Each month, Sustainability Sam will answer your questions about how you can be more sustainable. Send your questions to SustainabilitySam@tangletown.org for a chance to be featured in an upcoming response.
Minneapolis’ Green Zones
Dear Sam, I recently learned that Minneapolis has two “Green Zones.” As I learn about these areas of our city […]
Packaging Problems
Dear Sustainability Sam, How can I reuse those insulated foil lined bags I receive with grocery deliveries? – Rita **** […]
An Update on Textile Recycling
Dear Sustainability Sam, I have attended the last two textile waste-focused virtual events. I noticed that the most common question […]
Sustainability Book Recommendations
Hello Tangletown! As we approach the long winter months, Sustainability Sam thought we might provide you with a list of […]
Prepping for winter and energy savings
Dear Sustainability Sam, What are a few things I need to do to prepare my home for a cold winter […]
Textile Recycling Problem
Dear Sustainability Sam, I was planning to attend the Tangletown textile event last spring, and then a pandemic hit. Does […]
Lessons Learned in Veggie Gardening and Other Tips for Eating Local
Hey Sam, I’m curious how your vegetable garden turned out? I struggled a bit with mine and I’m curious what […]
The Intersection of Environmental Justice and Social Justice
Dear Sam, What does sustainability have to do with social justice? Janet ***** Hi Janet, Sustainability Sam here! Let’s talk […]
What to do about increased waste during Covid19
Dear Sam, I’m typically a bring-my-own bag and container type of shopper. While I support COVID-19 safety measures, I am […]
Sustainability Sam’s Foray into Gardening
Hello Tangletowners! We didn’t receive a new sustainability question this month, so we thought we would share with you Keri’s […]
Growing Your Own Food
Dear Sam, What is something easy I can do during the Covid-19 stay-at-home order that’s good for the planet? Sincerely, […]
Meet Your Sustainability Sam Neighbor Keri Diem
Many of you have asked, “Who is Sustainability Sam?” We are two people: Andrea Siegel and Keri Diem. We introduced […]

Textile Recycling
Dear Sustainability Sam, I am doing some updates in my home and would like to recycle the old curtains. Is […]
Sustainable Laundry Ideas
Dear Sustainability Sam, Not only do I hate doing laundry, but it also seems so wasteful when you consider the […]
Ice Dams
Dear Sustainability Sam, Walking around the neighborhood both last year and more recently, I have noticed a lot of ice […]
Feeling Overwhelmed by Climate Change?
Dear Sam, The climate crisis seems to be in the news a lot these days and I’m starting to see […]
Does Food Waste Really Matter?
Dear Sustainability Sam, I have heard that food waste creates greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to global heating and climate […]
Meet One of the Voices Behind Sustainability Sam!
This month, we’d like to introduce you to one of the voices behind Sustainability Sam, Tangletown Environmental Committee co-chair Andrea […]
Sustainable Eating
Hi Everyone! With all the news out there about climate change this summer, Sustainability Sam thought this month we […]
Avoiding Party Waste
Dear Sam, I always cringe when I see the amount of waste at parties. What advice do you have to […]
Earth Friendly Lawns
Dear Sustainability Sam, We have a traditional grass lawn that is becoming sparse for various reasons. What is good alternative […]
Bathroom Composting
Hi Sam, I’ve been composting in the kitchen for a while and would like to get into composting in the […]
Road Chemicals
Dear Sustainability Sam, What happens to all the road chemicals used in winter months to keep the roads clear? -Brian […]

Storm Drains
April 2019 Dear Sustainability Sam, Why is it so important to clear the storm drains in the streets? -Beth ——————————— […]
Recycling Questions Answered
March 2019 Dear Dedicated Minneapolis Recyclers, Thank you to everyone who submitted recycling questions on Nextdoor and Facebook. I am […]
Organics Recycling
February 2019: Dear Sustainability Sam, What does the city do with the Organics they collect? […]

Community Solar Gardens
January 2019: Dear Sustainability Sam, I have gotten several ads for solar energy/joining on a solar energy grid. Not sure […]
Low Waste Holidays
December 2018: Dear Sustainability Sam, The holidays generate so much garbage! What can be recycled and what are some ways […]