Becker Boy Scouts Paper/Cardboard Recycling Event

February 6th , March 6th , & April 3rd

• 9am – 11am, Jubilee Foods Parking

Lot, Becker

Princeton Girl Scouts Paper/

Cardboard Recycling EventsFebruary 13th & 14th ,

March 13th & 14th, & April 10th and 11th

Recycling Bins, Pamida Parking Lot, Princeton.Bins available all week-

end. The Girl Scouts will be on-site from 10am –

1pm on Saturday’s

4th Annual Energy ExpoFebruary 27th •

11am – 3pmElk River Area High

School

Well Nitrate Testing Clinic

March 25th • 11am – 6:30pm

Sherburne County Public Safety Building in

Zimmerman

6th Annual Garden Expo and Kids Garden Expo April 10th • 8am – 3pm

Big Lake High School

Emerald Ash Borer Workshop

April 20th • 6:30pm – 8pm (pre-registration required)

Commissioners Room, Sherburne County Govt

Center

City/Township Clean Up Events

Spring 2010 Check with your City or

Township

Household Hazardous Waste Collection EventsSpring/Summer 2010 • (Please see front page for

more information)

Vol. 18, No. 1 A Sherburne County Publication • 13880 Business Center Drive, Elk River, MN 55330 Winter 2010

Special Thanks to these ContributorsSherburne County SWCD, City of Elk River,

Eastside Oil, Lorex, Inc. and Star News, Elk River.

For additional information about this publication please contact the Sherburne

County Zoning and Solid Waste offi ce at 763-241-2900 or 1-800-438-0578

Page 4 – Environmental Educator – Winter 2010 PrsrtStd U.S. Postage PAIDPermit #11 Elk River, MN 55330

ECRWSSRESIDENT

4th Annual Energy Expo .......................... 1Hazardous Waste Collections ................... 1Recycling Hearing aids ............................ 2

Cardboard & Paper Recycling.................. 2Used Oil Collection ................................. 2Recycle Laptops ....................................... 2

Garden & Kids expo ............................... 3Well Testing ............................................ 3Emerald Ash Borer Workshop .................. 3

Recyling Directory ................................... 4Calendar of Events .................................. 4

Leftover household products that contain certain corrosive, toxic, or reactive ingredients are considered to be “Household Hazardous Waste” or “HHW”. Products, such as paints, clean-ers, oils, batteries, and pesticides, which contain potentially hazard-ous ingredients, require special care when you dispose of them.

Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal meth-

ods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, con-taminate septic tanks or wastewa-ter treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and pres-ent hazards to children and pets if left unattended around the house.

Bring your unwanted or unused HHW to a Sherburne County Household Hazardous Waste

Collection Event. There will be six (6) separate HHW Collection Events this year in Sherburne County which are FREE for all County Residents.

Please note: location address-es and driving directions will be posted in the Spring Edition of the Environmental Educator. If you have any questions regarding this years HHW Collection Events, please contact John Exner with the Sherburne County Zoning Department at

763-241-2947 or john.exner@co.sherburne.mn.us

The 4th annual Energy Expo will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 11am – 3pm at the Elk River High School located at 900 School Street, Elk River, MN.

Exhibitors will be presenting sus-tainable living and energy conserva-tion practices and will be available to answer any of your questions. School District 728’s Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) will be on hand to provide children’s activities and Tricia and the Toonies will be performing several children’s plays with themes focusing on reducing,

reusing, recycling, pollution preven-tion, natural resource conservation and more! The Home Depot will have demonstrations on programma-ble thermostats and students from Spectrum High School will demon-strate their wind turbine projects.

And you won’t want to miss world renowned polar explorer, Will Steger, who has been confi rmed as the key-note speaker for the Energy Expo. Mr. Steger will present “Eyewitness to Global Warming” in Zabee Theater. It is Mr. Steger’s vivid account of the changes that he’s witnessed fi rsthand

caused by global warming pollut-ants in Arctic regions. He will share stunning photographs from his four decades of polar expeditions, along with compelling data and satellite imagery, to document the deteriora-tion in the polar ice caps. While the issue is critical, and the presentation is dramatic, Mr. Steger’s message is one of hope and empowerment. An understanding of our role in the causes and effects of global warm-ing make this personal. But as Mr. Steger explains, solutions are readily available and by making economi-cally and environmentally smart

choices people can make a difference.

The 4th Annual Energy Expo is a FREE event and includes activities the whole family will enjoy! Food and beverages will also be available on-site.

