State government

Minnesota state government works to be a leader in waste and toxicity reduction, reuse, recycling, promotion of environmentally preferable products, and resource conservation through implementation of executive orders and State Agency Sustainability Action Plans.

Find out more about recycling efforts in The State Resource Recovery Program Recommendations Report

MPCA programs

• Green Building
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
• Product Stewardship
• MPCA Sustainability Plan 2012 (p-p2s9-17a)

Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team

IPPAT is a group of representatives from state agencies that cooperate in the execution of the Governor's Executive Order "providing for the implementation of pollution prevention and resource conservation by state government." The group meets four times each year to share information and offer case studies on pollution prevention, including waste reduction and resource conservation. IPPAT is coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Sustainable communities

Sustainable development is an ambitious process in which a community develops attitudes and ongoing actions that strengthen its natural environment, economy and social well-being. Benefits include more livable communities, lower costs and an environment safe for future generations.

A growing number of communities across America have begun this process, gathering a number of local initiatives under the umbrella of sustainability. They are bringing preventive, integrative strategies to bear on crime, health, jobs, land use and community values.

Check out the following resources to help make your community more sustainable:

• Defining sustainable communities
• Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network
• Financial assistance
  • Grants and loans
• Community assistance
• Resources

For more information on sustainable communities:

• NextStep  |  Provides information, access to resources, opportunities for networking, and inspiration on the topic of sustainable communities.
  
  
• MN GreenStep Cities  |  Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage innovation.

Governor’s Awards for Pollution Prevention

The Governor's Awards honor superior environmental achievement by Minnesota’s businesses, nonprofits, government, and institutions—organizations that focus on preserving our environment through innovative practices that prevent pollution and waste, improve resource efficiency, and lead to sustainability.