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The next Minnesota Built Environment quarterly meeting is next week! We meet on December 7, from 1pm-3pm. Registration is helpful but not necessary.
Agenda topics include:
- National Build Reuse Conference recap-MN perspective
- Topic spotlight: Becker County’s waste diversion program
- Funding opportunities from MN and EPA
- Recommendation-specific updates:
- Deconstruction Training
- Waste Management Plan ordinance template
- GreenStep Cities workshop
- Get involved!
- Updates around Minnesota and other Built Environment stakeholders
Location: MS Teams
Dial-in number: 1-651-395-7448
Phone Conference ID: 900 511 255#
 Becker County (MN) staff diverts household items, repairs them for sale. Photo credit: Becker County, April 2021.
$119,000 available for MPCA waste reduction and reuse grants
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering Environmental Assistance (EA) grants for projects working to expand waste reduction and reuse, rental, and repair efforts around the state. Approximately $119,000 is available to Minnesota not-for-profit organizations, businesses, institutions, political subdivisions of the state, state agencies, and tribal governments.
Application deadline: Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Examples of eligible projects:
- Prevent or reduce waste through changes in product design, manufacturing, or production.
- Develop and implement training courses that provide skills-building for product repair or other processes that maintain the value of items to avoid or reduce new production.
- Purchase of reusable products and equipment that support the transition away from single-use alternatives.
- Pilot new opportunities or expand capacity for more reuse, rental, and/or repair in the community (e.g., fix-it clinics or repair cafes, sharing libraries, etc.).
Visit the MPCA Environmental Assistance webpage for more information.
$1M available to improve recycling and composting, increase reuse, in Greater Minnesota
The MPCA is now accepting applications for grant funding to help expand or improve recycling and composting programs in Greater Minnesota.
Eligible projects
Proposals for these grants must include projects that are locally administered, have an educational component with measurable outcomes, and include one or more of the following elements:
- Increase recycling or composting
- Reduce the amount of recyclable materials entering disposal facilities
- Reduce the costs associated with hauling waste by locating collection sites as close as possible to the site where the waste is generated
Minnesota counties, cities, townships, tribal communities or other political subdivisions outside the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area are encouraged to submit proposals for projects.
Applications are due by 2:00 p.m. January 11, 2022.
For more information, visit the grant webpage.
Ramsey County commercial and residential deconstruction grants program goes live
 Cabinets salvaged and for sale at Habitat for Humanity Restore, July 2020.
Do you live or work in Ramsey County and want to renovate your home or business? Deconstruction grants are available for up to $5,000 for residential properties and up to $10,000 for commercial properties. Property owners and developers may apply.
Learn more at the Recycling and Energy Deconstruction webpage.
 Materials diverted and sold at the Becker County Solid Waste Facility, 2021.
Now that the global Climate Conference (COP26) has wrapped up, there is increased interest in how built environment initiatives can benefit the effort connected to climate change. Check out what's new in Minnesota and around the world:
Minnesota "built environment" in the news:
Environmental justice & the built environment:
Landfill & material management concerns
Reuse of buildings, building materials
Deconstruction initiatives, success stories
Sustainable construction & building materials management
Best practices, policy developments
Email us at: demo.mpca@state.mn.us. Check out our website.
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