 Building materials discarded at C&D landfill, October 2019
Phase II of the RAP Process: summary
MPCA staff will take the next six months or so to draft rule language and/or rule concepts, and the rationale for the new Construction and Demolition (C&D) landfill rules. This will be our opportunity to take what we have learned from the Rule Advisory Panel (RAP) and apply it to the rulemaking process. We may reach out to the RAP during this break for input or guidance through emails, short virtual meetings or phone calls. When we have drafted rule language or concepts we will communicate back to the RAP what we have developed through narrative descriptions, flow charts, and draft rule language or general rule concepts.
Reengagement with the RAP may include virtual or in-person meetings. The RAP members will review and advise on rule language and rule concepts, problem solve as needed and generally share their expertise prior to MPCA putting draft rules on public notice.
If there are questions about the C&D Rule Advisory Panel, please contact Greg Kvaal.
Becker County, with its partners Better Futures Minnesota and the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota – Duluth, partnered to divert household goods and building materials from the landfill. Better Futures Minnesota’s waste diversion and reuse pilot with Becker County included two sale events where materials diverted from the waste stream were offered to local citizens for purchase. More than 300 diverted items were sold between the two sales generating more than $2,700 in revenue. In total, more than three tons of waste was saved from entering the landfill.
This Better Futures and Becker County Pilot project won the 2021 Environmental Initiative Award, within the “Rural Vitality” category. Congratulations!
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EPA Region 5 is excited to announce its 2021 Request for Applicants for Sustainable Materials Management projects!
EPA Region 5 (R5) estimates funding for Sustainable Materials Management projects will be available later this year. Funding is contingent upon availability, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. Projects should plan to start October 1st, 2021. Available funding is anticipated to be between $100,000 and up to $150,000 with funding for approximately three grants and/or cooperative agreements ranging in value from $30,000 to $60,000.
Under this request for application (RFA), R5 is are asking that applicants address municipal and/or industrial recycling markets in Region 5.
In order to address this challenge, R5 is soliciting projects that will encourage collaboration and coordination across R5 geographies, organizations, and/or businesses to enhance local recycling systems, making them stronger and more agile to address changing materials markets. Please refer to the full RFA for the complete priority descriptions, determine if you are eligible to apply, review the application submission procedures, review evaluation criteria, etc.
If you have questions, please submit them to Susan Vescovi. She will address them directly and post the Q&As posted every Friday during the competition on the grant website. The opportunity will close June 1st, 11:59 pm (ET) 2021.
Hennepin County grants to salvage building materials
Hennepin County has funding available for building projects that use deconstruction techniques instead of standard demolition to remove materials during the removal or renovation of a building. In a deconstruction project, a building is taken apart mostly by hand, and materials are sorted into categories for efficient recycling and reuse. Deconstruction prevents usable materials from going to the landfill, makes used building materials available to the community, provides additional jobs, and supports local reuse retailers. Property owners and developers can receive up to $5,000 to help offset the additional time and labor costs associated with deconstruction. Grants are available for projects on residential properties located in Hennepin County that are 500 square feet or larger on structures built prior to 1970. Learn more and apply at Hennepin County's Deconstruction page or contact Olivia Cashman.
 Minnesota GreenCorps, an AmeriCorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), is looking for motivated, service-minded individuals to improve the environment and build community resilience throughout the state. The MPCA is recruiting 50 full-time members to serve for 11 months, from September 2021 to August 2022. Members are placed at local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions statewide.
Members serve on projects:
- Reducing air pollutants by encouraging green transportation, electric vehicles, and building retrofits.
- Conducting community outreach and education on environmental stewardship practices.
- Implementing green infrastructure improvements to reduce stormwater runoff and improve habitat.
- Reducing waste by implementing recycling and organics programs and encouraging material reuse.
MN GreenCorps members receive a bi-weekly living allowance, health insurance, student loan forbearance, and an education award that may be used for future education expenses or qualified student loans.
Visit the MN GreenCorps website to learn more about the program, review position summaries, and apply online. Applications are due Tuesday, June 15. Contact mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us with questions.
 Toilets for sale at Better Futures MN (February 2020).
Sustainable building material management topics continue to be a hot topic in the news! We've selected the BEST articles to share with you.
In the spotlight: Forget The Wrecking Ball — Pittsburgh Officials Will Test Out Deconstruction (Pennsylvania)
Minnesota "built environment" news:
Preservation and building renovation:
Deconstruction news:
Sustainable building material management: reuse and recycling:
Sustainable construction/materials:
Sustainable "built environment" system developments
| Rules Advisory Panel contact: |
Sustainable Building Group contact: |
| Greg Kvaal, Engineer |
Annika Bergen, Administrator |
| greg.kvaal@state.mn.us |
annika.bergen@state.mn.us |
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| Melissa Wenzel, Built Environment Sustainability Administrator, is on leave through 6/30/2021 working for MDH on Covid19-related activities. |
Have suggestions, ideas, or questions for our team? Check out both programs' website or email us at: demo.mpca@state.mn.us.
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