Earth Day Action Quest

Swap it out!

Make simple swaps for reusable items to reduce your waste. There are many easy swaps you can make to reduce trash (and save money!). Opt for items that can be reused rather than single-use options. Try these swaps today!

Paper Towels: Keep a stack of washable cloth rags to use instead. Cut up old T-shirts or use old towels and washcloths.

Coffee Pods and Filters: Single-serve pods are convenient but wasteful. Instead, try a reusable pod and bulk coffee. If you use a coffee pot, use a reusable filter instead of paper.

Chip Bags and Packaging: Buying in bulk is more cost-effective than individual packages and generates less packaging. Create your own servings with reusable containers.

Plastic Sandwich Bags and Wrap: Consider a silicone bag or container that is reusable and dishwasher safe. Swap your plastic wrap with beeswax wrap. Straws: Use a reusable metal straw instead of disposable plastic straws. Get a carrying case to take it with you on the go!

Bags: Avoid paper and plastic bags by bringing your own bag when you go shopping. Water bottles: Bring your own!

Buy Second Hand

Donating old items is great, but buying second-hand is important as it ensures that those items are used. Next time you need an item, look at your local thrift store, shop at a garage sale, or check online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or your local buy-nothing group.

Ramsey/Washington Earth Day Action Quest Gift Card Giveaway – OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

1.  PROMOTION DESCRIPTION: The Ramsey/Washington Earth Day Action Quest Gift Card Giveaway (\”Sweepstakes\”) begins on April 1 2023 and ends April 30 2023 (the \”Promotion Period\”).

The sponsor of this Sweepstakes is Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (“Sponsor”). By participating in the Sweepstakes, each Entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the Sweepstakes. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes. Sponsor may be reached by email at info@recyclingandenergy.org during the Promotion Period.

2.  ELIGIBILITY: Open to residents of Ramsey County, MN and Washington County, MN who are age 18 or over (the \”Entrant\”). Sponsor, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective officers, directors and employees (the \”Promotion Entities\”), are ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a prize. Household Members and Immediate Family Members of such individuals are also not eligible to enter or win. “Household Members” shall mean those people who share the same residence at least three months a year. “Immediate Family Members” shall mean parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses. This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

3. PRIZES:

Grand Prize: Three (3) winners will receive one (1) $25 Visa Card (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $25)

Only one prize per person and per household will be awarded. Gift cards are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.

This Sweepstakes is open to residents of Ramsey County, MN and Washington County, MN and Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to addresses within said locations. All federal, state and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.

4. HOW TO ENTER: Enter the Sweepstakes during the Promotion Period online by visiting the entry form, which can be found on the following website at earthdayactionquest.com

Automated or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. Internet entry must be made by the Entrant. Any attempt by Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins or any other methods, including, but not limited to, commercial contest/sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering services, will void Entrant’s Entries and that Entrant may be disqualified. Final eligibility for the award of any prize is subject to eligibility verification as set forth below. All Entries must be posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. Sponsor’s database clock will be the official timekeeper for this Sweepstakes.

5. WINNER SELECTION: The Winner(s) of the Sweepstakes will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible Entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The random drawing will be conducted about one (1) week after the Promotion Period by Sponsor or its designated representatives, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible Entries received.

6. WINNER NOTIFICATION: Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided in the Entry Information approximately one (1) week after the random drawing. Potential Winner must accept a prize by email as directed by Sponsor within four (4) weeks of notification. Sponsor is not responsible for any delay or failure to receive notification for any reason, including inactive email account(s), technical difficulties associated therewith, or Winner’s failure to adequately monitor any email account.

Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture. No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor.

