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An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County. |
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Paige Ahlborg, along with 18 others, participated in Ramsey County’s first Recycling Ambassador training in Fall 2020. Now fully trained, Ahlborg and her fellow ambassadors aim to spread their recycling enthusiasm and expertise in their own communities.
Read more.
Image credit: clues.org
Canasta Familiar, a food shelf operated by Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) in Saint Paul, provides culturally appropriate food to about 500 families per week. But they don’t stop there.
Read more.
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Be a battery hero and prevent battery fires
Batteries are good. Battery fires are not. As we celebrate Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 3 - 9), remember proper disposal of batteries in your fire prevention efforts. Be a battery hero and bring all types of batteries to a free county household hazardous waste collection site. To prepare batteries:
- Put a small piece of clear tape over the positive and negative ends of each battery.
- Place taped batteries in a plastic tub with a loose-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dry location out of reach of children until ready for disposal.
- Bring batteries to a household hazardous waste collection site for free.
Why batteries can catch fire
Although the technology of storing energy in batteries (especially lithium-ion batteries) has been monumentally beneficial to society, fires due to misuse, breakage or improper storage are possible. Learn how (video: 3 minutes)
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Mind the wood smoke
For many Minnesotans, autumn means cozying up next to an outdoor fire. To protect your health and the health of others, follow these safety tips when enjoying recreational wood fires:
- Be considerate of your neighbors, especially those who are sensitive to wood smoke.
- Never burn plastic, garbage, yard waste, or wet or recently cut wood.
- Don’t burn when the air quality is poor.
Learn more health and safety tips for recreational fires.
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Yard waste sites ready to rake in fall leaves and pumpkins
After all the raking, leaf blowing and fall decorating, bring these common fall yard waste items to Ramsey County’s yard waste collection sites for free:
- Put pumpkins, corn stalks and hay bales in the leaf pile. No string, ribbon, candles, paint or other decorations.
- Bring leaves to the yard waste sites. Remember to take bags, even biodegradable bags, back with you after you dump your leaves in the pile.
- While you’re there, drop off your food scraps and get free expert advice from a Master Gardener.
Don’t forget to plan ahead! Check the hours and locations and consider these tips for avoiding long waits at the yard waste sites.
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Join Ramsey County in supporting National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: Oct. 24 - 30
As the weather cools and we spend more time in our homes, Ramsey County’s Lead and Healthy Homes program wants to remind you to keep your home safe for yourself and your loved ones.
Join Ramsey County in supporting National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 24 - 30), which raises awareness of the importance of preventing, identifying and mitigating sources of lead exposure. Teach your loved ones about common sources of lead as well as the importance of childhood blood lead screening at regularly scheduled well-child exams.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will declare Oct. 24 - 30 as Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in Ramsey County in a proclamation that will be presented at an East Side Neighborhood Development Company meeting Oct. 5.
Learn more about preventing and mitigating lead exposure, including Ramsey County’s lead window replacement program, at RamseyCounty.us/Lead.
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BizRecycling seeks applicants for business waste reduction and innovation grants
BizRecycling’s new Business Waste Reduction and Innovation Grants are open for application. Businesses awarded grants will receive up to $50,000 to help implement waste reduction efforts. Eligible projects reduce waste through reuse, donation, purchasing, packaging reduction or remanufacturing. Applications due Nov. 1. Learn more and apply at BizRecycling.com/Innovation.
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Need to know / Nice to know
Need to know:
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) maintains a database of certified compostable products. Bookmark this link for easy access. Remember, to be accepted in food scraps, compostable items should have a logo from either BPI or the Compost Manufacturing Alliance.
Nice to know:
In 2018, over 22 million tons of yard waste were composted. That’s a five-fold increase since 1990. Source
Save the Food recipe of the month
Too many apples or perhaps sick of apple crisp? Bake up some soft, warmly spiced apple cookies. Explore more ways to prevent food waste at SaveTheFood.com.
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Household hazardous waste collection event
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Saturday, Oct. 2 (7 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
401 Concord St.
Saint Paul
Household hazardous waste mobile collection site
Aldrich Arena
Fridays in Oct. (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Saturdays in Oct. (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
1850 White Bear Ave.
Maplewood
Fire Prevention Week
Oct. 3 - 9
Learn more
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Oct. 24 - 30
Learn more
Household hazardous waste year-round collection site
Bay West facility
Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
5 Empire Drive
Saint Paul
Fix-it Clinics
The Oct. 23 Fix-it Clinic has been cancelled.
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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 Containers for Events
Ramsey County's lending program for event recycling containers has been suspended until further notice.
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.
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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