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An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County. |
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Starting an eco-friendly habit as we enter the new year? Just like establishing any new habit, training yourself to reduce food waste, collect food scraps or reuse items takes intention and patience. Here are five tips to help set yourself up for eco-friendly success.
Read more
Waste or recycling questions?
Here’s who to contact
Trash not picked up? Not sure if something is recyclable? Wondering how to get rid of an old couch? Here’s who to contact.
Read more
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How to dispose of holiday greenery
As the holiday season wraps up, make sure to dispose of evergreen trees and other holiday greenery correctly.
Holiday trees
Bring trees to the following yard waste sites: Arden Hills, Frank and Sims, Midway and White Bear Township. Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel and tree bags before disposal. Flocked trees (which are painted, or flocked, to look like they are covered in snow) are not accepted and should be placed in the trash. You can also contact your trash hauler to pick up your tree. Call to verify items accepted, collection days and fees.
Holiday greenery
Holiday greenery refers to evergreen décor, like wreaths, swags, boughs and garland. Holiday greenery is not accepted at the yard waste sites. This is because of the high potential for contamination from metal and decorations. Put holiday greenery in a plastic bag and place in the trash.
Special instruction for 2022
Dispose of trees and holiday greenery in a timely manner to limit the spread of potential invasive pests, like elongate hemlock scale (EHS) and Lymantria dispar (formerly known as gypsy moth).
Do not leave trees and holiday greenery out in your yard or backyard compost pile all winter. This increases the risk of the greenery either getting or spreading an invasive pest. Do not burn trees or holiday greenery.
Evergreen trees and greenery grown in Minnesota have not been found infested with EHS. However, EHS and Lymantria dispar have been found on trees imported to Minnesota.
Learn more best management practices for holiday greenery.
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What to do with books
Here’s how to recycle or dispose of books.
Usable books: Consider selling or donating usable books. Learn more about reuse and donation opportunities
Unusable books: Contact your recycling hauler to see if paperback and/or hardcover books are accepted. Most recycling haulers accept paperback books. Plastic bindings and plastic covers should be removed and put in the trash before recycling books.
If your recycling hauler does not accept unusable books, you can place them in the trash.
Books that light up or play music do not belong in the trash or recycling because the battery inside may be toxic. Bring them to the household hazardous waste collection sites for free.
Thank you to Ramsey County resident, Ben, for suggesting this topic. Have a topic you’d like us to feature? Email AskEH@ramseycounty.us.
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Food saving tip of the
month: stock buckets
Veggie scraps, like carrot and potato peels, onion skins, mushroom stems and celery leaves, can be used to make homemade broth. Use a clean small container or resealable bag labelled “Stock Bucket” to collect veggie trimmings during the week’s cooking. Store tightly covered in the fridge or freezer. Then, boil the scraps in water to make a broth that can be used in soups, stews, braises, hotdishes and more. After making broth, put well-drained scraps in your food scraps container to be composted.
Here’s the process in action (video: 5 min.).
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Need to know / Nice to know
Need to know: All types of batteries are accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites for free and safe disposal. Batteries thrown in the trash or recycling can catch fire and be hazardous to people and property. Learn more
Nice to know: Much of the woody material (e.g., branches and shrubs) collected at Ramsey County’s yard waste sites is sent to District Energy in Saint Paul, where it is used as fuel to generate electricity. Learn more
News flash
- NEW! The Highland Park food scraps 24/7 drop-off is now open. Learn more
- January is National Radon Action Month. Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health. Ramsey County offers $2 radon tests to residents. Learn more
- Attention businesses: The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is accepting project proposals for their 2022 summer intern program. Interns assist businesses with waste reduction and energy efficiency projects. Learn more
- "Tanglers" are a HUGE contaminant in curbside recycling. Do not put them in curbside recycling. Put hoses in the trash. Bring extension cords and holiday string lights to a household hazardous waste collection site.
Just for fun
It's 2022. Phew! Want to try something new? Grab a food scraps starter kit and some free compostable bags, too.
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Seed Talk: Growing Indoor Plants
Hosted by the Ramsey County Libraries
Webinar: Tuesday, Jan. 11
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn more
Ramsey County Master Gardeners Present:
Growing Microgreens
Webinar: Thursday, Jan. 13
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Learn more
Yard waste collection sites
Winter hours (December - March)
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Locations
Household hazardous waste year-round collection site
Bay West facility
Winter hours (December - March)
Fridays and Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
5 Empire Drive
Saint Paul
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A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide
Use this guide to learn how to properly recycle or dispose of many items.
BizRecycling
BizRecycling helps businesses, non-profits, schools, apartment buildings and institutions in Ramsey and Washington counties reduce waste and recycle better.
Recycling containers for events
Ramsey County's event container lending program is suspended until further notice. Many cities and Saint Paul district councils continue to lend out containers. Find a pick up location
Radon
Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas. Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health. Ramsey County offers $2 radon tests to residents. Learn more
Gardening and landscaping
Learn more about eco-friendly gardening and landscaping from a Ramsey County Master Gardener.
Parks and Recreation
Explore what Ramsey County has to offer for parks, trails and recreational activities year round.
Soil and Water Conservation
The Soil & Water Conservation Division maintains and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County. Learn what programs are taking place in your neighborhood.
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