7. PRIVACY: Any personal information supplied by you will be subject to the privacy policy of the Sponsor. By entering the Sweepstakes, you grant Sponsor permission to share your email address and any other personally identifiable information with the other Sweepstakes Entities for the purpose of administration and prize fulfillment, including use in a publicly available Winners list.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Sponsor assumes no responsibility or liability for (a) any incorrect or inaccurate entry information, or for any faulty or failed electronic data transmissions; (b) any unauthorized access to, or theft, destruction or alteration of entries at any point in the operation of this Sweepstakes; (c) any technical malfunction, failure, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regard to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, camera, computers or providers utilized in any aspect of the operation of the Sweepstakes; (d) inaccessibility or unavailability of any network or wireless service, the Internet or website or any combination thereof; (e) suspended or discontinued Internet, wireless or landline phone service; or (f) any injury or damage to participant’s or to any other person’s computer or mobile device which may be related to or resulting from any attempt to participate in the Sweepstakes or download of any materials in the Sweepstakes.

If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned for reasons which may include without limitation, infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which may corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes in whole or in part. In such event, Sponsor shall immediately suspend all drawings and prize awards, and Sponsor reserves the right to award any remaining prizes (up to the total ARV as set forth in these Official Rules) in a manner deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor. Sponsor and Released Parties shall not have any further liability to any participant in connection with the Sweepstakes.

9. SPONSOR: Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board, 100 Red Rock Rd, Newport, MN 55055, info@recyclingandenergy.org.

Tour the R&E Center

(formerly called “R&E Center Virtual Tour”) Take a tour of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center. Did you know that all trash generated by residents and businesses in Ramsey and Washington counties is delivered to the Recycling & Energy Center in Newport, where it is processed to recover value? Learn more about where things go when you throw them away by taking a tour of the R&E Center. Click to watch a virtual tour or sign up for an in-person tour.

Furniture Forever

Donate or repair used furniture to give it a new life. Do you have gently used furniture that could go to a new home? Many thrift stores or similar organizations will happily take your household furniture, and many even pick up your furniture for free! If furniture just needs a little love, consider giving it some new life by fixing it up. And finally, if it is beyond repair and time for it to go, check with your local hauler to arrange for a bulky waste pickup!

Shop Low Waste

Reduce waste while grocery shopping. Practice one of the shopping methods below to reduce food and packaging waste next time you go shopping!

Buy produce in bulk. Buying loose produce means you can choose exactly how much you want and are less likely to waste food.
Use reusable produce bags. Skip the flimsy plastic and bring your own reusable bags for your bulk produce!
Shop the bulk bins. Choose exactly how much you want and bring your own container to save on packaging waste.

R&E Center and the Waste Hierarchy

Learn about the waste hierarchy and where your trash goes. Check out this clip about the R&E Center to learn what happens to your trash when you throw it away. What is something that surprised you? What is something you discard that could move up the waste hierarchy?

Express Thanks

Thank a favorite restaurant for its green practices, such as offering reusable dishes or using sustainable ingredients. This appreciation can be given in person or in an online review.

Medicine Drop Box

Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of your unwanted and expired medicines. Bring them to a safe drop box instead of throwing them in the garbage or flushing them down the toilet. You will help prevent crime, drug abuse and accidental poisoning and protect our environment. Find a free collection site near you in Ramsey County or Washington County.

Find it at Your Local Library

Read a book about nature – plants, animals, climate and landscapes! Read a book from home or borrow one for free through your public library. Visit the Ramsey County library or Washington County library websites for library locations.

Take the Lead Out

Exchange your lead fishing tackle for non-lead tackle. Do you love to fish? Fishing tackle made from lead can poison loons, eagles and other wildlife if they ingest it. Exchange your lead tackle for non-lead tackle at a Ramsey County or Washington County Environmental Center. It’s free! Not sure if your tackle is made of lead? Try rubbing the tackle on a piece of paper. If it leaves a streak, then it’s likely lead.

Parks, Parks, Parks!

Explore one of the 24 regional and county parks in your own backyard! Explore one of the 24 regional and county parks in your own backyard! Click to find info on Ramsey County parks and Washington County parks.

Household Hazardous Waste

Dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) at a drop-off location near you. If you walk around your house, you’ll probably find hazardous household materials or products you and your family use every day. Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes household cleaners, paints, paint thinners, batteries, motor oils and pesticides. When not disposed of properly, HHW can pose a threat to human health and the environment. Spend 15 minutes finding HHW in your house and plan how to properly dispose of them at your nearest HHW drop-off location. In Washington County, check out the Washington County Environmental Center and in Ramsey County, check out the year-round collection site. While you’re there, check out the reuse room to see what free products are already available for you to use!

