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An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County. |
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2023 year in review
The Environmental Health division of Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health had a busy year that included breaking ground on the new Environmental Service Center, piloting and rolling out the food scraps pickup program, drafting a countywide Climate Action Framework and much more!
Join us in reflecting on some of the work we accomplished over the past year to protect and serve our communities and environment.
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Waste reduction and reuse
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Ramsey County partnered with Hennepin and Washington counties to offer the Stop Food Waste Challenge. Through the challenge, 590 residents kept 2,330 pounds of food waste out of the trash.
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A total of 522 residents attended 12 Fix-It Clinics in 2023. Fixers helped repair 728 items, keeping over 3,260 pounds of materials out of the trash.
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Deconstruction projects helped keep over 18 tons of construction and demolition related materials out of landfills. Learn about deconstruction grants.
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The Food Scraps Pickup Program was successfully piloted in four areas before rolling out to all residents in Maplewood and North Saint Paul, along with Cottage Grove and Newport in Washington County. Visit the program website to sign up for notifications when the program launches in new areas.
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Through grants and programming, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy helped recover over eight million pounds of food and redistributed it to people in need.
 Recycling
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This year, 47 new Recycling Ambassador volunteers supported waste reduction projects in the region. They helped engage nearly 10,000 residents at almost 90 events in the community.
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Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy staff led 100 educational tours of the Recycling & Energy Center, welcoming more than 800 people.
- Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center installed a new resource recovery line that will recover up to 50,000 tons of recyclable materials (cardboard, plastics, metal) from the waste stream annually.
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Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy also partnered with cities and multi-unit residential properties to collect and recycle nearly 5,000 mattresses.
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The BizRecycling grant portfolio expanded to better support local businesses and apartment buildings to reduce and manage waste.
 Collection programs
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The county gathered community feedback on the county’s Environmental Service Center. Through 10 open house events, surveys and tabling in the community, Environmental Health received feedback on location, layout and design for the new facility. The county broke ground on the facility in November.
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Environmental Health implemented a new policy banning the use of mechanized dumping trailers and trucks at yard waste sites. This helps keep sites safer and less congested.
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A total of 14,557 residents participated in the first full year of the electronics collection program, bringing in 853,099 pounds of electronics for repurposing and/or recycling.
 Climate action
- To reduce climate pollution, improve air quality and reduce fleet costs among local government entities, Ramsey County collaborated with multiple cities to co-host an electric vehicle and equipment expo for public entity staff.
- Staff drafted a countywide Climate Action Framework that will guide energy efficiency and emissions reduction work as well as services that support community adaptation to the effects of climate change.
 Hazardous waste and food/pool/lodging regulation
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Staff conducted more than 720 hazardous waste inspections and successfully collaborated with other government agencies to ensure compliance in difficult cases.
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Business Pollution Prevention grants helped seven businesses reduce or completely eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals.
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Staff investigated about 130 complaints, including nine public health nuisances and four foodborne illness outbreaks (two of which were nationwide outbreaks/investigations).
 Healthy Homes
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A total of 73 properties enrolled in the 2023 Lead Remediation Program, which helps remove lead from homes. With county assistance, 1,144 windows coated with lead-based paint were removed from homes with young children.
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Healthy Homes Asthma program provided home visits to 30 families to identify asthma triggers and provide resources and education.
Thank you for supporting our programs. We look forward to continuing to serve Ramsey County in 2024!
News flash
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Kickstart your plastic-free journey: Take the Plastic-Free Challenge. The Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort starting Feb. 1 to reduce plastic consumption in ways that fit best with your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint. Sign up opens Jan. 1.
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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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Sustainability in the kitchen
Ramsey County Library
Sunday, Jan. 7
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
RCL - Roseville
Learn more
Ramsey County Master Gardeners present: Growing microgreens
Ramsey County Library
Thursday, Jan. 11
6 - 7:30 p.m.
RCL - Maplewood
Learn more
Food Scraps Pickup Program
Ramsey County Library
Wednesday, Jan. 24
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Online event
Learn more
Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic
Saturday, Jan. 27
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Last items accepted at 12:30 p.m.
West Minnehaha Recreation Center
Learn more
Ramsey County Master Gardeners present: Winter sowing
Ramsey County Library
Thursday, Feb. 8
6 - 7:30 p.m.
RCL - Roseville
Learn more
Ramsey County Fix-It Clinic
Saturday, Feb. 24
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Last items accepted at 12:30 p.m.
Hazelwood Professional Center, Room 201, Maplewood
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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