Business Pollution Prevention Program

In partnership with Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, Ramsey County is launching the Business Pollution Prevention Program. The Business Pollution Prevention Program helps businesses reduce the use of chemicals and processes that pose a risk to the environment and can be harmful to our health. Participating businesses receive technical assistance at no cost 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 could reduce your regulatory cost and benefit your employees, your neighbors and the environment!

Please note Minnesota Pollution Control Agency small business loans may be used toward the business’ cost sharing for this grant.

Learn more or contact Leslie Duling McCollam to get started.  

Loans available to help small businesses discontinue using TCE

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made up to $250,000 in interest-free small business environmental improvement loans available to small businesses for installation and equipment purchases associated with a switch from the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) to an alternative demonstrated to be less toxic.

Loan terms and conditions:

• Loan amount between $1,000 and $75,000.
• 0% interest rate.
• Repayment term up to 7 years.
• Flexibility in the types of collateral accepted.
• Awarded throughout the year.

Learn more.

BizRecycling offers relief grant

If your business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 or the 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 organics 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 organics 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.

Learn more, or apply now.

Contamination cleanup and investigation grants

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has a grant program to help communities pay for assessing and cleaning up contaminated sites. Both publicly and privately owned sites with known or suspected soil or groundwater contamination qualify. These grants are available for cities, port authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities, economic development authorities or counties.

Applications deadlines are May 1 and Nov.1 each year.

Learn more.

Ramsey County’s Environmental Response Fund (ERF) is available to mitigate capital investment associated with the redevelopment of contaminated properties within Ramsey County. Application deadlines are May and November and coordinated with MN DEED grants.

Learn more.

Onsite inspections for hazardous waste generators

During this pandemic, the safety of our inspectors and the safety of the businesses we inspect has been a priority.

Previously, inspectors reached out to business over the phone instead of conducting onsite compliance assessments.

Now inspectors are able to conduct in person field inspections, in addition to performing compliance assessments over the phone. When on site, inspection staff will wear masks and practice social distancing throughout their visit. Prior to entering a business, inspection staff will ask businesses about any possible employee illnesses. Inspectors will also request that all employees present at the business wear masks and practice social distancing during their inspection.

Ramsey County Environmental Health recognizes the importance of reducing risk to people and the environment but also wants to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible during our interactions.