Spread recycling know-how in your community: Become a Recycling Ambassador

Registration for the fall Recycling Ambassador Program training is now open! Recycling Ambassadors undergo a six-week training to learn more about environmental health.

Using knowledge gained, Recycling Ambassadors volunteer 20 hours or more annually to encourage others to reduce, reuse and recycle. Topics covered in the training include waste systems in Ramsey County, composting, climate change, environmental justice, household hazardous waste and general recycling.

The next training will take place virtually using Zoom on thursdays: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Please make sure you have access to a webcam and microphone and are available for all six workshops before registering.

Learn more and sign up.

Ask the experts: Master Gardeners share yard, garden advice

Do you have questions about yard care, gardening or composting? Connect with Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteers. They educate residents on how to grow plants and protect the environment using evidence-based research.

Master Gardeners will host free information booths at select Ramsey County yard waste collection sites this fall. Dates are Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 8 and Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Locations.

Can’t make it? Call the Master Gardener line at 612-301-7590 to get free advice over the phone.

The Ramsey County Master Gardener program is a partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program and Ramsey County Environmental Health.

What to do with extra food from the garden

Wondering what to do with extra produce from your garden this year? Try canning, freezing or pickling to preserve food for later.

You can also donate extra produce to a food shelf or free meal program. Find a food shelf near you using the Ramsey County Food Resource Map, or donate to the Grow and Give program by Every Meal.

Wherever you choose to donate, be sure to follow safety measures when harvesting, storing and transporting food.

Community gardens can also apply for a Food Recovery Grant to help support produce donation.

To learn more about donating surplus food, community gardening and more, visit RamseyCounty.us/UrbanAg.

Reduce your food waste and help feed those in need

One of the key priorities for Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) is partnering with several other organizations to decrease food waste. The pandemic has magnified food security challenges for many. Food recovery is one way to reduce food waste while ensuring food gets to people who need it.

One of R&E’s partners in this work is Urban Roots, an organization that provides internships and job training for youth to learn about urban agriculture, conservation and cooking with fresh foods. 

Through a Food Recovery Grant, R&E provided support for Urban Roots to purchase a refrigerated van. The van allows Urban Roots to operate a mobile farmer’s market and is also used for recovering and distributing extra food in Saint Paul. Urban Roots was also able to purchase a mobile kitchen that will provide interns opportunities to demonstrate how to cook the produce they grow and sell at the market. 

Learn more about R&E’s Food Recovery Grants.

Save the date: Household hazardous waste collection at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Collection set for Saturday, Oct. 2

Bring paint, used oil, batteries and other household hazardous waste to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to residents of Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Washington counties. Learn more about household hazardous waste collection.

Reserve la fecha: recolección de desechos peligrosos del hogar en la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe el 2 de octubre
Lleve pintura, aceite usado, pilas y otros residuos peligrosos del hogar a la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe el sábado 2 de octubre de 7 a.m. a 2 p.m. El evento es gratuito y está disponible para los residentes de los condados de Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott y Washington. Más información sobre la recolección de residuos domésticos peligrosos.