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<br />Energy, recycling, and the environment--some things you can do this fall
<br />Nature provides our lakes and
<br />streams with more nutrients – in
<br />the form of decaying leaves – than
<br />they can process every fall. Excess nutri-
<br />ents lead to algae growth during warmer
<br />months and, in extreme cases, cause the
<br />water to become green and foul smelling.
<br />Prior to modern development, the land-
<br />scape slowly absorbed most of these extra
<br />nutrients. Today, the storm sewer system
<br />collects runoff during rainstorms and
<br />quickly carries leaves and anything else
<br />found on city streets, sidewalks, and roofs
<br />to the nearest storm drain and waterbody.
<br />Think of it as experiencing Thanksgiving
<br />meals on a regular basis.
<br />Your body does not require that much food
<br />and cannot use it in a way that is good for
<br />you. The same is true of our lakes. Our
<br />lakes need your help! Many residents
<br />remove leaves and grass clippings from
<br />their yards and apply fertilizers. Instead of
<br />fertilizing your lawn, consider using your
<br />lawn mower to mulch leaves and grass
<br />clippings to provide the extra nutrients
<br />your grass needs. If you have more leaves
<br />than you can mulch into your grass this
<br />fall, consider composting them by creat-
<br />ing a pile and turning them with a shovel
<br />or pitch fork periodically. The more you
<br />turn the compost, the quicker it becomes a
<br />useful source of nutrients for your gardens.
<br />Leaves and our lakes--a little effort goes a long way!
<br />Lastly, some Rice
<br />Creek Watershed
<br />District cities offer
<br />yard waste pick-up
<br />and compost the
<br />material for you.
<br />Contact your city
<br />directly to learn more. These steps will
<br />protect nearby lakes and streams as well as
<br />save you time and money.
<br />Remember, for every five bags of leaves
<br />you compost or mulch into your lawn, you
<br />are keeping up to 500 pounds of algae from
<br />growing in your favorite swimming spot
<br />ofrfishing hole.
<br />You have heard of the three Rs: reduce,
<br />reuse, and recycle. For small appli-
<br />ances, such as blenders, coffee makers,
<br />toasters, and curling irons, let’s add a
<br />fourth R: repair.
<br />Repair Tips
<br />Small appliances that are not working often
<br />need minor repairs or parts replaced. Con-
<br />sider troubleshooting and repair options
<br />before getting rid of broken appliances.
<br />Some communities offer fix-it clinics
<br />where residents receive free, guided help
<br />from volunteers with repair skills to disas-
<br />semble, troubleshoot, and fix their items.
<br />About those small appliances
<br />Minnesota residents dispose of roughly
<br />three million tons of solid waste
<br />per year. The Minnesota Pollution Con-
<br />trol Agency found in a study that food
<br />and other organic waste makes up about
<br />one-third of our garbage, and that Min-
<br />nesotans throw away millions of pounds of
<br />recyclable paper, cans, and plastics every
<br />year. The top three components of garbage
<br />are organic waste (31 percent), paper (25
<br />percent), and plastics (18 percent).
<br />Recycle and Compost More
<br />The study pinpoints areas for improve-
<br />ment (most of these items are accepted in
<br />curbside recycling programs):
<br />• Food waste (519,400 tons) could be
<br />composted.
<br />• Paper (285,400 tons) could be re-
<br />cycled.
<br />• Plastic bags and film (192,600 tons)
<br />could be recycled.
<br />• Aluminum cans (12,000 tons) and
<br />plastic bottles (23,000 tons) could be
<br />recycled.
<br />Our recyclable material has economic
<br />value, and much of it is reprocessed into
<br />new forms of material. Check
<br />www.ramseyrecycles.com or call 651-633-
<br />3279 for more information.
<br />Nearly 40 percent of what
<br />we throw away can be re-
<br />cycled. When we increase
<br />our efforts, we’ll conserve
<br />energy, protect natural
<br />resources, and conserve
<br />landfill space.
<br />Garbage has demographics, too
<br />Fix-it clinics teach valuable troubleshoot-
<br />ing and basic repair
<br />skills. They also build
<br />community connections
<br />and reduce the number
<br />of repairable objects
<br />that are thrown in the
<br />trash. Check www.
<br />ramseyrecycles.com or call 651-633-3279
<br />for a list of free fix-it clinics.
<br />Also available is information regarding
<br />how to extend the life of a small appliance
<br />as well as tips on reducing, reusing, and
<br />recycling small appliances.
<br />The Energy Conservation Deferred Loan
<br />provides up to $6,500 in forgivable financ-
<br />ing for the energy improvements you need
<br />today, including new furnaces, boilers, and
<br />insulation. Eligible upgrades will be identi-
<br />fied in a home energy audit. Make ZERO
<br />payments, pay ZERO interest, and OWE
<br />NOTHING when you own your home for
<br />ten additional years.
<br />
<br />Don’t spend another winter in a chilly,
<br />drafty house with high energy bills. The
<br />Neighborhood Energy Connection is a
<br />trusted 30-year old nonprofit right here in
<br />Ramsey County. Call them at 651-789-
<br />5706 or visit online at the nec.org/home-
<br />loans/forgiveable-home-improvement.
<br />Do I qualify?
<br />• Your home was built before 1995.
<br />• The market value of your home is less
<br />than $251,750.
<br />• Your household assets are under $50,000,
<br />excluding the value of your home, autos,
<br />and retirement fund.
<br />• Maximun household income:
<br /> 1 person $48,560 5 people $74,880
<br /> 2 people $55,440 6 people $80,400
<br /> 3 people $62,400 7 people $85,920
<br /> 4 people $69,280 8 people $91,520
<br />
<br />Why be cold? The NEC makes energy improvements easy
<br />BUILD continued from page 1
<br />from the Neighborhood Energy Connection
<br />from the Rice Creek Watershed District
<br />from Ramsey Recycles
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