For more information on the 4th Annual Energy Expo, please contact the City of Elk River at 763-635-1000 or visit their website at: www.elkriverenergycity.org

DATE TIME LocationMay 3rd 3pm – 6pm Santiago

May 12th 3pm – 6pm Becker

May 24th 3pm – 6pm Zimmerman

June 28th 3pm – 6pm Clear Lake

August 30th & 31st 3pm – 6pm (both days) Elk River

September 1st 3pm – 6pm Orrock

Household Hazardous Waste Collection 2 0 1 0 E V E N T S S C H E D U L E

Polar Explorer Will Steger, Keynote Speaker

In 2006, we recycled enough metal, glass and plastics to conserve 46 trillion BtU’s of energy- that’s enough energy to power all the homes in Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Minneapolis and St. Paul, combined, for one year! - www.recycleminnesota.org

Sherburne County Area

RECYCLING DIRECTORY

B & E Recycling Station

16501 Hwy 10, Elk River • 763-441-7211M-F 8:30-5, Sat 8:30-1Appliances, Electronics,

Aluminum, Metals, Batteries, Fluorescent Bulbs, Cardboard

Central Appliance Recyclers

3107 Hwy 10 SESt. Cloud • 320-252-3221

M-F 9-5, Sat 9-noonAppliances, Electronics,

Fluorescent Bulbs, Ballasts, Mercury Devices, Fixtures

Elk River Compost Site

19000 Proctor AveElk River • 763-635-1000

dawn to dusk dailyGrass Clippings,

Leaves, Brush

Home Depot

18011 Zane St NWElk River • 763-274-0543M-S 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-7pm

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL’s)

Menards

19521 Evans St NWElk River • 763-241-2009

M-S 6:30am-10pm, Sun 8-8Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

(CFL’s)

Python’s Recycling Center

550 4 1/2 St NESt. Cloud • 320-253-2054M-F 8:30-5, Sat 8:30-2

Aluminum, Metals, Glass, Plastic, Cardboard, Paper

Vonco II Landfi ll & Recycling

Facility

15301 140th Ave SEBecker • 763-262-8662

M-F 7-5 Tree Stumps, Grubbing & Root

Balls, Demolition Debris

Becker True Value Hardware

13350 1st StBecker • 763-261-4464

M-F 8-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 10-3Fluorescent Bulbs, Ballasts,

HID Bulbs, Household Batteries

Clear Lake Oil Recycling Lot

East of Fire HallClear Lake • 320-252-9711

(Contact East Side Oil)24/7

Used Oil, Oil Filters, Antifreeze

Elk River Oil Recycling

19000 Proctor AveElk River • 763-635-1000

M-F 8-4:30Used Oil and Oil Filters

Home Depot

401 2nd St SWaite Park • 320-252-3262

M-S 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-7pmCompact Fluorescent Bulbs

(CFL’s)

Metro Appliance Recycling

16403 60th St NEOtsego • 763-241-8787

M-F 9-5, Sat. by appointmentAppliances, Electronics,

Fluorescent Bulbs, Ballasts

Schmiege’s Salvage

25140 Hwy 169Zimmerman • 763-856-2037

M-F 9-5, Sat 8-noonAutomotive Parts, Tires, Car

Batteries, Metals, Used Oil, Machinery

Zimmerman Hardware Hank Store

12860 Fremont AvenueZimmerman • 763-856-2661

24/7Used Oil

and Oil Filters

Becker Compost Site

Call for DirectionsBecker • 763-261-4449

24/7Grass Clippings, Leaves, Brush

Chad’s Auto Repair

13050 1st StBecker • 320-252-9711(Contact East Side Oil)

24/7Used Oil, Oil Filters,

Antifreeze

Elk River Landfi ll

22460 Hwy 169Elk River • 763-441-2464

M-F 7-5, Sat 7-noonAppliances, Electronics,

Batteries, Tires, Yard Waste

Home Depot

1385 7th St EMonticello • 763-295-9500M-S 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-7pm

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL’s)

Menards

251 10th Ave SWaite Park • 320-240-0075M-S 6:30am-10pm, Sun 8-8Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

(CFL’s)

