Randolph County Recycling District

10/09/2026

Yes!❤

Were you thinking about all the yard work you have to do before the snow flies?

Well, we are here to take two things off your list!

One of the most valuable (and easiest) things you can do to support pollinators, invertebrates, and other wildlife is to provide them with the winter cover they need: fallen leaves and standing dead plant material.

Many butterflies, moths, and other insects utilize leaf litter as their overwintering habitat. In addition to all the great benefits for wildlife, leaf litter also serves as free mulch that suppresses weeds and fertilizes the soil as it decomposes. Another thing you can do is leave the stems of your plants standing throughout the winter. The seed heads will provide seeds to birds that spend the winter with us, and the dead stems of your plants provide a safe space for cavity-nesting bees throughout the winter.

So this fall, leave the leaves and save the stems of your plants!

Let's work together to redefine what a beautiful landscape is! In our eyes, the most beautiful landscapes support the most wildlife.

We also want to note that “leave the leaves” does not necessarily mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fall. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency urges people to clean up leaves that have fallen on streets, sidewalks, and other hardscapes where they can wash into stormwater systems and end up in lakes, streams, and rivers. They note that when leaves from whole cities or neighborhoods wash into a body of water through a stormwater system, the volume of organic matter can overwhelm that body of water. The leaves’ nutrients feed algae growth, which decomposes and uses up oxygen that fish and native plants need in Minnesota’s waterways.

If you live in a suburban or urban area, we encourage you to clean up your leaves that have fallen along your curb and sidewalk throughout the fall and use the leaves as mulch throughout your yard. Also, if you are worried about leaves smothering your lawn, rake up the leaves and use them as mulch in your garden beds.

Share to spread the word! &

10/09/2026

❤

CURRENT & PAST SERVICE MEMBERS, WE WANT YOU IN THE PARADE!

For this year’s Wi******er Main Street Festival Parade, we are inviting current and past members of our military to join our Grand Marshal Group.

You can walk, ride, or bring a golf cart and be part of the parade. Uniforms are encouraged, but not required.

This is a great opportunity for our community to come together and recognize the men and women who have served our country.

If you are a current or past service member and would like to participate, please preregister here:

https://forms.gle/SUBNXrC5CWL9TfYc8

The parade is Saturday, October 10 at 5:00 PM.

Come be part of the parade and let our community show you how much we appreciate your service!

Please share and tag your family and friends.

10/06/2026

♻️ Pollution Solution Season Reminder!
Our last regular-season day is October 17th!
🕒 Thursday: 3–6 PM
🕗 Saturday: 8 AM–12 PM
Mark your calendars for two special Saturday openings:
📅 November 21st
📅 December 19th
Thank you for helping keep our community clean! 💚

10/01/2026

🥰

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the City of Wi******er, Indiana Street Department! ❤️

We are so grateful for all the hard work you do to help keep our community looking its best. From hanging the city banners to taking care of so many of the behind-the-scenes details that make a difference, your efforts help make downtown Wi******er feel welcoming, festive, and beautiful.

We truly appreciate the time, care, and hard work you put into our community. It does not go unnoticed! Thank you for helping make Wi******er a place we can all be proud to call home. 💙

******er ******erIndiana ******er

09/22/2026

Too cute!

A pawpaw snack with a surprise visitor!

Looks like this box turtle found itself a ripe pawpaw (Asimina triloba) fruit on the forest floor. Native plants like pawpaw are part of what makes Indiana’s forests so special. Invasive plants can crowd them out, changing the understory and reducing the food and habitat available for our wildlife.

So when we protect native plants, we’re not just protecting plants. We’re protecting the whole community that depends on them.

📸 Photo by SICIM Regional Specialist Jalen Sleet

09/21/2026

Community grant in action!

09/10/2026

🌎 Randolph County Teachers — Environmental Education Grant Applications Are Open for 2026–2027! 🌱

Teachers of 3rd and 4th grade classrooms in Randolph County can apply for up to $1,000 to help bring environmental education to life for their students!

Grant funding can support projects and experiences such as greenhouse projects, landfill and recycling center field trips, visits to the Cope Environmental Center or Boonshoft Museum, Earth & Recycling Clubs, environmental guest speakers, and other creative environmental learning opportunities.

♻️ Give your students the chance to learn, explore, and make a difference in their environment!

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer for the application and complete details.
📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Please share with a 3rd or 4th grade teacher in Randolph County who could benefit from this opportunity!

Willard Elementary School
Deerfield Elementary School
Randolph Eastern School Corporation
Randolph Southern Elementary
Monroe Central Elementary School

09/03/2026

🎨 LATEX PAINT COLLECTION IS BACK! 🎨

Have leftover latex paint sitting around your garage, basement, or shed? Now is the perfect time to clean it out!

Pollution Solution will be accepting latex paint throughout the entire month of September.

📍 Bring your latex paint to Pollution Solution during our regular hours:

Thursdays: 3:00–6:00 PM
Saturdays: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Help us keep unwanted paint out of the trash and dispose of it properly. ♻️

Spread the word and take advantage of our September Latex Paint Collection!