Free Product Room Contest Winners

Congratulations to Mark and Lindsey, the winners of the 2022 Washington County free product room contest! 

First Place Winner: Mark found that tung oil, a product commonly found in the free product room, provided a beautiful finish to the reclaimed western red cedar he used to create a variety of handmade products.   

Second Place Winner: Lindsey used a combination of stains from the free product room to finish a headboard she built out of pallet boards.  

Thank you to everyone who participated! We encourage you to keep using the free product room and participate in the next contest, beginning this September.  

2023 Collection Events

One-day collection events for household hazardous waste and electronics bring the services offered at the year-round Environmental Center closer to you. Document shredding will also be available at all events.  

• Mahtomedi: Apr. 22 
• Forest Lake: May 6 | Jun. 3 | Sept. 9 
• Stillwater: May 20 | Sept. 23

Learn more about one-day collection events 

Shredding events will be held on six Wednesdays in 2023. All events will be held at the Environmental Center from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Apr. 19 | May 24 | Jun. 21 | Aug. 2 | Sept. 27 | Nov. 8

Learn more about shredding events

Proper Paint Storage

Winter paint storage can be problematic for Minnesotans since most garages are unheated. Latex paint that has frozen and thawed may become ropey, stringy, or clumpy. 

Bring your leftover paint to the Environmental Center before it freezes, where it will be blended with other paint and placed in the free product room. If paint is frozen, it will be sent to Amazon Paint in Fridley where it  is processed as a binder or dust control agent in cement manufacturing.     

Feb. 18 is National Battery Day

Help protect the environment and celebrate National Battery Day by recycling your used batteries!  

There are hidden dangers to improper handling and disposal of batteries. These dangers cause an increasing number of fires across recycling centers, waste facilities, and garbage trucks, putting lives in danger and resulting in millions of dollars in physical damage. 

By taking a few extra steps, we can all play a role in reducing the potential risks to people, property, and the environment. 

Learn more about battery recycling