Share your ideas for a zero-waste future
The Zero Waste Plan
The Hennepin County Zero Waste Plan (PDF) is now available.
Hennepin County is committed to achieving a zero-waste future where all materials are designed to become resources for others to use, the volume and toxicity of waste and materials is systematically eliminated, and all resources are conserved and recovered and not burned or buried.
The county has defined zero waste as preventing 90% or more of all discarded materials from being landfilled or incinerated. The actions in the Hennepin County Zero Waste Plan are designed to collectively move the county as close as possible to the goal of zero waste.
Preventing waste
Share about your journey in waste prevention.
- What is one action you take now to prevent waste?
- What is one waste prevention action that you want to be doing, but aren’t doing yet?
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Growing Sprouts on our Kitchen Counter
We are adding to our supply of fresh vegies by growing exactly the amount of sprouts we want for our salads and and sandwiches by sprouting seeds in mason jars on our kitchen counter. Many varieties of seeds are available in packs and in bulk at the coop, sandwich sprout mix, broccoli seeds, lentils, chick peas, etc. -
Farm pigs
I live in a small farm town community. All our old produce can go in a bag in the freezer and drop it off at your local farmer. They will use it to feed their sheep and pigs.
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Make It Homemade!
I have been “making my own” for so many things and the ingredients can usually be purchased package free. Consider the prepared food items you buy and think about what you can make. It does take more time, but with practice comes efficiency. I recently started making homemade ice cream. I borrowed a friend’s ice cream maker, and buy the milk and cream in glass returnable bottles. It is so much better homemade and no ice cream carton to throw away. Buy used equipment or borrow from a friend.Before Covid, there were deli counters where you could buy food... Continue reading
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Pela Lomi organic composter
Living in an apartment, traditional backyard composting is not an option for us. Also our multi-family housing building does not provide any organic disposal options.
We participated in a crowd-fundraising campaign for Pela Lomi. Now that the vast majority of our organics are composted in Lomi, we have experienced a major reduction in trash generation. We used to take out the garbage every two days, now down to once per week.
The dirt output from the Lomi is mixed into our patio garden planter containers. The volume reduction is quite large, the compost is probably 15% to 25% of the... Continue reading
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No plastic in grocery shopping
I do three things consistently:1. I take cloth bags of all sizes to pack my groceries in. I buy bulk as much as possible - rice, spices, nuts, beans, salt, sugar, coffee etc.
2. I refuse to buy fruits or vegetables wrapped in plastic. I don't buy berries, cauliflower, salads in plastic containers, chips, pasta - if it is wrapped even in an inch of plastic, I do not buy it.
3. I am wlling to spend some extra money to buy meat from the butcher or co-op wrapped in paper. I do not buy meat or fish wrapped... Continue reading
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Ridwell
I subscribe to a service called Ridwell that comes every other week and picks up items like plastic bags, bubble wrap, produce bags, Amazon packaging, batteries, light bulbs, and clothing. They also have a featured category that they pick up every other week like cords and cables, books, printer cartridges and holiday lights. Check them out at www.ridwell.com. -
Being aware of my purchases and their packaging
I have started to look for options when I go to make most any purchase, looking for products and packaging that lean towards less waste. Need a new toothbrush or tube of toothpaste? Instead of a toothbrush with a plastic handle in plastic packaging, switch to a compostable bamboo brush in paperboard packaging and toothpaste tablets - plus ask your dentist to do the same with the products they provide patients. Like orange juice in a carton? Eat a fresh orange instead and compost its peel. Cooking oil in a plastic bottle? Switch to oil in your own refillable container... Continue reading
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Buy Less; Buy Better
I think critically about whether I need to buy something, such as a personal or household item. Is it made of plastic/polyester; is it not built to last; is it brand new? If the answers to these are all yes (which they commonly area) then it’s likely I won’t buy it. Make sure what you buy is worth your investment.
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Compost
I live in Maple Grove and there aren't many curbside organics options and I don't see my neighbors doing this. Let's make organic composting the norm by providing free curbside pickup. -
I purchase the container too.
I recently started trying to reduce my waste by buying in bulk and reducing as much as possible the containers I buy, but especially no nonrecyclable containers. It has been difficult, involving time, planning, and bit more expense. But very rewarding to feel that I'm doing something. It also opened my eyes to actually noticing that when I buy something, I'm buying the container. I wonder if it would be possible to start a public awareness campaign making us all aware that we are actually paying for that piece of garbage! And hopefully consumers would start to boycott the products... Continue reading
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Who's Listening
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Zero Waste Community Group Cohort Project Lead
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Environmental Engagement Coordinator
Email joseph.vital@hennepin.us -
Zero Waste Program Specialist
Email amy.maas@hennepin.us -
Waste Prevention and Recycling Specialist
