EVENTS
Summer Recycling Event
Recycle your Cardboard - It's Simple, It's Smart, It's Sustainable!
Saturday, July 19, 9AM - 1PM
Public Works, 3801 Chandler Drive, Saint Anthony Village.
Saint Anthony Village Sustainability at VillageFest Vendor Fair
Saturday, August 2 from 12 - 5PM
Stop by our City booth at the Vendor Fair and explore our Energy Action Plan Initiatives, resources for energy efficiency and home energy audits, and our City's Active Transportation Plan that promotes non-motorized travel like walking, biking, and rolling (strollers, rollerblades, skateboards). Learn how these plans contribute to a more sustainable and connected community.
RECYCLING RESOURCES
Ramsey County Environmental Center Opens Tuesday, April 1
1700 Kent Street, Roseville MN | Open year-round, Tuesday through Friday, 11AM – 6PM, Saturdays, 9AM – 4PM, Closed on Holidays
This facility will make it easier for residents to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. All services offered at the Ramsey County Environmental Center will be available to all Saint Anthony Village residents. Features include: A household hazardous waste drop off; electronics, food scraps and general recycling; free product reuse room
Food Scraps and Organics Recycling
Our food scraps collection site is open 24/7 and is located between the St. Anthony Police Department and tennis courts. As an original pilot participant and early adopter (second of its kind), the Saint Anthony Village site has helped inform Ramsey County's strategy in implementing similar drop-off sites in other cities.
Xcel Energy's Home Energy Squad
Let energy experts help you identify ways to save energy with a personalized home assessment and help with lighting, thermostats, draft spaces and high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators. Income qualified customers may qualify for Free visits.
> Visit homeenergysquadmn.com
CITY SUSTAINABILITY NEWS:
Water Treatment Plant - Solar Project Update
In May, rooftop solar panels were installed at the Water Treatment Plant! This project was made possible in large part by the City’s Solar on Public Buildings grant award from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The grant covers 60% of costs for the project, 30% of costs will be covered by direct pay tax credits from the federal government, and the remaining 10% is covered by City capital funds. The Public Works building’s rooftop solar project is expected to be installed later this year.
Water Treatment Plant Solar - Quick Facts
74 Solar Panels | 40 kW AC Capacity
Total Cost: $106,910 | Solar on Public Buildings Grant: $64,146 | Direct Pay Credits: $32,073 | City’s Net Cost: $10,691 | Expected Year 1 Savings from Solar: $3,938
Overall Life Expectancy of System: 40-50 years
City Recognized for Green Step City Steps 4 and 5
Saint Anthony Village has once again been recognized as a MN GreenStep City – Steps 4 & 5! We've proudly maintained this status since 2016, showing our ongoing commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and a healthier environment. Minnesota's GreenStep Cities Program is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality of life goals.
> Get involved and help us keep moving forward: greenstep.pca.state.mn.us
City Makes Significant Progress in Gold Leaf Challenge
Saint Anthony Village was recently recognized for achieving six high-impact actions in the Minnesota Gold Leaf Challenge which focuses on pathways for communities to take local climate action in four areas: climate mitigation, planning, adaptation and community connectedness for Minnesota's changing climate.
> About the Gold Leaf Challenge: greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/page/gold-leaf-challenge
Saint Anthony Village Energy Action Plan Approved
On April 8th, City Council approved the final version of the City’s Energy Action Plan. This document was developed during the City’s ongoing participation in Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program. The Energy Action Plan builds on the Climate Plan to highlight concrete actions in the energy sector to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan will guide the community in opportunities to save energy and money, increase renewable energy support, and provide resources for electrifying homes and buildings over the course of the next 18 months.
> Visit the Energy Action Plan’s webpage to read the plan and executive summary.
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Grants Available to Start or Improve Recycling at Businesses, Nonprofits
If you have a small business or or nonprofit in in Saint Anthony Village, check out the business recycling grants through Ramsey (BizRecycling) and Hennepin Counties. Both programs offer FREE bins and other supplies such as labels and bags to eligible applicants. This is a great way to kick-start or enhance public-facing recycling options as more customers seek out the availability of recycling while out and about.
Ramsey County: Biz Recycling Bin-Only Grant
Hennepin County: Grants for Bins& Compostable Bags
Skip the Chemicals: Go Organic First
A powerful environmental movement is growing in our community and it’s beautifully simple: stop using toxic lawn and garden chemicals. An Organic First approach encourages residents to ditch synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides; protecting our water, pollinators, pets and children. Lawn chemicals create harmful runoff, contribute to algae blooms such as in Silver Lake and harm the local ecosystem. And you can have healthy, beautiful yards without them.
> Learn more about Organics First: silverlakemn.org/water-quality
Eco-friendly Lawn and Garden Tips:
- Water deeply (1 inch) once a week.
- Overseed with grass blends and microclover, which need less water and naturally fertilize soil.
- Aerate to improve drainage and nutrient absorption.
- Fertilize only in fall — choose organic fertilizer, used sparingly.
- Use corn gluten meal for pre-emergent weeds.
- Use chelated liquid iron to kill broadleaf weeds, while still safe for grass. For Creeping Charlie, rake to stress it and then spray. Repeat every 2–3 weeks.
- Mix 1 gallon vinegar with 1 tbsp unscented dish soap for garden bed weeds.
- Create native plant buffer zones along shorelines and storm drains.