Success Stories:
White Bear Lake Schools Recycle and Reuse Supplies
At
the end of the school year, there are often supplies left over that students
can either recycle or reuse. A few White Bear Lake schools had great success in
capturing those supplies in a locker cleanout. In 2015, Otter Lake Elementary
had 290 students collect 1,700 pounds of recyclables and reusables over a
six-day period at the end of the year. At Sunrise Park Middle School, 8th
graders diverted 84% of unwanted supplies from the trash. Often little actions
can make a big difference!
HED Cycling Recycles
Industry-Specific Waste
HED Cycling, a Roseville based
manufacturer of bicycle wheels and components, creates a lot of industry-specific
waste. They wanted a better solution to dispose of the scrap metal, plastic
film, pallets and fluids. By working with Ramsey County and Minnesota Waste
Wise, they found specific recyclers to take their waste. Additionally, Waste
Wise led a staff training to educate employees on the importance of recycling
and best practices.
HED Cycling now recycles about 420 pounds of
plastic film and plastic banding annually. They also recycle at least 20 pounds
of metal monthly, seeing an overall savings of about $3,600 annually. To learn
more about recycling at work, visit BizRecycling.com.
News You Can Use:
Borrow Educational Kits and Games for Free
Planning an Earth Day activity
for your class or community group? Check out a hands-on kit or game from Ramsey
County! Materials are geared towards middle elementary students through adults.
Appropriate handouts are available to accompany the materials.
Teach about backyard composting, household hazardous waste,
organics recycling or recycled products. Conduct fun activities with the can
cube guessing game, relay recycling game, trivia prize wheel or the recycle
fishing game.
There is no charge to borrow the kits, and they are
available for one week at a time. The kits and games must be reserved in
advance using the website or by calling
651-266-1199.
Materials are picked up and returned to
Environmental Health at 2785 White Bear Ave. N., Suite 350, Maplewood, MN 55109.
Recycle Plastic Bags at Drop-off Locations, Not in Your Cart
Many
of us have lots of plastics bags at home and want to recycle them. But did you
know they are not accepted with curbside recycling? That's right. They can get caught in the
sorting machines at recycling facilities. Bring them to a drop-off location
instead. For locations, go to PlasticFilmRecycling.org.
Ramsey County Updates Solid Waste Master Plan
Ramsey
County is currently working on its solid waste master plan update as required
by state statute every six years. The
plan is a useful tool for counties, cities and the waste industry to guide
strategies for handling the garbage we generate in our communities. Rather than
just “throw it away”, our approach involves utilizing advances in technology
that allow waste to be used for energy and other resources. Look for updates
and opportunities to provide comments to the plan on our master plan web page.
Buy a Compost Bin at a Discount
Thinking
about composting in your backyard? You can purchase a compost bin for $64, plus
tax. And Ramsey County residents get $20 off! Go to www.recycleminnesota.org
and enter promo code “Ramsey” or call 651-641-4589. Then pick up your
pre-ordered bin on April 29 in Maplewood, or find more dates and locations at www.recycleminnesota.org.
Visit the Ramsey County Plant Sale, May 20
The
2017 Ramsey County Plant Sale, hosted by the county's Master Gardeners, will be
held on Saturday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at "The Barn," which
is located at 2020 White Bear Avenue in Maplewood. The sale features hundreds of native plants,
perennials for sun and shade, tomatoes, herbs, hostas and more – all grown by
expert gardeners. You will also find winning
plants from the Minnesota seed trials.
Did you know?
Residential
Organic Waste Collection is on the Rise in Ramsey County
Organic waste includes food
waste and non-recyclable paper products, such as pizza boxes and napkins. Ramsey County began collecting organic waste
from residents at six county yard waste sites in 2014. Since then, the yard waste sites have seen a
116 percent increase in participation and volume of organic waste collected.
Over 1,259,000 pounds of organic waste has
been collected since 2014, almost half of which was collected in 2016. An
additional organic waste collection site was added mid-2016 in the Como
Park/District 10 neighborhood in Saint Paul. This location is open 24/7 and currently
receives approximately 6,000 pounds of organic waste per week.
Ramsey County
plans to install more 24/7 organic waste drop-off locations, including one at
the Maplewood Community Center parking lot scheduled to open in 2017. For more
information on site locations and hours, please visit RamseyRecycles.com/organicwaste.
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