Success Stories:
IPS Cranes Saves Big by Recycling
Local business IPS Cranes wanted to
improve recycling efforts at their corporate office and distribution warehouse
in Vadnais Heights. They already had a single-sort recycling program in place, however
they felt they could be recycling even more of their waste. They contacted BizRecycling
for help. BizRecycling works with interested businesses of all sizes in
Ramsey and Washington counties to start or improve their recycling or organics
programs.
BizRecycling
connected IPS Cranes with recycling experts who visited the business to do a
complete waste assessment. The recycling experts found that a fair amount of
recyclable material, including plastic film, was ending up in the trash. The
recycling experts helped connect IPS Cranes with a local company that recycles
plastic film. They also helped IPS Cranes apply for a BizRecycling Grant!
The grant was used to purchase recycling bins for each employee's desk, and a
recycling station for the staff break room.
IPS Cranes now collects close to 3,000 pounds of
recyclables a year, with nearly 360 pounds of it being plastic film. With more recycling
taking place, their trash volume has decreased. With less-frequent trash
pickups, they are saving $150 a month on their trash bill! The company is so
pleased with their recycling success that they encourage their customers and
vendors to connect with the BizRecycling program to find ways they can recycle
and save money. Recycling has truly become a part of the company culture at IPS
Cranes.
White Bear Lake Schools Reduce Lunch Waste
White Bear Lake Area Schools have improved and expanded their food-to-hogs
program at all 13 of their schools. The district has also made the switch
to reusable lunch trays in every school and has even started milk carton
recycling. Hats off to White Bear Lake Area Schools for making positive
changes!
News You Can Use:
Give Clothes a Second Chance
Looking
to get rid of the clothes you no longer wear? Or refresh your wardrobe? If you
are a thrifty or eco-conscious shopper, you probably already take advantage of
garage sales, local consignment stores and clothing swaps with family and
friends. But what about online options? Most online consignment stores make
shopping and consigning simple and convenient. In addition to the ever-popular
eBay, there is ThredUp, which focuses on everyday brands
for women, men and children. While Poshmark lets
you manage your own listings, Vestiaire Collective and
The
RealReal, are geared for higher-end brands. Whatever option you choose, choose to reuse! You
will feel good about doing good for others and saving money, while keeping good
clothes out of the trash.
Bright Idea from Right Light App
With
many more options for LED (light emitting diode) lighting on store shelves, you
may be overwhelmed with finding the right bulb. Luckily the Clean Energy
Resource Teams and the University of Minnesota Extension teamed up to create
the Right
Light App, a free tool that helps people find just the bulb they
need. It will take you step by step to choose the shape, color and brightness
of the bulb and make helpful suggestions along the way. Check it out!
Master Plan Update
The Ramsey County Solid Waste Management Master Plan for 2018-2038 was adopted by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on October 10 and has been forwarded to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for approval.
The Ramsey County Solid Waste Management Master Plan (Master Plan) is a policy-based community “blueprint” for the solid waste system that supports healthy people, a healthy economy and a healthy environment. The Master Plan guides how we reduce waste, increase recycling and divert waste from landfills and outlines how we work with residents, businesses and partners to meet state and county goals.
Don’t Trash It, Mend It!
Remember that beloved Hawaiian shirt you bought ten years
ago? The one with the toucans that you ripped during the family reunion
badminton tournament in 2009? Don’t let it sit in your closet torn and unworn
any longer. Bring it to a Fix-it Clinic!
In addition to repairing general household items like
toasters, lamps and radios, Ramsey County Fix-it Clinics offer FREE MENDING. At
Fix-it Clinics, volunteer sewers repair broken zippers, mend tears, patch
holes, hem jeans, replace zippers and more! They will also teach you valuable
sewing skills, such as threading a needle, sewing on a button and ripping out a
seam.
So, dig out that Hawaiian toucan shirt and bring it to the
next Fix-it Clinic. We’ll help you repair it for FREE!
Wentworth Library
Saturday, November 18
12 – 3 p.m.
199 Wentworth Ave. East, West St.
Paul, MN 55118
Visit RamseyRecycles.com/FixItClinics
to learn more about Ramsey County’s monthly Fix-it Clinics.
Asbestos
in Homes
Asbestos is typically a word that can
cause alarm. However, asbestos contained in building materials that are in good
condition is not a health concern. Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur
naturally in the ground. It’s commonly found in vinyl flooring and/or the
Mastek glue under it, textured ceilings, window caulk, Transite siding,
vermiculite insulation, air heating duct wrap/tape and hot water heat pipe
insulation. While newer houses are likely to have less asbestos, it is still
being mined around the world and used in common building materials that are
sold at major home improvement stores around the U.S.
Again,
asbestos contained in building materials which are in good condition are not a
health concern. However, when asbestos
contained in building materials is disturbed during renovation and remodeling,
or when a building is in poor condition, that’s when a significant health
concern for you and your family may arise. Do not dispose of asbestos wastes in
your household trash. Visit the Minnesota
Department of Health for information on proper disposal and
additional reading on asbestos.
Did you know?
Ramsey
County Environmental Health staff conduct risk-based inspections at food
establishments to ensure public health safety. Inspections are conducted to
help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks. Trained inspectors look for employee
hygiene and handwashing, cleaning, appropriate temperature ranges and basic
operating procedures. Last year, staff inspected over 750 food establishments,
including restaurants, gas stations, memory care units and daycares. While
staff is vigilant, outbreaks can still happen. In fact, some outbreaks do not
get reported because the person ill does not realize the illness was caused
from a food they had previously eaten. If you suspect a foodborne illness from
eating at a food establishment, call the Minnesota Department of Health at
1-877-FOOD-ILL (1-877-366-3455).
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