Congratulations to Neighborhood Businesses Recognized by Hennepin County for Their Recycling Efforts

Via a January 29 Hennepin County News Release:

Hennepin County recognizes 40 businesses for their extraordinary leadership in recycling

Hennepin County is pleased to recognize its 2014 Environmental Partners for their leading efforts to recycle and divert organic waste from the trash through composting, sending food scraps to local farmers to feed animals, or by donating edible food. By creating and sustaining strong recycling programs, these 40 businesses help conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the local economy.

The business sector generates more than half of the total waste in Hennepin County, and studies show that about one-third of that waste is food and food-soiled paper. Initiatives by businesses to increase recycling are critical to meeting the county’s recycling goals and will be required for most companies in the county starting in 2016.

“As a healthcare organization, our mission is to improve the health of our community,” said Wesli Waters, sustainability program manager for Fairview Health Services, a 2014 Environmental Partner. “By implementing sustainability initiatives such as recycling and composting, we are able to conserve resources, which improves the health of the environment, and ultimately the health of our communities. While these programs are important to not only our employees, patients and community, they also help Fairview conserve valuable financial resources.”

Businesses become eligible to be recognized as Environmental Partners by completing an application that details their recycling programs, which are then verified by Hennepin County’s Environment and Energy Department staff during site visits. Businesses that demonstrate that they’ve met the Environmental Partner standards receive recognition decals to post at a visible location at their business and are listed in the Environmental Partners Directory on Hennepin County’s website. In addition to the Environmental Partners program, the county offers grants up to $50,000, free labels and signage, and professional staff assistance to help businesses start or improve recycling programs.

Thank you and congratulations to all of Hennepin County’s 2014 Environmental Partners:
•APA Medical
•The Bakken Museum
•Barbette
•Barrio – Edina
•Bread & Pickle
•Brave New Workshop
•Bryant Lake Bowl
•Butter Bakery Café
•Caffetto Coffee House
•The Cookie Cart
•Common Roots Café  and Catering
•Cozé Flats
•Donaldson Company
•Dunn Brothers – Freight House
•Edina Cinema
•Edina Grill
•Fairview Southdale Hospital
•Gastrotruck
•Gigi’s Café
•Gumball Collective
•IDS Center
•International Dairy Queen
•Joseph Catering
•Kid Zone Child Care Center
•Lions Tap
•Mason’s
•MSP Airport
•Mill City Clinic
•Minnesota Twins
•Open Arms
•Pat’s Tap
•Red Stag Supper Club
•Salut Bar Americain – Edina
•Solhavn
•Solhem
•Soltva
•Tennant Co.
•University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank and East Bank
•Wedge Community Co-op

Learn more about the Environmental Partners Program at www.hennepin.us/environmentalpartners or by calling 612-348-9195.