recycle

Greener Design and Remodeling

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Author
Michael Anschel
Otogawa-Anschel Design + Build
Publication Date: 
November 1, 2010
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If you are reading this article, you may already know the importance of considering our planet's resources when designing our homes. Determining the most sustainable solutions is a real challenge. Should you invest in solar panels? Should you buy the carpet with the Green label? Which design solutions have the highest impact?


In order to help you make these important decisions for your home, designers Greg Kraus, Chie Morioka, and Scott Barsness of Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build provide some helpful tips.

Resources
On the Web!: 
U.S. Green Building Council, usgbc.org
All things green building, greenbuildingadvisor.com
Materials database, pharosproject.org
Read Up!: 
Cats' Paws and Catapults:Mechanical Worlds of Nature and People, by Steven Vogel, Norton, 2000.
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction, by Christopher Alexander, Oxford University Press, 1977.
Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live, by Sarah Susanka, Taunton, 2009.
Act Locally!: 
Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Minneapolis, MN 612-789-7070 otogawa-anschel.com

Funding A$$istance for Green Building Projects


Established in 1995, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is an ongoing project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Here are some examples of financing programs, tax incentives, loan programs and rebates:


Financing

  • Local Option: Energy Improvement Financing Programs

Performance-Based Incentive

  • Austin Utilities: Solar Choice Program
  • Minnesota: Renewable Energy Production Incentive

Property Tax Incentive

  • Wind and Solar-Electric (PV) Systems Exemption

Sales Tax Incentive

  • Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption
  • Wind Energy Sales Tax Exemption

State Grant Program

  • Renewable Energy Equipment Grant
  • Solar Energy Legacy Grants for Local Governments

State Loan Program

  • Agricultural Improvement Loan Program
  • Home Energy Loan Program
  • Methane Digester Loan Program
  • MHFA Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program
  • NEC Minnesota Energy Loan Program
  • Rental Energy Loan Fund
  • Sustainable Agriculture Loan Program

State Rebate Program

  • Residential Small Wind Rebate Program
  • Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
  • Solar Space Heating Rebate Program
  • Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate Program


Visit the following link for up to date information on these financing options and scroll down to Minnesota listings: dsireusa.org/incentives

Green Product Shopping Tips

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Author
Kate Rime
Chinook Book, the original Blue Sky Guide
Publication Date: 
November 1, 2010

When looking for green products it helps to return to the ol' Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Resources
Read Up!: 
The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, by Michael Brower & Warren Leon, Three Rivers Press, 1999.
The Better World Handbook: Small Changes That Make A Big Difference, by Ellis Jones, Ross Haenfler and Brett Johnson, New Society Publishers, 2007.
Act Locally!: 
Chinook Book, chinookbook.net
Do It Green! Directory, doitgreen.org/directory
Moss Envy, mossenvy.com
Recycled Products Guide, recycleminnesota.org/htm /ReProd.htm

A Journal from Old Greeting Cards

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Author
Alena Hyams
Do It Green! Minnesota
Publication Date: 
November 1, 2010
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When you get a card in the mail, what do you normally do with it? Do you post it on the fridge? Maybe save your cards in a box? Or do you read it and throw it away (or recycle it)? In an effort to cut down on the amount of waste created by greeting cards, we would like to offer some ideas on ways to re-use your old greeting cards!


Some options include cutting the cards into strips to use as bookmarks or folding them into origami holiday ornaments or gift boxes. However, the option that we will illustrate is how to "make your own mini journal."

Resources
On the Web!: 
“Making Your Own Mini Journal,” craftydaisies.com/2007/07/05 /making-your-own-mini-journal/
squidoo.com/recycleholidaycards
makingfriends.com/readers_cards .htm
Act Locally!: 
ArtScraps St. Paul, MN 651-698-2787 artstart.org/reusestore.html

Sustainability in the Office

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Author
Reprinted with permission from Minnesota Waste Wise
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Offices contribute greatly to the waste generated in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), each year the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of office paper, and the average American throws away 1.6 billion single-use pens.
Footnotes/Endnotes

ON THE WEB!

