BizRecycling grants save money for local businesses while helping them save the planet

Recycling from our homes is nothing new to dutiful Minnesotans. For years, responsible residents across the state have become accustomed to giving new life to glass, aluminum, paper and other recyclables by keeping them out of landfills.

Businesses are increasingly taking steps to recycle some of the products created in their work and keep them out of the waste stream as well.

In Washington and Ramsey Counties, local businesses can get customized help from BizRecyling, a free program jointly administered by the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) Board.

The two metro-area counties work together to manage waste responsibly. The program assist nonprofits, schools, apartment buildings and institutions as well as businesses.

“BizRecylcing has had a major impact. It has reached more than 3000 local businesses with these customized improvement plans and grant funding,” said Washington Co Commissioner Karla Bigham, a Ramsey/Washington R&E Board member. “Participating businesses are diverting roughly 28 million pounds of material from trash each year.”

There are different kinds of grants that are available to suit the needs of different kinds of businesses and help them make improvements in their waste reduction.

“In New Brighton, CAP Carpet & Flooring used us. We helped them recycle 600 pounds of plastic film,” said Ramsey Co Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, the R&E Board chair. “Anything you have in your business, we can work with you on that.”

BizRecyling can assist businesses that want to rethink how they operate with special Waste Reduction + Innovation Grants of up to $50,000. These grants are available to defray expenses like switching to alternative chemicals, adding new technology or redesigning a production process.

Food donors, nonprofits, and college food shelves can review Food Waste Prevention + Recovery Grants of up to $20,000 to helps recover surplus edible food and get it to people who need it. Meanwhile, the Bin-Only Grant is for small businesses, covering up to $2,500 in trash, recycling and organics bins and equipment to help these businesses get started without a big upfront commitment.

“3rd Act Craft Brewery in Woodbury received a grant for their bins for their garbage recycling but also bins for the barley and the hops coming from the brewery. We can divert waste,” Bingham added.

In addition to helping the environment, less trash means cost savings. Sorting waste and organics properly consistently cuts down on hauling and disposal costs that businesses pay.

“We come into your business, look at what you’ve got, figure out a plan and then we have grants to help you get there. It’s low cost, it will save you money, reduce your waste and help our environment,” said McGuire. “That’s a big deal for future generations.”

Being proactive by addressing recycling can also buy businesses some good will with the public.

“You are going to turn the heads of your customers,” noted Bigham. “That younger generation especially really wants to patronize businesses that have sustainable practices.”

Every business that reaches out and BizRecycling can get a free site visit and a custom plan from a recycling expert. The advice is free. To find out more, go to

www.BizRecycling.com or call 651-768-6670 to set up a site visit.