Every spring, the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) coordinates with local governments and nonprofits to provide compost bins and rain barrels at low cost to Minnesota residents.
This year, the Environmental Resources Department partnered with RAM and will host a distribution event on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. Orders are placed online.The compost bins and rain barrels are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Compost Bin = $64 plus tax
- Made of sturdy, yet lightweight, 100% recycled plastic material
- Wide opening at the top – easy to add and view materials
- Lockable lid to deter animals
- Sliding doors on each side to monitor status of compost
- Assembled dimensions: 30" tall and 33" in diameter - holds 17 cubic feet of material
Rain Barrel = $79 plus tax
- The barrels are constructed of recycled, UV inhibited, BPA free polyethylene.
- The large opening and flat back design allow for easy installation and placement of the downspout while the spoke and wheel pattern in the top of the barrel keeps it child and pet safe.
- The aluminum mesh screen keeps out debris and mosquitoes.
- Assembled dimensions: 24″D x 24″W x 32″H - holds 45 gallons
Visit www.co.olmsted.mn.us/BinBarrelSale for more information about the sale.
Earthfest
Activities for the fourth annual Rochester Earthfest run April 16 - 22. This seven-day celebration features a variety of environmentally focused events at various locations around the area. Whether it's a Tinker Toy exhibit at the Minnesota Children's Museum - Rochester or the keynote address at the Earthfest Expo, this week offers something for everyone.
The week's main event, the Earthfest Expo, takes place Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Rochester Community and Technical College Field House. This FREE event will have interactive displays, exhibitors, speakers, children's activities, electric cars, and more! At 12:30 PM, Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Skoczlas Cole will deliver a keynote address regarding water conservation.
Visit www.earthfestrochestermn.org for more information.
Volunteer to Help Make Rochester A Litter Bit Better
Saturday, April 21 marks the start of the 12th annual Help Make Rochester A Litter Bit Better clean-up event. Volunteers, both individuals and groups, are encouraged to collect litter in Rochester anytime from April 21 – 28. Trash and recycling bags are provided. All you need to do is pick a location, pick a date, and pick it up!
Pick-up locations are still available. Registration information, maps and more can be found at www.RNeighbors.org/litterbitbetter. Participants can help encourage others to participate by sharing photos of their clean-up in action on Facebook using the tag #litterbitbetter.
Over 130 tons of litter have been picked up by volunteers in the past 11 years of A Litter Bit Better events. Not only have these efforts removed trash from the environment, they have also prevented litter as clean environments discourage littering.
Litter pickups are easy, rewarding, and fun. Be part of something big – register today!
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"Trash Mountain" 2017; photo by Anthony Wittmer
Trash Talk Presentation at Cascade Meadow
Location: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Cascade Meadow 2900 19th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Admission: Free
Whether you're looking to get rid of household garbage, an old washing machine, or a can of paint, Olmsted County's Integrated Solid Waste Management System provides a Proper Place For Your Waste.
This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the unique services provided by the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus, Hazardous Waste Facility, Yard Waste Compost Site, Waste-to-Energy Facility, and Kalmar Landfill. Time will be set aside to answer your garbage and recycling questions.
Celebrate Arbor Day in the Park
Rochester Public Utilities will host the 16th annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 27, 2018. The event will be held at Three Links - Silver Lake Park from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
The festivities include:
- Free admission
- Free hot dogs, chips, corn on the cob, cookies, soda, and water
- 2018 Arbor Day Poster Contest Award Ceremony
- Live music from Paul Mayasich and his band, Real American Made Music
- Free trees
- Giveaways
- Activities and games
Prizes will be given to participants who stop by the Environmental Resources booth to "give recycling a shot." In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved indoors to Rochester Community and Technical College's Field House. For more information, visit RPU's website.
With the potential to be especially harmful to people and the environment, it's important that hazardous materials are disposed of properly through a permitted facility/program. In our area, residents are encouraged to bring hazardous materials to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility (HWF) Monday - Saturday, from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
As an additional service, staff from the HWF, along with community volunteers and staff from neighboring counties, host annual household hazardous waste collections for the following communities in Olmsted County:
Oronoco Tuesday, May 1 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Oronoco Community Center 115 2nd St NW, Oronoco, MN 55960
Stewartville Tuesday, June 5 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM | St. John's Lutheran Church 111 2nd Ave NE, Stewartville, MN 55976
Eyota-Dover Tuesday, July 31 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | High School - East Parking Lot 615 South Ave, Eyota, MN 55934
Byron Tuesday, August 28 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Byron Fire Hall 707 Frontage Rd NW, Byron, MN 55920
Chatfield Tuesday, September 11 | 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Chatfield City Garage Alley off Main St between 3rd & 4th St, Chatfield, MN 55923
Ag waste pesticides CANNOT be accepted at these mobile collections. However, these wastes are accepted at the HWF. In addition, businesses CANNOT use this collection program. Visit our website to see which items you can and can't bring to a collection event.
County staff and volunteers collecting hazardous materials in Stewartville; photo by Anthony Wittmer
The temperature may not reflect it, but spring has arrived. And with the season of new beginnings comes the disposal of old belongings. If you've been wondering what to do with that old mattress taking up space in the spare bedroom, you're not alone. "Mattress," is one of the most popular searches in our Waste Wizard—our department's online disposal guide.
Residents can dispose of mattresses at the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus Monday - Saturday, from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The following fees apply:
Single/Twin = $12.00
Full, Double, Queen, King = $16.00
Once dropped off, mattresses are shredded and used as fuel in the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility. Remaining mattress coils can be extracted with a magnet and recycled. Businesses looking to dispose of mattresses should email pwservice@co.olmsted.mn.us.
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