Do It Green!, Minnesota,
doitgreen.org
(see Business section)

Minnesota Pollution Control, Agency, reduce.org

Minnesota Waste Wise,
St. Paul, MN, mnwastewise.org

National Resources Defense Council, nrdc.org/enterprise
/greeningadvisor/pa-reducing.asp

Green Gatherings NEW PARTNERSHIP FORMED TO HELP EVENTS OF ALL SIZES GO GREEN

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Author
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GREENGATHERINGS PROJECT PARTNERS
In late 2007, a unique partnership named GreenGatherings was formed to shape the greening of events, large and small, in the Twin Cities metro-area, beginning with the 2008 Republican National Convention. With the eyes of the world on our region, the partnership saw a tremendous opportunity to collaborate and showcase the region's environmental practices as well as shape the environmental impact of future events in the area.

The project partners include Ramsey and Hennepin Counties, the Cities of Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Bloomington, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and

Footnotes/Endnotes
ON THE WEB!

How to Host a Green Gathering Checklist,
doitgreen.org (go to "Business")

GreenGatherings Project,
www.mngreengatherings.org

Green Meetings Industry Council,
www.greenmeetings.info/index.htm

How to Host a Green Gathering Checklist,
co.ramsey.mn.us (search for "host a green gathering")

Act Locally!

Green Gatherings Partnership Contacts:
St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health
Amber Dallman, 651-266-1179
Maplewood, MN
amber.dallman@co.ramsey.mn.us

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Rick Patraw, 651-215-0193
St. Paul, MN
Rick.patraw@state.mn.us

Waste? What’s the Problem?

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Author
ANGIE TIMMONS
Hennepin County Environmental Services
The average Minnesotan generates more than seven pounds of waste per day or more than a ton annually!
Footnotes/Endnotes

metro county contacts

Anoka County Integrated Waste Management,
AnokaCounty.us/recycle
763-323-5730

Carver County Environmental Services, co.carver.mn.us
952-361-1800

Dakota County Environmental Management,
co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7020

Hennepin County Environmental Services,
hennepin.us/environment
612-348-3777

Ramsey County Environmental Health, co.ramsey.mn.us/ph
Recycling/Solid Waste Hotline,
651-633-EASY (3279)

Scott County Environmental Health, co.scott.mn.us
952-496-8177

Washington County Public Health and Environment,
co.washington.mn.us
651-430-6655

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, reduce.org
www.recyclemoreminnesota.org
651-296-6300

Recycle Your Electronics

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Author
Did you know that most TVs and computer monitors contain two to eight pounds of toxic lead? Many electronics contain other toxic metals like mercury and cadmium, too. If any of these contaminants get into our rivers, streams, or lakes, they can harm our health and damage the environment.

Most TVs and computers contain a cathode ray tube (CRT). Electronic products containing a CRT may not be placed in the garbage (Minnesota Statutes §115A.9565).

Myths & Truths

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Author
EUREKA RECYCLING

Doesn't the symbol on the bottom of my plastic mean it's recyclable?

Green Weddings: Celebrating Mindfully

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Author
JESSIE HOULIHAN
Do It Green! Minnesota
A marriage ceremony and reception are among the most memorable celebrations in a person's life. Traditionally, weddings evoke memories of lavish flowers, extravagant gowns, sparkling diamond engagement rings, elaborate meals, wedding favors, and guests from around the world. What most people don't envision is the immense cost financially and environmentally that "perfect weddings" incur. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to reduce the environmental impact of a wedding and consequently save some money while maintaining the
Footnotes/Endnotes

ON THE WEB!

Great Green Wedding,
greatgreenwedding.com

The Knot (search for "green"),
theknot.com

Read Up!

Eco-chic Weddings, by Emily Anderson, Hatherleigh Press, 2007.
ecochicweddings.com

Green Weddings That Don't Cost the Earth, by Carol Reed-Jones, Paper Crane Press, 1996.

Act Locally!

Flings Event Design
Minneapolis, MN
612-227-0136
flingseventdesign.com

Good Life Catering
Minneapolis, MN
612-220-0163 (Jenny)
612-220-1560 (Karn)
goodlifecatering.com

Cradle to Grave: The Life of Plastic Bags

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Author
Reprinted from REUSABLEBAGS.COM
popular website
Well over a billion single-use plastic bags are given out for free each day in the world. But as the old adage says, nothing comes for free. Here are some facts to illustrate the actual costs paid by our environment and society for the fleeting convenience of unlimited, free, single-use plastic bags.
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