recycle

Sustainability in the Office

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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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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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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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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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EUREKA RECYCLING

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

Green Weddings: Celebrating Mindfully

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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
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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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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.

Family Activity

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Compiled from
REDUCE.ORG and DOITGREEN.ORG.

1. Determine how much food waste you create each day for lunch-measure and track all the food you throw away from your lunch during one week on a chart at home.

2. Brainstorm ways to reduce how much food and trash you are throwing in the garbage by 50% using the tips above.

3. Measure and track your waste after implementing no waste lunch ideas.

4. If you've achieved your goal, pack special no waste treats in your lunch!

 

Footnotes/Endnotes

Ideas for reducing waste at school, work and home, reduce.org

Getting an A at Lunch: Smart Strategies to Reduce Waste in Campus Dining guide. Download informinc.org/getatlunch.php

Success stories including schools in Minnesota
wastefreelunches.org/success.html

Call the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for multiple copies of "Creating Less Waste at School" 651-215-0232 or email clearinghouse@pca.state.mn.us

Raising an Organic Baby on a Budget

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Sara Grochowski
Do It Green! Minnesota

Every decision we make can impact the air, soil, water and our health. If there is one time when these decisions have heightened awareness, it is when people are about to have a baby. People are more motivated to make changes in their life both for their own health as well as for their children. According to the World Health Organization, children’s cancer rates are on the rise, childhood asthma incidence has doubled and learning disorders continue to increase, making it imperative that parents limit exposure to household toxins before and after their children arrive.

Footnotes/Endnotes

La Leche League International

Mothering, Natural Family Living

Holistic Moms Network

The Do It Green! Minnesota Family section

The Complete Organic Pregnancy, Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu, HarperCollins, 2006.

Natural Family Living: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Parenting, Peggy O’Mara,. Pocket Books, 2000.

Peapods, St. Paul, MN
651-695-5559 • peapods.com

Nu-Look Consignment Apparel
Minneapolis, MN, 612-925-0806
nulookconsignment.com

Green Up Youth Sports

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Ryan North
Twin Cities Green Home Store and parent

Ten Things You can do to Green Up Your Youth Sports Experience

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