RECYCLING EVENTS
Cardboard Recycling Event- Saturday, Jan. 4
9AM – 1PM
Public Works Garage, 3801 Chandler Dr.
Recycle Holiday Lights:
Drop your old and broken lights at City Hall through Jan. 31. Recycling Bin is located in atrium next to City Hall entrance.
Neighborhood Fix-It Hub
The St. Anthony Village Neighborhood Fix-It Hub is open every other Tuesday from 4-7pm (last items accepted at 6:30 pm) at the library, 2941 Pentagon Dr. NE. Participants can work with a skilled volunteer to try to fix broken household items, gain confidence, learn repair skills, and incorporate sustainability in everyday life. Bring an item that needs repair or come to watch and learn! All items brought to the Hub must be carry-in sized. This event is family friendly. If volunteers are limited, there may be a limit on the number of items that can be worked on each week.
Volunteers are always needed!
Help keep the Fix-It Hub in our community by assisting with repairs and sewing. To volunteer with the Hub, contact Nancy Lo: nancy.lo@hennepin.us or call 612-348-9195.
PARTNERS IN ENERGY UPDATE
Partners In Energy – Charting A Course for Our Energy Future
Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program provides opportunities for St. Anthony Village residents and businesses to improve energy efficiency.
The City of St. Anthony Village is participating in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program to develop an Energy Action Plan that will chart a course for our community’s energy future. The plan will provide opportunities for residents and businesses in St. Anthony Village to improve energy efficiency, save on energy costs, and decrease carbon emissions. This plan will serve the entire community, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2040.
A group of stakeholders convened throughout the summer and fall for three workshops to make decisions on the vision, focus areas, goals, and strategies for the Energy Action Plan. They brought unique perspectives and shared what was important to them and the St. Anthony Village community around energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification.
The Energy Action Plan will be completed in 2025 and we are excited to get to work implementing the great strategies outlined in the plan. The goal of this plan will make high-impact progress towards decreasing greenhouse gas emissions through implementing clean energy and efficiency projects in the community.
JANUARY SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES:
Holiday Tree Disposal
Aspen Waste will pick up trees at no charge for residents under the City Single Hauler Contract. To have your tree picked up, bring it to your curb Jan. 1 through Jan. 17. Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree bags. Or drop your tree off at a Ramsey County Yard Waste Site. Information & Sites: RamseyRecycles.com/yardwaste
January is National Radon Action Month | Test your Home. Protect your Health.
Did you know? Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas. It is odorless, tasteless and invisible. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the nation’s second leading cause of lung cancer. Winter is the best time to test for radon and the Minnesota Department of Health recommends every home be tested. Testing is easy, inexpensive, and only takes 3-7 days for a short-term test. Depending on which part of St. Anthony Village you reside, programs are available to purchase radon test kits at a reduced price. Residents of Ramsey County can order a test for $2 through Ramsey County Environmental Health. Residents of Hennepin County are eligible to order a test kit for $12.95 through the Minnesota Department of Health.
Order Your Radon Test:
Ramsey County Environmental Health
Minnesota Department of Health
SMART SALTING - Protect our Natural Resources
If an application of salt is necessary to remove accumulated snow and ice, residents are encouraged to apply sparingly. As much salt as would fill a coffee mug is enough to treat 250 square feet of pavement. Shoot for a 3” spread between salt granules to apply the proper amount of de-icing salt. While bare pavement is not always possible with the harsh winter conditions we experience as Minnesotans, diligent and responsible practices for snow and ice removal on sidewalks will help to maintain the goal of walkability for all.
Did you know?
- More than 48 billion pounds of salt is spread on icy roads in the U.S. annually.
- Chloride is toxic to freshwater fish, amphibians, insects, and plants.
- Road Salt is the #1 source of chloride in Minnesota with an estimated 403,600 tons used annually.
- There are 54 impaired bodies of water in Minnesota that exceed the chloride standard designed to protect fish and aquatic life.
- One 50lb. bag of salt can contaminate over 10,000 gallons of water.
COMMUNITY NEWS:
Citizens for Sustainability: Celebrating Climate Action in the Village
We celebrate the Village’s remarkable progress delivering climate actions in this first year since adopting our Climate Plan in December 2023. We recognize the commitment of city staff, city leaders, and community members who are actively working on climate actions:
- Piloting our first electric vehicles in the Public Works fleet
- Hiring a Sustainability Coordinator (former GreenCorp intern Minette Saulog)
- Engaging business and community leaders in a Partners in Energy collaboration to create an Energy Action Plan
- Piloting a harmonics passive filter to reduce energy consumption in our Liquor store
by 25% - Engaging regional leaders in long-term planning for Rapid Bus Transit and Grand Rounds connection
- Participating in MN Cities Climate Coalition
to learn from others’ successes - Securing $194K in state and federal grants that will pay 90% of the cost of 2025 solar installations on our Public Works and water treatment facilities
- Applying for a grant to begin active transportation planning to improve walking and biking in the Village
Thank you for your leadership in turning climate goals into tangible, impactful actions. By addressing climate challenges head-on, you are paving the way for cleaner air, greener spaces, and a vibrant community.
Get Involved:
Join us January 27, 6:30 pm at St. Anthony Library, as we imagine possible climate futures in our discussion of Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s latest book, “What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures.” You can find more details at: citizensforsustainability.org/book-club ¦