Environment Programs

• Workshops and green remodeling home visits to assist residents in understanding and meeting green standards (Workshops coming in late spring).
• Home performance analysis will assist residents in determining what measures will best meet their needs and budget.
• Financial incentives include discount loans and rebates for energy efficient furnaces and water heaters.
• Technical assistance for residents throughout the process, modeled upon successful components of the city’s existing home improvement programs

For additional information visit www.mngreenstar.org  or call, 952-294-2196.

Green Business Program & Awards
Our businesses have an impact on the environment just as you do. The St. Louis Park Green Business Program promotes and recognizes local businesses that make environmentally friendly choices in managing their resources, such as recycling waste, reducing packaging, or reuse of materials.

2008 award applications are currently being accepted. The deadline to apply has been extended through October 2008. All businesses, schools, non-profits, of any size are eligible to apply. Winning applicants will be notified in the fall and announced at a December City Council meeting, and announced on community television and in local newspapers. 

Click here for an application. Complete and send the application to the city.

 2007 Award Winners:

General Office Products - an office furniture refurbish and retail company 

• Purchases used furniture, refurbish and sell $3,000,000 annually. Their new furniture is recyclable and/or made from recyclable materials. Reduces paper use by 60,000 sheets per year using electronic computer files.

Rainbow Treecare - provides services to promote the health and preservation of urban trees

• Pioneered injection of trees to avoid contaminating air and creating environmental drift.
• Promotes healthy urban forests, which helps increase energy efficiency and savings and provides a wide range of environmental benefits.

 
Stahl Construction - general contracting, design and building services for institutional and commercial buildings 

• Attempts to assign field superintendents close to homes to reduce drive time to sites. Uses subcontractors that recycle and remanufacture materials. Wood, concrete, cardboard, plastics and metals are recycled or reused.

Click here to see previous award winners.

Hazardous Household Waste
Don't put batteries, liquid paint, paint thinner, wood preservatives, aerosols, tires, car batteries, used motor oil, household cleaners, anti-freeze, poisons, acids, medical waste, solvents, or flammable or explosive materials in your trash. These can't be included with regular garbage because they pollute groundwater and endanger health. For all hazardous household waste, call Hennepin County at: (612) 348-3777 or click here for more information.

Batteries

• Household batteries can be brought to -
  • St. Louis Park City Hall
  • St. Louis Park Library
  • Hennepin County Drop Off Facilities
• Car batteries can be brought to -
  • Retail stores that sell car batteries
  • Full service gas stations that sell batteries.
  • Hennepin County Drop Off Facilities

Electronics -

• Effective July 1, 2006 electronic products containing a cathode ray tube (CRT), such as TVs and computer monitors, may not be placed in the garbage.

  Electronics may contain lead, cadmium or mercury, which are harmful to human health and the environment. Hennepin County residents must take televisions, computers, cell phones, fax machines, personal digital assistants, TVs, VCRs and copiers to one of the Hennepin County Drop Off Facilities.

Motor oil can be brought to -

• Service stations. (Up to five gallons of used motor oil may be poured into a plastic container; put the cap on, and bring it to the cash register. You may wish to call ahead to verify that the station will accept motor oil.)

Paint -

• Dry paint can be disposed of with your household refuse. Open the can and let it dry out in a well ventilated area.

U. S. Green Building Council - Mississippi Headwaters
An organization created to positively transform the building processes, building industry and communities of our region, with a vision to achieve a sustainable built environment, including green buildings and healthy communities in the upper Midwest.

For more information, click here.