Announcements
2019 Annual Workshop
Date: Wednesday, June 19 Time: 9:30-4:00 p.m. Location: Bryant Lake Regional Park, 6800 Rowland Rd, Eden Prairie |
MPCA Market Development Subgroup Update
MPCA plans to have the first meeting of the Markets Development subgroup sometime in October 2018. They have heard from nine people interested in participating. Others are always welcome. We will share the date, time, and agenda when it is available. If you have any questions, please contact MPCA Wayne Gjerde wayne.gjerde@state.mn.us 651-757-2392 or Susan Heffron susan.heffron@state.mn.us 651-757-2417 |
Minnesota Recycling Talking Points
MPCA has provided talking points as requested at the July 11, 2018 "State of Recycling" meeting. These talking points can be used as needed in talking with citizens/others about the state of recycling in Minnesota. If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Gjerde wayne.gjerde@state.mn.us 651-757-2392 or Susan Heffron susan.heffron@state.mn.us 651-757-2417 |
Interested in joining a Recycling Market Development Subgroup?
In the 2015 MPCA Policy Report, one of the recommendations was to revive the Market Development Council. We are at a watershed moment where a group like this could be helpful. Because of the immediate need, the MPCA suggests forming a less formal working subgroup with specific expectations. If you are interested in being part of a market development subgroup, please email Mark Rust at mark.rust@state.mn.us by Friday August 3rd. The MPCA envisions that MPCA staff would help set up this group, but it would be led by other members. |
MPCA Summary of July 11th, 2018 State of Recycling Meeting
MPCA held a meeting on July 11th, 2018 open to government agencies and haulers to discuss the “State of Recycling in Minnesota". Click here for the meeting summary and next steps. Recycling Partnerships presentation slides from the meeting can be found here, and MPCA/Wayne Gjerde's slides on MN Recycling Markets can be found here. |
MPCA Recycling Photos Available
The MPCA has a wealth of photos available on the agency's Flickr site. You don't need to sign in or have an account to access our Flickr photos. The images are organized by topic and easily downloadable. To download, click the image you want, click on the down arrow icon on the right side under the photo, and choose the image size. MPCA photos cover topics such agriculture, air pollution, solid waste and recycling, water quality, alternative energy, blue-green algae, stormwater, and more. You can also find images from the MPCA's annual Eco Experience exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair. Images on the Flickr site generally have caption and background information included. We request that you attribute the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as the source of any image you use. If you have questions about these images or their use, please contact Mary Connor (651-757-2629). |
Elections at April Meeting
Elections will take place at the April ARM meeting. If you are interested in being an officer, please email jmoore@ci.shorewood.mn.us and we will add your name to the candidate list! |
Seattle Passes First-Ever Legislation to Combat Greenwashing
As we all work to prevent food waste and compost what isn’t prevented, it will be increasingly important to eliminate confusing and look-alike packaging that is not compostable, but appears to be. Earlier this week, Seattle City Council passed first-in-the-nation legislation to address the growing problem of non-compostable bags being mistaken for compostable bags. The legislation passed unanimously and does the following:
• Non-compostable plastic bags provided to customers must not be tinted green or brown • Such as produce bags • Compostable bags provided to customers must be tinted green or brown and must be labeled compostable • Bags provided to customers cannot be labeled biodegradable, degradable, decomposable or similar terms • Establishes definition for compostable • Makes a mandatory minimum charge of $.05 for large paper carryout bags permanent
The legislation and the presentation to Council can be viewed at ordinance. Click the Text tab for the legislation. Supporting documents include a summary and fiscal note, the presentation and an adopted amendment regarding reporting.
Press release is attached. |
Policy Plan Comments Due 9/16
Comments on the draft policy plan must be received to MPCA no later than
4:30 pm on September 16, 2016.
For more information, to request a paper copy of the draft policy plan, or to submit comments on the proposed policy plan revisions, contact Johanna Kertesz, johannakertesz@state.mn.us. A draft version of the policy plan was placed on public notice on July 11, 2016. A copy of the draft is available at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/public-notices (search for notices from July 11, 2016). The direct link to the draft is https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-sw7-21a.pdf. |
Walgreens Not Accepting Medicines in MN
Currently Walgreens stores in MN will not be accepting medicines for recycling, despite the press release information recently released. Watch for further updates. |