Success Stories:
White Bear Lake Businesses Consolidate Waste
When
ten small businesses in downtown White Bear Lake wanted to share trash service
and improve their recycling and organic waste collection, 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 organic
waste collection programs.
BizRecycling’s
experts visited all the businesses to learn about their unique waste streams. What
they discovered was that most of the waste could either be recycled or
composted. So, each business applied for and received a BizRecycling Grant to
purchase color-coded recycling bins, signs, compostable bags for organic waste,
and other needed equipment. Another Ramsey County grant was used to build a
dumpster enclosure for the businesses to share.
Together,
these ten businesses are saving over $4,000 per year in waste disposal costs. Plus,
they’ve achieved an impressive 64.9 percent recycling rate! One restaurant was
even able to add a new patio where their dumpster once stood. The project has
won awards from the Recycling Association of Minnesota and the League of
Minnesota Cities. Read
more about this innovative project on the BizRecycling website.
News You Can Use:
Think Outside the Box
Tis the season of gift giving! Are you doing a lot of online ordering?
Make sure you recycle those cardboard shipping boxes and any other cardboard
packaging. All boxes should be broken down before you put them in your
recycling cart. Did you know that wrapping paper can also be recycled? The
exception would be paper with glitter or foil. You can also extend the life of
bows, ribbon and string by reusing them. Please put any Styrofoam, bubble wrap
or packing peanuts in the garbage. If you have questions, contact your City or recycling hauler.
New Food Planning Tool
Planning the right amount of food for a gathering can be
frustrating. But now there's a new tool from Save the Food! The Guest-imator helps you plan and prepare the right amount of
different types of food, especially for complicated meals like
the upcoming holidays. You can plan around big eaters or little
eaters, as well as how many side dishes and desserts you have in mind, and
whether or not you want leftovers. Check it out!
Keep Your Food Safe
During Holiday Gatherings
With
all the gatherings this holiday season, it is important to be mindful of food
safety – especially with meats, deviled eggs and custard-based desserts. Follow
these four easy steps to keep your holidays happy:
- Wash hands, food and food preparation surfaces.
- Use
separate plates for raw and cooked food.
- Cook food
to the correct internal temperatures (chicken/turkey 165⁰F, ham 145⁰F).
- After
cooking, refrigerate food. Do not leave
food at room temp longer than two hours.
If you have
questions, please call the Environmental Health office at 651-266-1199.
Dispose of Unwanted
Chemical Products Safely
Cleaning out your garage or basement before winter? Bring any unwanted
paint, chemicals and any other household hazardous waste to Ramsey
County's year-round collection site in Saint Paul. It’s free! They even take non-working string lights.
Find location, hours and items accepted.
Did you know?
Ramsey County’s Lead Hazard Control Program is responsible
for investigating all childhood lead poisoning cases in the county. Lead is a
toxin and affects multiple body systems, particularly in young children. It is
most commonly found in household paint that was used in porches, kitchens,
windows, and exterior siding and trim. Children who are less than six years of
age and living in homes built before 1978 are most at risk for lead exposure.
With more than 30 percent of the homes built
before 1950, Ramsey County has one of the largest number of children with
elevated blood lead levels in Minnesota. Ramsey County staff work closely with homeowners
and property managers, the Minnesota Department of Health, the City of Saint
Paul and several neighborhood organizations to correct lead-based paint hazards.
Meanwhile, the county’s Public Health Nurses work closely with the family on
assessing the child’s development and nutrition until the child’s level drops
below the level of concern.
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