F Fix a time, schedule and commit

A Anything not used for a year you can plan to get rid of

S Someone else’s stuff should be given back to the owner

T Trash = Reuse and recycle whenever possible

Source: It’s All Too Much. Peter Walsh (2007)

reduce your clutter f.a.s.t.

EnvironmentalGuide

This guide is partially funded by Dakota County, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Lakeville

Environmental Guide for Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Lakeville

2018

Think Before you BuyThe best way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Before buying something new, ask yourself if you really need it. If you do, try to borrow, rent or buy used whenever possible.

Reusables to the RescueOpt for reusables over disposables to limit unnecessary waste. Remember to carry a reusable grocery bag when shopping, pack lunches in reusable containers, and always keep a refill-able water bottle.

Fix it Before you Forget ItGet the most out of items by repairing before replacing. Dakota County offers free monthly fix-it clinics which allow residents to get their items mended and repaired by expert volunteers.

Donations DesiredIf and when it comes time to get rid of an item, always look to donate or recycle before disposing in a landfill. Keep an eye out for collection events hosted by your city or county.

Decluttering is not easy. It may have taken years to accumulate all of the treasures in your home, and each has its own memory or story attached. But these items take time, energy and money to take care of. By donating and recycling, you can feel better knowing that your items will continue to serve a purpose beyond your home.

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diveDECLUTTERING

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Event Calendar

4/28 · Paper Shredding Event: 9am- 1pm Eagan Community Center · FREE

4/28 · HHW* Drop-Off Day: 9am – 1pm Hastings Public Works Facility · Fees Vary

5/5 · HHW* Drop-Off Day: 9am - 1pm Lakeville Central Maint. Facility · Fees Vary

6/2 · I Love Burnsville Drop-Off Day: 9am- 2pm Burnsville Maintenance Facility · Fees Vary

7/21 · Fix-It Clinic: 12pm – 3pm Burnhaven Library, Burnsville · FREE

8/18 · Fix-It Clinic: 12pm – 3pm Robert Trail Library, Rosemount · FREE

9/8 · HHW* Drop-Off Day: 9am- 1pmCity of Farmington Maint. Facility · Fees Vary

9/16 · Fix-It Clinic: 2pm – 5pm Wescott Library, Eagan · FREE

9/29 · HHW* Drop-Off Day: 9am- 2pmBurnsville Maintenance Facility · Fees Vary

10/6 - Mattress Collection: 9am- 1pmCascade Bay, Eagan · Fees apply

11/3 · Pumpkin Composting Event: 9am- 1pm Eagan Community Center · FREE

11/3-11/4 · Pumpkin Composting Event: All day Lakeville Police Department · FREE

11/12 - 11/18 · Shoe Recycling Event:Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Lakeville ice arenas during open hours. · FREE

11/15 - 1/31 · Holiday Light Recycling:During open business hours. Locations vary. · FREE

For more details about events, visit www.dakotavalleyrecycling.org

* Household Hazardous Waste (all HHW events include free paper shredding)

Tips to Reduce and Reuse

• Time and energy: Clutter makes it easier to lose track of important possessions such as wallets and keys.

• Relationships: Clutter can be a strain on relationships by taking away from family space and time.

• Health: Clutter can be a hazard in your home by creating opportunities for accidents.

• Expenses: As clutter accumulates, individual items become less valuable. Not to mention, a collection of impulse purchases really adds up.

The Cost of Clutter

Since 1970, household size has increased 50% yet self-storage usage has still increased 75%

+

11,000,000tons of textiles in the U.S. go to the landfill each year

Did you Know?

651-905-4520 3365 Dodd Road · Eagan, MN

www.dakotacounty.us Search: Recycling Zone

Hours:Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.Thursday: Noon – 8 p.m.Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To schedule a free Educational Experience call 952-891-7557

This guide was printed on Recycled Paper.

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Household Chemicals & Hazardous Waste AreaItems like paint, cleaners, chemicals, batteries, gasoline, automotive fluids and fluorescent bulbs are accepted for free from households ONLY.

RecyclingBring in items such as glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles/jugs/tubs, metal cans, paper, cardboard, scrap metal and cooking oil to be recycled for free.

Home SharpsBring home sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) in a rigid, sealed container with the label “Do not recycle: household sharps.” Accepted for free from residents only.

Electronics RecyclingItems such as computers, computer accessories, laptops, VCRs, DVD players and game systems are accepted for free from households ONLY. Small household electronics such as toasters, blenders, coffee makers, hair dryers and vacuum cleaners are also accepted. Remove batteries and glass parts.

TVs and computer monitor fee: $10/each

Not accepted: major appliances, microwaves, exercise equipment, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, water heaters, medical waste.

Reuse AreaProducts brought in for disposal—such as paint, cleaners, fertilizers and solvents—are available for free to visitors if they are still useable.

Check out these other services:

· Eyeglasses Recycling

· Lead Sinker Exchange

· Mercury Thermometer Exchange

For a full list of items that can be disposed of at The Recycling Zone, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search “materials accepted.”

Services Offered at The Recycling ZoneThe Dakota County Recycling Zone is your place to get rid of the household items you can’t throw in the trash. A valid driver’s license is required to bring items to The Recycling Zone.

GLASS• Glass beverage bottles and food jars

RECYCLING AT HOME These guidelines apply to residents in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Lakeville

Maybe: Depends on your HaulerSome recycling haulers are collecting more materials. For an up-to-date list of what items are accepted in your curbside bin, visit DakotaValleyRecycling.org/curbside. Click on your hauler’s logo to see if you can recycle:

Paper: Pizza boxes (NO food residue or grease) • Boxes from frozen food

Metal: Aluminum foil • Aluminum trays or pie tins • Empty aerosol cans • Scrap metal items

Never: Plastic bags, garden hoses and Styrofoam®

PAPER• Office and school paper • Mail and envelopes

• Newspapers, inserts, magazines and catalogs

• Phone books

• Boxes from cereal, crackers, pasta and other dry foods

• Boxes from toothpaste, medications and other toiletries • Cardboard from empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls

• Boxes from refrigerated food and beverage, including beer and pop cases

• Cardboard boxes (flattened)

PLASTICLeave caps & lids on

• ALL plastic bottles

• ALL gallon and ½ gallon milk, juice and water jugs • Margarine, cream cheese and other tubs

• Yogurt, pudding and fruit cups

• Clear produce and deli containers

METAL• Aluminum beverage cans

• Steel soup and food cans

CARTONS• Milk and juice cartons

• Juice boxes

• Soup, broth and wine cartons