charge.
Usable paints and stains are given a second life through the Hazardous Waste Facility Re-Use Center. The paint your neighbor dropped off could be exactly what you need to finish a project. Any products you find in the Re-Use Center are free for the taking.
Paints and stains can also be brought to a PaintCare® approved drop-off location. Some restrictions (disposal amounts per visit) apply. Visit paintcare.org for more information about the program.
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