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September 2020
Food saving tips: meal prep
 As a new and uncertain school year approaches, many families may be preparing for a particularly busy time. To ease the transition, this month's food saving tips focus on meal prep. Preparing meals, ingredients and snacks ahead of time can help maintain healthy eating habits, provide mindful ways to use food, decrease food waste, and save time on hectic days.
Consider these meal prep tips as you jump into the school year:
Read more.
How to dispose of meal delivery kit packaging
 Meal delivery services are a great way improve your cooking skills, reduce wasted food, and try out new recipes. However, with the food comes a lot of packaging to sort through – from insulated liners and cooling packs to food bags and containers. The disposal instructions can often be confusing or even misleading. Here is what you should know:
Read more.
Local church collects 15,600 pounds of food scraps annually
 In March 2019, Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater received a BizRecycling grant to start a food scraps collection program. With the grant funding, Trinity Lutheran purchased containers, bin liners, compostable service ware and cleaning carts. They also purchased children’s educational books about recycling.
Read more.
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Test your recycling knowledge
If you’re spending more time at home, you’re probably dealing with more packaging waste from food and online orders. Do you know which of those items can and can’t be recycled at home? Watch this short video and test your recycling knowledge. Then commit to recycling more in 2020!
Learn more about recycling in Ramsey County.
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Become a Master Gardener
Do you enjoy gardening? Do you like to learn about and try new things in your garden? Are you looking to get more involved and volunteer in Ramsey County? Apply today for the Extension Master Gardener program! Applications for the 2021 program are due October 1st. If you have questions, email rcmg@umn.edu
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ReUSE Minnesota offering plywood for projects
Using dozens of volunteers, ReUSE Minnesota began collecting plywood in June from boarded up businesses and organizations during the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. So far, ReUSE Minnesota has collected over 600 boards directly from more than 40 establishments. There are also six temporary drop-off sites.
More than 100 boards have already been used for projects, including:
- Shipping personal protective equipment to Bolivia from the non-profit Mano a Mano International.
- Protecting a gym floor at Pillsbury Food Shelf from scratches.
- Renovating at several local businesses.
Businesses and organizations can still request plywood collection. Boards are available at no cost to establishments in neighborhoods affected by the civil unrest that took place this May and June. Boards can also be requested for personal projects with a suggested donation of $3-4 per full board.
Board types include OSB (Oriented Strand Board)/chip board and plywood in half-sheet, full-sheet, and miscellaneous sizes. Requests can be made online or by contacting Lauren Melzer at 651-968-6860 or laurenemelzer@gmail.com.
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Dispose of lithium batteries safely
Lithium ion batteries, like those found in cell phones and other electronics, can be dangerous when disposed of improperly. Do not place these batteries in your trash or recycling; they can start fires in collection trucks and waste facilities. Instead, bring them to a household hazardous waste collection site for free.
Follow these steps for safely handling batteries:
Step 1: Put a small piece of tape over the ends of each battery. Use clear packing tape, electrical tape or duct tape. Do not use masking or painter’s tape.
Step 2: Place taped batteries in a plastic container and store them in a cool, dry location that is out of reach of children and pets until you are ready to dispose of them.
Step 3: Bring batteries to a household hazardous waste collection site for free.
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Get kids involved in food scraps collection
With families staying at home more, consider teaching your kids to help collect food scraps for composting. It’s a great way to cut down on trash and learn about nature’s way of recycling. Visit our food scraps webpage to learn more and pick up a free starter kit at any Ramsey County Yard Waste site. Then start collecting fruit and vegetable peels, chicken bones, egg shells, pizza crusts and other acceptable waste. Store them in the small kitchen caddy that comes with the starter kit until you’re ready to drop off your food scraps.
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How to dispose of unwanted items
Not sure how to dispose of an item? From appliances to zinc batteries, we’ve got you covered! Check our online A to Z Recycling and Disposal Guide and then bookmark it for future reference. If you can’t find what you are looking for on our online guide, email us at AskEH@ramseycounty.us or call our 24/7 hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279) and we’ll research it for you.
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BizRecycling Relief Grants available
If your business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 or recent civil unrest, you may be eligible for a BizRecycling Relief Grant. Get up to $10,000 to support operational expenses related to managing waste and recycling effectively. Eligible expenses include:
- Recycling and food scraps hauling costs.
- Recyclable or compostable to-go packaging.
- Refrigerators, coolers or containers to support food donation efforts.
- Staff wages for time spent on activities related to recycling or food scraps management, food donation and/or waste reduction.
- And more!
This funding is available to past BizRecycling grantees, as well as those who have not participated in the program previously. Visit BizRecycling’s Relief Grant website for more information and to apply.
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Learn more about Ramsey County’s Food Waste Diversion Program
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is featuring a blog post about one of Ramsey County Environmental Health’s new and innovative programs, the Food Waste Diversion License Fee Discount Program. The program was launched in 2019 and encourages businesses to reduce their food waste by incentivizing them with a discount on their license fee. The blog post was written by Environmental Health fellows, Minette Saulog and Zitlali Ayala.
Read the blog post and learn more about our Food Waste Diversion Program.
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Helping businesses manage chemical waste
Ramsey County’s solid and hazardous waste compliance program is committed to reducing the risk of chemical waste exposure to people and the environment. This program works with businesses to ensure proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste (paint, used oil, solvents, etc.) and demolition waste. Staff provide technical assistance and education, and work with businesses to perform compliance audits.
County staff work with a wide range of businesses types, including:
- Print shops.
- Health care facilities.
- Manufacturers.
- Dry cleaners.
- Vehicle maintenance and auto body shops.
Last year, Ramsey County licensed 1,883 businesses that generate hazardous waste.
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Gardening and Landscaping
Learn more about eco-friendly gardening and landscaping from a Ramsey County Master Gardener, sharing the latest University-based research.
Parks and Recreation
Explore what Ramsey County has to offer for parks, trails and recreational activities year round.
Partners’ Grants
Calling all business organizations in the East Metro! Got a great idea to get other businesses to go green? Use our green to get going.
Radon
Walk-in sales have been suspended until further notice. Purchased test kits will be mailed to customers' homes.
Recycling and Disposal Guide for Residents
From appliances to zinc batteries, find out what to do with items you no longer want. Visit RamseyRecycles.com/AtoZ.
Recycling Bins for Events
Our lending program for temporary recycling containers has been
suspended until further notice.
Soil and Water Conservation
Ramsey County's Soil & Water Conservation division conserves and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County. Learn what projects and programs are taking place in your neighborhood.
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