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September 2019
An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.
Securian Financial Increases Organics Recycling by 18,000 Pounds Per Year
 Securian Financial Group Inc. is a mutual holding company that provides a range of financial products and services. As part of an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, it has been consistently tackling recycling improvements over the past five years.
In 2018, Securian Financial worked towards a large-scale rollout of organics recycling. It also received a BizRecycling grant to improve single-stream recycling collections in common areas of its buildings and used remaining funds to purchase compostable products for its cafeteria. These additional initiatives are expected to increase the amount of organics recycling collection by approximately 18,000 pounds per year.
“The BizRecycling program was instrumental in making sure that we had the right tools to implement this project and help educate the people who work and visit in these busy buildings,” said Julio Fesser, second vice president of Facilities Services at Securian Financial.
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.
What to Do with Large Plastic Items
 Recycle better! Yes, you can recycle plastic containers with the numbers 1, 2 and 5 - like milk jugs, yogurt cups and shampoo bottles - in your recycling cart. But that’s where it ends. Please do not recycle large plastic items like laundry baskets, crates or buckets. Also, do not recycle black plastic containers. Items at the recycling facilities move through the sorting process on a black conveyor belt. The sorting machines for plastics are designed not to detect black plastic, in order that they won’t detect the conveyor belt. Therefore, your black containers will not get sorted for recycling. Please place them in the trash. If you have questions about an item, refer to our A to Z Recycling and Disposal guide or call our 24/7 hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279).
Recycling Grants for Apartments and Multi-Unit Buildings
 Ramsey and Washington counties launched a new program this year to offer free resources and recycling information to property owners and managers of apartments and other multi-unit dwellings. We can help start, expand, improve and manage recycling at your properties at no cost to you!
We will answer your questions, determine the needs of your property and connect you with a recycling expert. The recycling expert will schedule a free 30-minute waste assessment at your property during a time that fits your schedule. After the assessment, the recycling expert will recommend options for improving recycling at your property. Grants of up to $10,000 are available per property to help you put your recycling plan into action.
Visit BizRecycling.com and click on “How to Start” or call 651-266-1199 to get started today.
Enjoy Recreational Fires Responsibly
 Fall is the perfect time for gathering around a backyard fire. If you’re lighting a wood fire, follow these tips:
- Burn wood that has been drying for at least six months and avoid burning green wood (wood that has been recently cut and not dried out).
- Consider the wind direction and your proximity to neighbors, and try to avoid sending too much smoke their way.
- Avoid burning construction waste, plastic, garbage or yard waste. They can be toxic and create more smoke. Instead, visit the A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide for where to bring those items.
Learn more about recreational fires from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn Wise program.
Year-Round Compost Bin Sale!
 Compost bins are now sold year-round with a pick-up location in Maplewood. The compost bins are $64 plus tax. 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. Then call Ramsey County Environmental Health at 651-266-1199 to arrange a pick-up time.
Did you know?
Trash produced by residents and businesses in Ramsey County is delivered to the Recycling & Energy Center in Newport. There, it is processed to remove any recyclable metals like tin and aluminum cans*. After metal is extracted, the trash is processed into a fuel used to generate electricity. In 2018, the Recycling & Energy Center managed over 450,000 tons of trash, pulled over 14,000 tons of metal for recycling, and created enough fuel to power 40,000 homes for a year. We’re working on developing a new tour experience at the Recycling & Energy Center. Stay tuned for information on when tours are available – we’d love to show you around!
*Unfortunately, many recyclables are still tossed in the trash. It’s better if residents and businesses recycle metal cans in their recycling cart – they’re cleaner and more valuable than when sorted at the Recycling & Energy Center.
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