Connecting Black History Month and the environment

As we celebrate Black History Month, consider the many ways Black/African American communities have been impacted by the environment and have contributed to protecting, restoring and honoring our environment.

• Learn about local efforts to restore vitality in the Rondo neighborhood with the proposed construction of a land bridge over I-94 in Saint Paul.
• Be inspired by the stories of historic and current Black/African American environmentalists.
• Join the Environmental Protection Agency in celebrating several Black/African American scientists and engineers who protect human health and the environment.

Ramsey County proudly joins again this year with the city of Saint Paul to celebrate Black History Month and acknowledges the important contributions Black/African American communities have made to protect and improve our environment.

Recycling: Size matters

Did you know it’s important to pay attention to size when it comes to recycling certain items? Here’s a quick guide.

• Large plastic containers, like laundry baskets, storage bins and five-gallon buckets, are not accepted in recycling. They jam the sorting machines at recycling facilities. Put plastic containers larger than three gallons in the trash instead. Or find a way to reuse them.
• Small pieces of paper, like shredded paper, sticky notes and small receipts, are not accepted. The small pieces are difficult to sort at the recycling facilities and, therefore, don’t get recycled. The general guideline is to recycle paper larger than an index card and put smaller pieces in the trash. Contact your hauler for specific guidelines.
• Big pieces of cardboard can be cut or torn into smaller pieces to fit better in your recycling cart. Some haulers also allow cardboard to be stacked and tied together next to your cart. Contact your hauler for specific guidelines.

BizRecycling helps soul food be sustainable

BizRecycling helps businesses reduce waste and recycle better. The program recently helped West Indies Soul Food spruce up their eco-friendly practices. Grant-funded improvements included a new dishwasher and compostable takeout containers. Watch Sharon Richards-Noel, owner and founder of West Indies Soul Food, share her experience with BizRecycling (2 minutes).

Participate in the food scraps pick-up program trial

Ramsey and Washington counties will roll out a new food scraps pick-up program in late 2022 and into 2023. The counties are seeking trial participants to help test the program’s user experience. Participation requires two virtual meetings and two weeks of collecting food scraps and taking photos and/or videos of that experience. Participants will receive a $150 Visa gift card as compensation. People from a variety of backgrounds (family size, age, race, etc.) who do or do not already collect food scraps are invited to participate. Learn more and sign up.

Food saving tip of the month

Homemade breadcrumbs are a tasty way to use up old, stale bread. Collect bits of bread, like bread butts and stale rolls, in a container and store in the freezer. When ready, defrost bread, tear or cut into one-inch pieces and blitz in a food processor until you have fine crumbs. Add seasoning, like salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried herbs, if desired. Use breadcrumbs in meatballs, on top of hot dishes and pastas, and as a crunchy breading on baked or fried meat.

Need to know / Nice to know

Need to know: Bring sharps (needles, empty syringes and lancets) to a household hazardous waste collection site for free and safe disposal. Store them in a hard-sided plastic container (like a laundry detergent bottle) labelled “Sharps”. Tell staff when you drop them off. Bring sharps with medicine inside them to a medicine collection site.

Nice to know: Missing a button? Try replacing it yourself. It’s simpler than you think. Learn how with this video (4 minutes).