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Sep 2012 – Aug 2013Sponsored by a Grant from Community POWER
Reduce the amount of trash that Mt Olivet generates
Recycle more of our waste (including organics recycling)
Evaluate our use of toxic chemicals (reduce and dispose of properly)
Advance awareness, knowledge, and application of these issues among our members.
Visited Burroughs Elementary School to see trash sorting in the lunchroom
Met with the Creation Care team at St Joan of Arc in South Minneapolis
Had our trash weighed in April 2012 to establish a baseline measurement◦ 25.2% of our trash was recycled◦ 74.8% went to the landfill/burner
The Mount Olivet Creation Care team promotes caring for God’s creation and serves as a resource in the areas of:◦ worship life◦ education◦ buildings & grounds◦ at home & work◦ outreach and affiliate ministriesSo that earth keeping becomes integral to the
identity of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Vision statement:◦ Leading in creation care throughout our church
and community.
Meets monthly (ongoing after project ends) Develops and supports action plans for
educational activities and changes at the church
Reviews progress
Purchased and installed new recycling and organics recycling bins
Trained volunteers (starting with 20 stewardship dinners) to recycle and compost table trash.
Educated church staff (including custodians) about the grant and our renewed commitment to recycling.
Acted on ideas to reduce our trash
In order to become better stewards of God’s creation, Mount Olivet has expanded our recycling program to include organic waste!
Today’s event will have only a small amount of trash going to the landfill while other waste products from this event will be either recycled or commercially composted.
The creation care team thanks you!
Presented Sunday School program to “Caring for God’s Creation” – 674 kids
Ben Knudsen, Hennepin County – spoke about the county’s 5 year plan and answered recycling questions
Kim Labo (Healthy Action Coalition) - evaluate our use of toxic products. ◦ We will use up old chemicals that we already have◦ Use guidelines to use for future purchases.
* Initial baseline before project started
DateTotal Trash (lbs)
%Recycled
% Organic
% Trash
% of total Trash Diverted
Lbs of Trash Diverted
April 2012*
9,520 25.2% 0 74.8%
25.2%
2,400
* Initial baseline before project started
DateTotal Trash (lbs)
%Recycled
% Organic
% Trash
% of total Trash Diverted
Lbs of Trash Diverted
April 2012*
9,520 25.2% 0 74.8%
25.2%
2,400
Oct 2012 6,280 32.8% 30.3%
36.9%
63.1% 3,960
* Initial baseline before project started
DateTotal Trash (lbs)
%Recycled
% Organic
% Trash
% of total Trash Diverted
Lbs of Trash Diverted
April 2012*
9,520 25.2% 0 74.8%
25.2%
2,400
Oct 2012 6,280 32.8% 30.3%
36.9%
63.1% 3,960
April 2013
7,440 31.5% 37.6%
30.9%
69.1% 5,140
* Initial baseline before project started
DateTotal Trash (lbs)
%Recycled
% Organic
% Trash
% of total Trash Diverted
Lbs of Trash Diverted
April 2012*
9,520 25.2% 0 74.8%
25.2%
2,400
Oct 2012 6,280 32.8% 30.3%
36.9%
63.1% 3,960
April 2013
7,440 31.5% 37.6%
30.9%
69.1% 5,140
July 2013 7,660 33.7% 39.2%
27.2%
72.8% 5,580
Understand the importance of reducing the trash that is sent to the landfills
Increase efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle at home.
Activities: Trained church staff – 23% changed
behavior Published “creation care” articles in bi-
weekly newsletter Trained volunteers at events
Launched a 6-week adult education program using the video series “Earthbound”
Tied scripture to practical actions Activities created energy & group
discussion◦ Timeline showing how long items stay on the
earth when they are not recycled◦ Who wants to be a Millionaire?
85% of respondents said the class made a difference in their recycling activities
Hymns reflected the Earth Day theme Giveaways: Bookmarks, Reuseable bags Creation Care team available to answer
questions for the congregation◦ “I’m so proud of what Mt Olivet is doing to
recycle!”◦ “I have held back on some of my donations
because I didn’t think the church always used my money wisely. But now I know about the activities we are engaged in and feel better about how my contributions are used.”
Theme: Friends of the Earth 200 participants Grades K-6th with High School Counselors 4 days per camp session
◦ Preserving God’s creation◦ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle◦ Caring for our Wildlife◦ Protecting our Water
Some people don’t want to embrace change Provide your audience with opportunities to
give feedback◦ Explain WHY it is important◦ Signage – words and pictures◦ Coffee cups◦ Repeat the message many times and in different
ways Network with other organizations Use the resources available to you!
Dive into the dumpster!◦ Milk cartons – recyclable or organic waste?◦ Remind people to empty their plastic cups◦ Nursery school teacher made a list of
questionable items to be researched◦ Home Economist switched to more items being
served family style (vs individual cups) Network with other organizations Send someone to Hennepin County’s Master
Recycler/Composter course
“I was helping Nicholas clean the playroom and we had a nice bag of garbage. As we left he looked at me and said “you ARE going to recycle that, RIGHT?”” – a mom of a Kings Kids program participant
“Now that I see what a difference we have made in our recycling efforts here at church, I am so much more aware of what needs to be done in our community. I am amazed at how many places I go that have no recycling bins.”- A custodian at Mount Olivet
Congregation is proud of our results Mount Olivet West – expands recycling
program September 2013 Mount Olivet Retreat Center will expand to
organics when hauler can carry it Plan to expand to other Mt Olivet facilities
as it becomes feasible
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church◦ Custodians◦ Staff◦ Volunteers◦ Creation Care team◦ Congregation
The Community POWER grant◦ Supported us financially◦ Forced us to get organized and establish goals,
timelines, and activities◦ Pushed us beyond just buying trash bins to do
more recycling. Our activities created more awareness in the congregation.
◦ Asked us to commit to continue activities beyond the grant period.