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March 2019
An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.
Hmong American Partnership Uses Grant to Improve Recycling
 Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is the largest Hmong non-profit organization in the United States, empowering the refugee and immigrant community for over 25 years. HAP was interested in improving their recycling program and received a site visit to review their current waste management systems. It was determined that HAP could benefit from standardizing their recycling bins and adding proper signage. HAP also has a large community room and was interested in adding organics recycling.
HAP received a BizRecycling grant to install a new dishwasher (to move from disposal to reusable dishware), to host a staff training, and to purchase color-coded recycling containers.
“Staff have commented on the advantage of organics in the workplace, and we appreciate [offering] organics and recycling service to our clients and guests” said Tou Lee, Front Desk Supervisor. Overall, HAP has had a lot of success with their new recycling programs and is diverting an estimated 31,517 pounds of recycling and organics from the trash each year!
BizRecycling works with businesses in Ramsey and Washington counties to improve their recycling and organics collection. Learn more at BizRecycling.com or call 651-266-1199.
Ramsey County Puts a Lid on It
 Ramsey County recently took the step of voluntarily installing vapor recovery equipment on its tanks that supply fuel for its fleet operations. This reduces fuel tank vapors by 95%! Why is this important? Vapors escaping from fuel tanks when being filled contribute to ozone pollution. Ozone can cause serious breathing problems and makes asthma or other lung conditions worse.
If you have asthma or other breathing issues, sign up to receive air quality alerts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
New Recycling Guide Coming Soon!
 The 2019 Recycling Guide for residents will arrive in your mailbox this month. It's a 24-page guide with information on household recycling, organics recycling, yard waste, household hazardous waste, medicine disposal and more! This year, we also included information on purchasing radon test kits for only $2.
Keep this guide in a handy spot to reference throughout the year. If you have any questions, visit RamseyRecycles.com or call our 24/7 hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279).
Compost Bin Sale – Save $20
 The Recycling Association of Minnesota is selling compost bins for $64, plus tax this year. Ramsey County residents can get an additional $20 off! Order online at RecycleMinnesota.org and enter promo code “Ramsey” to receive the discounted price. Or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a Ramsey County resident.
Pick up your pre-ordered bin on April 27 in Maplewood. Find additional dates and locations at RecycleMinnesota.org.
Know What Batteries Should Be Recycled
 Numerous devices, like cell phones, computers, electric toothbrushes, power tools, radio speakers, toys, watches and more, come with various types of batteries that contain different chemistries and metals. If not disposed of properly, some batteries can cause fires, and others contain toxic metals that can pollute our air, water, and land.
While it is OK to toss alkaline batteries in the trash, rechargeable batteries must be recycled. Each type of battery and how to dispose of them is listed on Ramsey County’s online A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide. If you are unsure what to do with a battery, bring it to a Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste collection site.
Dispose of Needles and Syringes Responsibly
 If you take injection medication, do not place needles and syringes in the trash or recycling cart. Please follow these instructions:
- Place empty needles and syringes in a hard-sided, plastic container with screw-on cap (like a detergent bottle) and label it "Sharps".
- When full, bring your sharps container to a household hazardous waste collection site. Please inform staff when you drop them off. They will ask you to place your sharps in the collection box.
- Sharps containing medicine should be brought to a medicine collection site.
For sharps and medicine from businesses, healthcare facilities, long-term facilities, pharmacies, doctors' offices or veterinary clinics, please call 651-266-1199 for assistance.
Ramsey County is committed to food safety and the prevention of foodborne illnesses for those who visit restaurants and other food outlets in our county. As part of that commitment, Ramsey County offers food manager trainings to food industry workers each year. This program, titled “ServSafe®”, provides food safety training classes, exams and educational materials to foodservice managers. Upon successful completion of the program, the participant becomes a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
A CFPM is required to be on staff at every restaurant and entity serving food to the public in the state of Minnesota. They are also responsible for adopting any food code changes in their facility and are required to have continuing education on an ongoing basis.
View the 2019 class schedule to see upcoming training dates.
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