May Green Ramsey

Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 05/04/2020 05:06 PM CDT

May 2020

Food saving tips in English, Español, and Soomaali

As some families face financial challenges during the COVID pandemic, saving money and avoiding waste is more important than ever. If you are trying to minimize trips to the grocery store, it can be easy to buy too much and have food go to waste. Find tips on how to make your food last longer – from storage to meal planning. Information is available in English, Español and Soomaali.

Celebrate Compost Awareness Week by composting

This week is International Compost Awareness Week. With many spending more time at home, you may be sprucing up your lawn and trying your hand at gardening. Home composting is an easy way to turn organic waste (food scraps, leaves, plant trimmings and branches) into a soil enhancement, which improves the quality of the soil. It’s also a great way to get children involved in caring for the environment.

Childcare center diverts more than 5,500 pounds a year from the trash

St. Croix Kids Early Childhood Center daycare and preschool in Stillwater has been teaching preschool children since 1969. Last year, the center reached out to BizRecycling to learn how to decrease waste and lower its trash bill. Through a BizRecycling grant, St. Croix Kids Early Childhood Center started a food scraps (organics recycling) collection program. The childhood center now has color-coded, clearly labeled bins for food scraps, recycling and trash collection in each room.

Food Scraps compost coming to community gardens

Have you ever wondered what happens with food scraps dropped off in Ramsey County bins? In honor of International Compost Awareness Week this week, and to support local food and food security, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy is partnering with Ramsey County to provide free compost made from food scraps to community gardens located in Ramsey County. Email programs@recyclingandenergy.org or call 651-266-1199 for more information.

Finished compost made from food scraps is also available for purchase at SET and SMSC commercial compost sites, and can be used in home gardening and landscaping projects. Learn more about the uses for and benefits of compost and how to mix compost with soil for your lawn and garden.

Finished compost is also available periodically at Ramsey County Yard Waste sites. Sign up to receive updates (click on the red envelope).

Assistance for children with asthma

Ramsey County offers resources for families who have children with asthma and are concerned about asthma triggers in their home environment. Our program is operating and enrolling new families, even during Minnesota’s “Stay at Home” order. We now offer residents a “virtual” home visit by an environmental specialist and a public health nurse. You will receive free products that help reduce or eliminate asthma triggers in your home. Now is a great time to consider enrolling in this program, as most families are spending more time at home.

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 651-266-1139.

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New: Business Pollution Prevention Program

In partnership with Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, Ramsey County is launching the Business Pollution Prevention Program. The program helps businesses reduce the use of chemicals and processes that are a health or environmental risk. Participating businesses receive free technical assistance and financial support of up to $50,000 to help them switch to safer alternatives.

The program currently focuses on businesses that use perchloroethylene (PERC) or chemicals containing or producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as some dry cleaners, auto body shops, industrial painters and printers. Does this describe your business? We’d love to assist you in making a change that will benefit your employees, your neighbors, and the environment! Visit our website or email programs@recyclingandenergy.com to get started.

Changes to Ramsey County Environmental Health services

Ramsey County is committed to providing services throughout the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak while protecting the health of residents and staff.

Our Yard Waste, Food Scraps and Household Hazardous Waste programs are still operating as scheduled. Some other programs have been affected by COVID-19 precautions.

Read more about how Ramsey County Environmental Health is continuing to serve you.

Cleaning safely and effectively with disinfectants

Cleaning with disinfectants? Follow these guidelines for cleaning safely and effectively:

Start by cleaning the surfaces with a detergent or soap and water first. Then use the disinfectant.
Do not mix cleaning products. It can create toxic fumes.
Do not ingest cleaners or disinfectants. They are toxic to the human body.
Use proper protection when cleaning, including wearing gloves.
Make sure the room is well ventilated. Open a window or turn on a fan.
Do not clean when children are in the room.
Do not flush cleaning wipes down the toilet. They can clog your toilet and sewer lines. Place them in the trash.
Store cleaners and disinfectants in their original container, so you know what it is and how to use it.
Keep all chemical products out of reach of young children.

Learn more.

Clean out responsibly

Finding yourself re-evaluating your stuff while spending more time at home? You are not alone! Here's what you can do with unwanted items in the current situation.