Santiago Twp Oil Recycling

Behind TownhallSantiago • 320-252-9711

Contact East Side Oil 24/7

Used Oil, Oil Filters, Antifreeze

Zimmerman Compost Site

25449 2nd St EZimmerman • 763-856-4666

24/7Grass Clippings,

Leaves, Brush

Big Lake Compost Site

Call for DirectionsBig Lake • 763-263-2268

9am-9pm dailyGrass Clippings,

Leaves, Brush

East Side Oil Company

621 Lincoln Ave SESt. Cloud • 320-252-9711

24/7Used Oil, Oil Filters,

Antifreeze

Garbage Haulers

Sherburne County haulers are required to provide recycling

service to all residential, commercial, & industrial

customers.Aluminum & Steel Cans,

Paper, Cardboard, Glass Bottles, Plastics

Jerry’s Auto Salvage

20798 Hwy 10Big Lake • 763-263-2600

M-F 8-5, Sat 8-noonAutomotive Parts, Tires, Car Batteries, Metals,

Used Oil

Product Recovery, Inc.

11680 Hwy 10Becker • 763-261-2458MWF 8-4, Sat 9-noonUtility Poles and Trees

Tri County Household Hazardous

Waste Facility

601 20th Ave NSt. Cloud • 800-450-6140Hours Vary, Please Call

Paints, Solvents, Cleaners, Gas, Mercury; Garden, Yard, &

Pool Chemicals

This newsletter is printed on re cy cled paper.

Please recycle it again.

Page 2 – Environmental Educator – Winter 2010 Winter 2010 – Environmental Educator – Page 3

Do you have fi ve gallon buckets full of used motor oil sitting in your garage? Are you looking to dispose of your used motor oil? If so, you are in luck! There are now six used motor oil collection sites located throughout Sherburne County.

Bring your unwanted motor oil, anti-freeze, and used oil fi lters to one of the six collection sites convenient-ly located throughout the County (Please note the hours of operation for each site).• Chads Auto Repair located at

13050 1st Street in Becker. You may dispose of your used oil, fi lters, and antifreeze 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• City of Clear Lake, paved lot located just east of the Fire Hall. You may dispose of your used oil, fi lters and antifreeze 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• East Side Oil Company locat-ed at 621 Lincoln Avenue SE in St. Cloud. You may dis-pose of your used oil, fi lters and antifreeze 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Santiago Township locat-ed behind Santiago’s new Township Hall. You may dis-pose of your used oil, fi lters and antifreeze 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• City of Elk River Public Works Facility located at 19000 Proctor Road. You may dispose of your used oil, fi l-ters, and antifreeze 7 days a week from dawn until dusk.

• City of Zimmerman Hardware Hank parking lot. You may dispose of your used oil, fi lters and antifreeze 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Used Oil Collection Sites Located Throughout

Sherburne County

This time of year most garden-ers are eager to start planning for the coming garden season. A sure way to think spring is to attend the 6th Annual Garden Expo hosted by the Sherburne County Master Gardeners! This event is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Big Lake High School (NOTE: new location) located at: 501 Minnesota Avenue in Big Lake from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Adults can learn from Master Gardeners and local garden experts on a variety of yard and garden topics including: Serenity Gardens, Garden Tools, Native Plants, Peonies, Food Preservation, Vegetable Gardening, Water Gardens, Rain Barrels, and

more. Garden exhibitors and edu-cational exhibits are also scheduled. Cost is $25 per person which includes lunch.

“Kids Garden Expo” is back! Children, grades K-5, can experi-ence their own classroom while adults attend the Garden Expo. The kids track includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and all materials for several garden projects they can take home for $15 per child.

For a registration brochure or for more information call the Sherburne County Extension Offi ce at 763-241-2720 or visit us on-line at: www.extension.umn.edu/county/sherburne

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an insect that destroys ash trees - and it has arrived! EAB only kills ash trees, but in great numbers, and is expected to have a huge effect on Minnesota’s 937 million ash trees. Early detection and isolation are vital to slowing its spread.

Find out why EAB is a problem for our trees, which trees are at risk, who to contact if they sus-pect their tree is infested, develop a strategy for dealing with the infestation, know who is respon-sible for removing trees infested with EAB, and how to protect your trees.

Presented by a volunteer Minnesota Tree Care Advisor, Polly Augustson, who is also a Master Gardener, Certifi ed Tree Inspector and EAB First Detector. She has successfully

completed training through the University of Minnesota. 

Cost to attend is $5.00 and pre-registration is requested. Register to attend through the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS) by calling 651-643-3601.

