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An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County. |
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2022 year in review
2022 was a busy year for the Environmental Health division of Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health. We were able to resume programs that were paused due to COVID-19, as well as continue many other important services that have been available throughout the pandemic.
Join us in reflecting on the work we accomplished over the past year to protect and serve our communities and environment.
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Waste reduction and reuse
- Fix-It Clinics returned after a 2.5-year break due to COVID. Clinics resumed on November 19, with a busy event at Maplewood Library. Over 370 lbs. of items were repaired and successfully kept out of the trash. Fix-It Clinics let residents bring broken household items for free repair with the help of volunteer fixers. Future clinic dates and times.
- Ramsey and Washington counties launched a campaign to encourage food waste reduction.
- Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health helped save roughly 20,000 lbs. of county building waste from the trash by finding new uses for unwanted county items such as office equipment.
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Recycling
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BizRecycling expanded its array of grants available to help businesses expand or improve waste reduction and recycling practices.
- Forty-five residents became Recycling Ambassadors. They trained to educate their communities about reducing waste and recycling better.
- Three schools/districts received grants totaling $58,496 to support waste reduction and recycling in their buildings.
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Food scraps
- A new 24/7 food scraps drop-off site opened at Dunning Recreation Center in Saint Paul, bringing the county up to ten 24/7 drop-off sites and seven yard waste sites (where food scraps can also be dropped off during operating hours).
- Environmental Health staff sorted the contents of seven food scraps drop-off dumpsters at two collection sites. More than 99% of the sorted materials were acceptable for composting. Receiving only food scraps and other compostable materials at these collection sites helps ensure that high-quality compost is created.
- Partnering with Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E), Ramsey County delivered 314 cubic yards of compost derived from food scraps to community gardens in 2022. Ramsey County is also partnering with R&E to study the benefits of using compost made from food scraps.
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Other waste
- Ramsey County residents can now recycle electronic waste, televisions, computers and more for free thanks to a partnership with Repowered. Learn more.
- The county made progress toward its Enhancing Environmental Health Services initiative, which aims to improve accessibility and participation in recycling and waste disposal services for all residents. This will include opening a new Environmental Service Center at 1700 Kent St. in Roseville, which will be a home base for recycling drop-off services, educational opportunities and reuse and repair resources.
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Solid & hazardous waste and food/pool/lodging regulation and inspections
- 2022 was the first year of a new collaboration with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to streamline hazardous waste regulation. Ramsey County and the MPCA will work more closely to better serve residents and businesses.
- Non-profit hunger relief agencies now have no license fee. Restaurants that are working to divert food waste can now receive a larger discount on their license fees.
Healthy Homes
- In 2022, Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health assessed lead levels in over 200 homes. Staff completed 28 lead remediation projects, replacing more than 400 windows.
- Environmental Health distributed more than 400 subsidized radon test kits in 2022 and launched a radon mitigation program. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, invisible, naturally occurring, radioactive gas. It is the nation’s second leading cause of lung cancer, and the Minnesota Department of Health recommends every home be tested for radon. Learn more.
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Climate change
- The county created and filled a new position – climate and health planner – to help the county respond to climate change.
- Ramsey County Environmental Health started a series of climate engagement sessions with the community and assisted with the adoption of a 2022 countywide strategic plan, Responding to Climate Change and improving Community Resilience.
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Policy and planning
- With Hennepin and Washington counties, Ramsey County advocated for legislation that supports an economy that prioritizes reuse and extends the lifetimes of items.
- The Environmental Health Fellows program helps provide career pathways into environmental health with a focus to recruit applicants from underrepresented, racially and culturally diverse communities. Two candidates were selected to serve for two years.
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Thank you for supporting our programs. We look forward to continuing to serve Ramsey County in 2023!
News flash
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January is National Radon Action Month. Did you know? Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health. Ramsey County offers $2 radon tests to residents. Learn more.
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The medicine drop box located at the Maplewood Police Department will permanently close on Feb. 1, 2023. Find other collection sites for unwanted medicine or check with your local pharmacy or clinic for disposal options.
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Want to improve recycling in your apartment building? Let BizRecycling do the heavy lifting–and foot the bill! BizRecycling offers grants of up to $20,000 for equipment, educational materials and more! Learn more at BizRecycling.com.
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Ramsey County Master Gardeners present: Home composting
Thursday, Jan. 19
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Online event
Learn more
Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic
Saturday, Jan. 28
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
RCL - White Bear Lake
Learn more
Yard waste collection sites
Mondays - Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Locations
Household hazardous waste collection year-round site
Mondays - Thursdays: Closed
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sundays: Closed
5 Empire Drive
Saint Paul
(Bay West facility)
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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.
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.
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
Recycling containers for events
Reserve free recycling and food scraps containers to reduce waste. Containers are loaned to Ramsey County residents and organizations for any temporary event. Find a pickup location
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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