July Green Ramsey

Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 07/02/2020 09:00 AM CDT

July 2020

Food saving tips: Storing, freezing, refreshing and using up bread

From flat bread to focaccia, from buns to baguettes — bread is a simple and nourishing staple that accompanies numerous dishes across many cuisines. Consider these tips for storing, freezing, refreshing and using up bread.

Costco warehouse in Maplewood committed to waste reduction

Last year, Jennifer Edman, Costco supervisor at the Maplewood location, reached out to BizRecycling to help improve Maplewood Costco’s recycling. The Maplewood location had already been collecting recyclable and compostable items and donating unsold food to Second Harvest Heartland (a food bank) for several years, but Edman knew there was still opportunity to do more. After a visit with a recycling specialist, Edman discovered that all food scraps could be composted.

Grant funding available to help schools to reduce waste

Over the next two years, Ramsey County will be offering funding and technical assistance to public school districts and charter schools to reduce their trash and enhance reuse opportunities.

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Free yard and garden advice

The Ramsey County Master Gardeners are hosting an online consultation session every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can get advice for yard and garden problems, help identifying plants and insects, and information about gardening best-practices. This service is free and open to the public. Residents are strongly encouraged to download and complete the plant or insect diagnostic form found on the Ramsey County Master Gardener website.

These online events are held via Zoom. Join online by computer, smartphone or tablet using this link https://umn.zoom.us/s/97696903081 or by phone by calling 651-372-8299 and entering meeting ID 976 9690 3081.

Sign up for an online gardening class

Do you love gardening? This summer, the Ramsey County Master Gardeners are offering online classes that cover a range of popular gardening topics, including pest management, herb gardening, home composting, invasive plants and the healing aspects of nature. These classes are developed using the most current research and best practices provided by the University of Minnesota and other Extension universities.

Classes are open to the public. Some are free and others are low cost. Registration is required.

Sign up today!

Try these upcycled craft ideas for kids

Looking for ideas to keep your kids busy this summer? Try these fun craft ideas you can do with metal cans, egg cartons, cereal boxes and other everyday food packaging. They won’t cost you much, and you’ll teach your kids the value of reuse and recycling.

Thank you for recycling!

Our recycling totals are in! Last year, residents in Ramsey County recycled nearly 43,000 tons of material. That's equal to the weight four Eiffel Towers! A special shout out to residents of Saint Anthony, North Oaks and Maplewood for recycling the most pounds per person. We’d also like to recognize the top three most improved cities – Maplewood, Little Canada and Falcon Heights.

Find out what you can recycle in Ramsey County and commit to recycling more in 2020.

More options for recycling electronics and household hazardous waste

Did you know? Ramsey and Washington County have reciprocity agreements that allow residents to bring items that don’t belong in the trash to either county collection site for free. The Washington County Environmental Center in Woodbury accepts electronics including cell phones, computers, computer monitors, DVD and VCR players, fax machines, printers and other computer peripherals (keyboards, mice, computer speakers, etc.), TVs and microwaves.

They also accept paint, used motor oil, pesticides, batteries and other household hazardous waste. For more information, visit their website.

Ramsey County accepts cell phones and tablets in addition to household hazardous waste at the year-round site in Saint Paul and at mobile collection sites throughout the county.

Please note the differences between the two counties in electronics items accepted. We encourage you to use whichever location is more convenient for you. Check the Washington County and Ramsey County websites for how to safely drop off items.

Multi-unit residential properties now eligible for recycling grants

BizRecycling has expanded its program to include apartments, condos and other multi-unit residential properties. This means that multi-unit residential property owners and managers can now take advantage of the great resources available through BizRecycling, including free consultations with recycling experts, free resources, and grants to help reduce waste and expand or improve recycling and food scraps collection. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for properties with 5-20 units, and grants of up to $20,000 are available for properties with over 20 units. Learn more at BizRecycling.com.

County Services Closed July 3-4

In observance of Independence Day, household hazardous waste collection sites and yard waste collection sites will be closed July 4. The mobile household hazardous waste collection sites in Arden Hills and White Bear Lake will also be closed July 3.

Participate in a local plywood rescue program

ReUSE Minnesota, a local non-profit, is collecting reusable plywood from Twin Cities businesses removing it from their windows and doors as they reopen. This plywood will be reused for building repairs, future construction projects, or even creative art projects. Murals and artwork will be preserved by the Minnesota Historical Society and other organizations.

If you are an interested business, visit Reuse Minnesota’s website to find drop off locations or to request a pickup. Volunteers are needed to outreach to businesses, transport plywood to central locations, and sort plywood for reuse.

If you want to help, sign up today!

ReUSE Minnesota hosting a national virtual conference this month

ReUSE Minnesota, a member-based organization focused on bringing visibility to the reuse, rental and repair industry, will be hosting a national virtual conference on July 13 and 14. ReUSE2020: Vision for a Circular Future will showcase speakers and panelists exploring how reuse, rental and repair play an essential role in supporting and stabilizing sustainable communities.

For more information and to register, visit the conference page. A “pay what you can” option is available for attendees experiencing economic uncertainty. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.