An environmental health newsletter from Ramsey County.

July 2025

Donate leftover school supplies in July

Calling all parents, families, teachers and students! Donate gently used markers, pencils, notebooks, backpacks, lunch boxes and more for the free Ramsey County School Supply Swap on Aug. 2. This family-friendly event helps reduce waste and support students by rehoming school supplies with plenty of life left.

Drop off donated supplies at the Environmental Center and any Ramsey County library branch location until Friday, Aug. 1. 

Accepted items:

• Pencils/pens/markers/crayons.
• Notebooks.
• Lined or graphing paper.
• Calculators (working).
• Rulers/protractors/compasses.
• Scissors.
• Erasers.
• Glue sticks.
• Watercolor paints.
• Pencil cases.
• Pencil sharpeners.
• Backpacks (working zippers, no rips/tears/stains).
• 3-ring binders (1-inch only).
• Pocket folders.

Donations should be gently used with life still left for other students to use. 

Come to the School Supply Swap on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Ramsey County Environmental Center. The event goes from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. All are welcome!

Learn more.

Free lead screening for soil on July 15 Residents living in zip codes 55106 and 55130 are invited to bring a soil sample from their yard to the Eastside YMCA, July 15, and have it screened for lead free of charge. Read more.

Save money, save time, save the planet: Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge to see how you can save money, time and the planet by tweaking your kitchen habits. Wasted food is a waste of money. The average family of four spends more than $2,500 on food that gets tossed every year. We waste time shopping for food we don’t have a plan to use and cooking food we forget to eat. All that uneaten food wastes the resources, energy and labor used to create it. By coming together with our community, we can make a real difference toward reducing waste and fighting climate change. Take the Stop Food Waste Challenge this August to learn better strategies for buying food you’ll eat and eating the food you buy.

Ask EH: How do I dispose of needles and injectors? Answer: Using Ozempic, Wegovy or other injected medications? Keep everyone safe! Place used injector pens in a sturdy container (like a detergent bottle) with the cap screwed on and label the container “SHARPS” and drop off at the Ramsey County Environmental Center. Your small step prevents injuries to waste workers! Do you have a question about recycling and disposal and can’t find the answer in our A to Z Green Guide? Call our Recycling & Disposal hotline at 651-633-EASY (3279) or send us a message.

Food waste prevention spotlight: Ramsey County Corrections

Ramsey County Correctional Facility (RCCF) and Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) both participate in the Ramsey County Food Waste Diversion Program. These facilities collect food scraps that eventually get turned into compost. This helps reduce the amount of food scraps going in the trash and promotes healthy soil.

Save the food recipe of the month: Cilantro stem green sauce

Did you know you can cook with cilantro stems? Serve this cilantro stem green sauce from Save the Food at your next cookout!

Good to know

• Pick up free household products at the Environmental Center. Summer projects underway? Pick up used paint, automotive products, household cleaners and other items with plenty of life left! Learn more about our Reuse Room. 
• Get gardening questions answered at Fix-It Clinics. Throughout the summer, U of MN Extension garden volunteers will offer gardening advice at monthly Fix-It Clinics. Learn more about this opportunity. 

Gardening with native plants

Saturday, July 12
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ramsey County Library - Shoreview

Gardening class: Home composting

Monday, July 14
6-7:30 p.m.
Ramsey County Library - Maplewood

Soil screening event

Tuesday, July 15
3-7 p.m.
Eastside YMCA

A to Z Green Guide 

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.

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. Order a testing kit.

Recycling containers for events

Reserve free recycling and food scraps containers to reduce waste. Many cities and Saint Paul district councils lend out containers. Find a pick up location.

Soil and Water Conservation 

The Soil and Water Conservation Division maintains and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County. Learn what programs are taking place in your neighborhood.

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