Material Recovery Facility

(formerly titled “Material Recovery Facility”) Learn what happens at a local MRF. What did you just say? MRF stands for “materials recovery facility,” where the items in your recycling bin go to be sorted for recycling. Check out what happens at Shakopee’s Dem-Con MRF, or search for examples of other MRFs in action and prepare to be amazed.

Food Scraps

Start collecting food scraps for recycling at your home. Start collecting food scraps so that they can be recycled. You can compost food scraps in your yard or drop them off at a county collection site. The food scraps are then turned back into nutrient-rich soil! Click the links below to begin.

Be a Battery Hero!

Bring batteries to your county’s collection site. If it lights up, makes noise or moves without a plug, it has a battery. Batteries can cause fires when they end up in the trash or recycling cart. Be a Battery Hero! Bring your used batteries to a Ramsey County collection site or the Washington County Environmental Center. You can also check out the Call2Recycle website to find another location near you. If you visit a county site, bring other hazardous waste like leftover paint, used oil and unwanted pesticides, too.

Sort it Out

Only recycle items your hauler accepts. Recyclables are a commodity. Making sure we recycle only items that are accepted by your hauler reduces contamination and increases the value of these materials. Test your knowledge by playing the Know What to Throw game! Note: Some haulers accept different materials. Check with your hauler for information on what materials can/cannot go in your curbside recycling bin.

Donate

Instead of tossing out broken items, challenge yourself to fix them instead. Donating to and buying from thrift stores is a great way to reduce waste. If you live in or near Washington County, check out this handy donation guide. Donating your time by volunteering at a food shelf or by cleaning up a natural area near you are great ways to support your community and protect your local environment. Find a way to donate this month. The opportunities are endless!

Repair

Instead of tossing out broken items, challenge yourself to fix them instead. You’ve probably heard of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. There’s another important ‘R’ as well – Repair! Have you ever seen something in the trash that could be fixed and be good as new? Instead of tossing out items if they break, challenge yourself to fix them instead! You’ll save money and feel pretty handy! Check out ifixit.com for helpful tutorials on how to fix common items. You can also keep an eye out for Ramsey County Fix-it Clinics as well as Washington County Fix-it Clinics.

Food: Too Good to Waste

Learn how to store your food so that it lasts longer. As a proud agricultural state, Minnesotans know the hard work and resources that go into growing food. That’s why we want to make sure food gets eaten up and doesn’t go to waste! Food waste is a big challenge in our country, with 40% of all food being wasted. When we throw away food, we waste money and all the resources it takes to grow, ship, and keep it fresh. What’s the last food item you threw away because it went bad? Check out the tips from savethefood.org for ideas on how to better store your food, try new recipes, and eat up those leftovers! For inedible food scraps– banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, etc.– consider food scrap collection (see the “Food Scraps” challenge under the “Recycle” category!).

Waste Audit

Keep track of everything you throw in the trash today. Do you know where your waste goes when it leaves your curb? If you live in Washington or Ramsey counties, your trash is brought to the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center (R&E Center) in Newport where trash is processed to recover recyclable metals and make fuel for producing electricity. The R&E Center is maximizing the recovery of resources and diverting as much as possible from landfills, but we can do more! Reducing waste is equally important in creating a sustainable future. Keep track of everything you throw in the trash today. At the end of the day, look at what you throw away most often. Could you make choices that would reduce how much you throw away? Consider taking the “Swap it Out!” challenge to reduce waste!

Product Reuse

Did you know that both counties have spaces where you can get free products such as paints, stains, automotive fluids, and household cleaners? When people bring these items to household hazardous waste sites, products in good condition are made available for free to residents. Come browse the shelves and see what you find! Information on Ramsey County’s Product Reuse Center is available here, and information on Washington County’s Free Product Room is available here.

Start your Earth Day Action Quest today!

Challenges