Dayton declares 'Minnesota recycles day'

Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed today is "Minnesota Recycles Day" and says recycling contributes to the state's economy and job creation.

The state says the recycled materials sector is growing quickly: Direct jobs increased 69 percent between 2004 and 2011. Minnesota-based manufacturers make everything from Post-it notes to windows to paving using recycled material.

Kayla Bromelkamp, spokeswoman for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said having two reasons to recycle might provide the added push some people need to develop the habit.

"It's really great to know that you're doing something great for the environment, but it also is helping the local economy," she said.

Bromelkamp said Minnesotans are pretty good at recycling, but we still throw away more than 1 million tons of recyclables worth nearly $300 million every year.

"We have local companies that could use those materials to build new products," Bromelkamp said.

The state is trying to boost recycling away from home, especially plastic bottles. Bromelkamp said businesses should place recycling bins next to trash bins, and label them clearly.

• Follow Stephanie Hemphill on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mpr_hemphill