23. Notes from the field: Trex lumber from recycled plastic bags

Plastic shopping bags are popular for their durability and ease of use.  But they're bad for the environment and not welcome in most MRFs either.  Locally we dispose of our unwanted plastic bags at Econofoods grocery stores (MN) in collection boxes provided by Trex.  Trex makes beautiful products from them.  The company states that in 2010 they collected over 3.1 million plastic bags for use in their products, making them the #1 plastic bag recycler in the U. S.. Private bag recycling projects are worth supporting.  Plastic bag deposits or use fees are sensible too.  If shoppers were all charged a quarter for each plastic bag used, it wouldn't take too long for cloth bags to become widely used instead.  

22. MN shutdown & environmental services

It's Day 13 of the Minnesota governmental shutdown and not only are some environmental permitting services not being performed, but the Polution Control Authority website is offline too.  One wonders how long the governor and legislature will continue to put Minnesota's  5 million plus residents last on their agenda.
July 20 Update:  Gov. Dayton signed a bill to end the shutdown today and about 22,000 state employees will return to work tomorrow after a 20-day layoff.  

21. Haz-Mat Day in Goodhue, MN

Goodhue County (MN) sponsors several Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) free collection days at various sites around this region.  This is an agricultural county (corn & soy beans) dotted with charming small towns and industrious folks.  We took advantage of this service one gray day last month and drove to the town of Goodhue.   It only took about an hour to load up the car, drop off the old paint, and return home. Easy. 
One major benefit of diverting hazardous wastes from landfills is to keep underground water cleaner for all life.