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December 2019
An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.
Production Resources Uses BizRecycling Grant to Start Recycling
 Production Resources, an automation company focusing on box taping, opened its doors 15 years ago in Maplewood. Hoping to reduce the large amount of cardboard and other recyclables that were going into the trash, Scott Hudson, vice president of operations, discovered the BizRecycling program and reached out for help starting a recycling program.
“BizRecycling is a great program; it gets you recycling and doing the right thing”, said Hudson.
Production Resources received funding for color-coded recycling bins. This is a simple, effective approach for maximizing recycling participation. Owner Brian Ness said the separate colors make it easy to tell the difference between trash and recycling.
Production Resources collected so much recycling, the business had to increase its pick-up service from once a month to bi-weekly for its six-yard dumpster. That’s more than 27,000 pounds of recycling diverted from the trash annually!
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.
Consider Reuse Opportunities for Unwanted Toys this Season
 As the holiday season approaches, are you purging some of your children’s toy collection to make room for new toys? There are many ways to give new life to old toys instead of putting them in the trash.
Consider opportunities to repair, donate, and sell previously loved toys. You can repair broken toys at Ramsey County’s monthly Fix-it Clinics. Options for donating used toys include thrift shops like Goodwill, Arc’s Value Village and the Salvation Army. To make a little cash, use community re-sell websites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist. Be sure to close the loop and buy used toys, too!
Learn more at RamseyRecycles.com/Reuse.
Finally, if old toys can’t be repaired, donated or sold, remember to visit our A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide to learn about proper disposal methods.
How You Can Help Minnesota Recycle
 America Recycles Day was Nov. 15. To mark this day, Ramsey County Commissioner Reinhardt and other Minnesota recycling leaders wrote an article offering some great tips on how to support recycling in our community. Read it here.
Give Us Your Feedback
 Ramsey County is seeking input from residents to help guide the development of a new program, and we’d love your feedback. Click the link to tell us what you think.
Dispose of Expired Medicines Safely
 With the cold and flu season upon us, now is a good time to sort through your medicine cabinet and get rid of any expired medicines. You may also find unexpired medicines you no longer need. Don’t put these medicines in the trash or down the drain. Bring them to one of Ramsey County’s free collection sites. Safe disposal of unwanted medicines helps prevent crime, drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Help protect our environment by not flushing medicines down the drain or putting them in the trash. Visit our website for a list of acceptable medicines and to learn how to prepare them for safe disposal.
What to Do With String Lights and
Other Tanglers
 Just a friendly reminder this holiday season that string lights don’t belong in your recycling cart. Nor do chains, hoses, ropes or other things that coil. They can wrap around equipment at recycling facilities, bringing the entire sorting process to a halt, and they won’t be recycled.
If you have string lights to get rid of, drop them off at our free household hazardous waste collection site where they will be recycled. Metal chains can be brought to a scrap metal recycler. Hoses and ropes should go in the trash.
Recycle better! If you’re not sure if an item is recyclable, refer to our online A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide or call our hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279), which is answered 24/7.
Year-Round Compost Bin Sale!
 Compost bins are sold year-round by the Recycling Association of Minnesota and can be picked up in Maplewood. The cost is $64 plus tax. Ramsey County residents can get an additional $20 off at RecycleMinnesota.org by entering promo code “Ramsey”. 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?
Resources for Childhood Asthma
Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S., affecting 12.5% of people under 18 years old. Childhood asthma accounts for an estimated 14 million missed school days and more than 1.8 million emergency room visits each year. A child’s home environment has a significant impact on whether their asthma is controlled or will cause health problems. Many things affect a person with asthma in their own home. Some common asthma triggers may be:
- Tobacco smoke.
- Household chemicals.
- Pet dander.
- Roaches.
- Dust mites.
- Mold.
- Fragrances.
If you have a child with asthma, Ramsey County can send an environmental health specialist and a public health nurse to your home for a free home assessment. They can also provide products that help reduce or eliminate your child’s asthma triggers. Ramsey County has already helped more than 40 children this year.
If you are interested in learning more about this free program, or want to schedule a visit, please email HealthyHomes@ramseycounty.us or call us at 651-266-1199.
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