ANOKA, Minn. – (Aug. 24, 2017) – Anoka County has a business assistance and grant program to help businesses increase their recycling totals.
The business assistance program, available to any business in Anoka County, consists of a contract with the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation – an arm of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – to provide on-site technical help and written recommendations. The business assistance program also provides free signs on and around recycling and trash bins, and up to $10,000 in grant funding to purchase recycling and organics collection bins, supplies, or equipment.
One example of a business that has received assistance is Neighbor Stop, a convenience store with three locations in Anoka County. The stores have reduced their garbage collection by more than 30,000 pounds by recycling more types of materials. Other area businesses, such as Key Air, Coborn’s in Ramsey, and Culver’s Restaurant in Anoka, have realized cost savings from the technical assistance offered by modifying practices and increasing recycling.
Recycling more creates a business tax advantage; recyclables are not subject to the 17 percent state tax that a dumpster of garbage is. By recycling more, businesses may be able to reduce the container size or frequency of trash collection, saving on state solid waste taxes.