For more information about EAB call MSHS above, or Tana Haugen-Brown, Extension Educator, in the U of MN Extension-Sherburne County Offi ce at 763-241-2720.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the U of MN Extension-Sherburne County and the MN State Horticultural Society.

i i

Emerald Ash Borer WorkshopWhat You Need to Know

Date: Tuesday, April 20Time: 6:30pm to 8:00 pmLocation: Commissioners Room, Sherburne County Govt Center 13880 Business Center Drive, Elk River, MN 55330

When: Thursday March 25, 2010, 11:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M.

Where: Sherburne County Public Safety Building 6750 5th St. W., Zimmerman, MN 55398-9414

Nitrate contamination is a common drinking water problem found in some Sherburne County wells. It is primarily a health hazard for infants because nitrate levels above 10 parts per million can cause blue baby syndrome. A health hazard connection for older children or adults has not been demonstrated.

In order to participate in the testing, homeowners must bring at least one-half cup of water in any type of plastic bag. Ziplock© bags are frequently used. In order to get a good sample, allow the water to run 5 to 10 minutes before fi lling the bag. Homeowners with water treatment equipment should take two water samples – one before and one after the treatment process. Homeowners with just a water softener should only take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener.

Samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the test-ing, and they must be refrigerated. Samples should be cool when arriving at the clinic.

To ensure accuracy, homeowners should mark the bags with their name, phone number and a well identifi cation number if more than one well is sampled.

Also, information on the age and depth of the well, if known, can be helpful for interpreting results.

Samples are analyzed on the spot – the process usually takes less than fi ve minutes- and results are given directly to the homeown-ers. If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certifi ed labs that will retest the water.

Sponsored by the Sherburne county Rural Living Task Force

For more information call Sherburne Soil & Water Conservation District (763) 241-1170 ext. 3

Free Well Nitrate Testing Clinic

For Homeowners with Private Wells

Reducing Unwanted Junk Mail

Princeton Girl Scouts Troop 578 and Becker Boy Scouts Troop 92 are again recycling paper and cardboard for Sherburne County residents and businesses in 2010. The Scouts accept fl attened cereal boxes, cor-rugated cardboard, newspaper, copy paper, and magazines. Drop off your donations or paper material in the labeled recycling bins.No plastic bags or phone books please.

The Princeton Girls Scouts will have bins available on the second Saturday & Sunday of each month at the Pamida Store located in Princeton. Assistance will be avail-able on Saturdays from 10am-1pm.

The Becker Boy Scouts will be avail-able the fi rst Saturday of each month to assist residents and businesses wishing to recycle their paper prod-ucts at Jubilee Foods in Becker. Free pick-up service is available in the Becker area for those who are interested. Please contact Shawn Johnson of the Becker Boy Scouts at 763-262-5566 for more information on pick-up service.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “Hear Now” program collects unwant-ed or unused hearing aids for recy-cling purposes. Any make or model, regardless of age, can be donated to the ‘Hear Now” recycling program. All donations are tax deductible and a letter of acknowledgement will be

sent to all identifi ed donors.

If you wish to donate a salvaged hearing aid or other hearing assis-tance device, please place the dona-tion in a padded envelope or box and mail to: Hear Now, 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN

55344.

For more information contact the Starkey Hearing Foundation at 1-800-328-8602 or visit their website at www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org

The City of Elk River’s Environmental Department would like to announce that all members of the public will now be able to recycle laptop computers free of charge! Any brand name of laptop may be recycled. A short form will need to be fi lled out for reporting purposes (i.e. name, address, number of laptops being recycled). Simply bring the laptop and electrical cords to the City of Elk River, located at 13065 Orono Parkway, Elk River, MN Monday – Friday from 8am – 4:30pm (excluding holi-days). For more information, please contact the City of Elk River Environmental Department at 763-635-1000.

Free Laptop Recycling Through Elk River City Hall

aremothr

Brifreethely (Plefor •

•

•

•

•

•

78 rerd tsts r-

pyurhe

ks

ill nd th inil-

il-th esd-er.inre

wn at on

Recycle Your Unwanted Hearing Aids

Cardboard & Paper Recycling Events

Resolving to be a little greener in the New Year? The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency suggests curbing junk mail as an easy fi rst step. Websites like www.dmachoice.org and www.

catalogchoice.org allows consumers to opt out of mailing lists for catalogs, credit card offers, and other unsolic-ited mail. According to the United States Environmental Protection

Agency, Americans throw away some 5.8 million tons of unwanted mail in a typical year.

Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency