What Are the Benefits to My Community of Going Green?
We know that communities are the place where individuals and groups come together in powerful ways to make change. Many communities in the U.S. are embarking on projects and policies that engage residents in a more sustainable future. Below are links that illustrate some of the economic opportunities and benefits that Communities have found.
What can my friends and neighbors do to save money on home energy costs?
Sometimes it's the little things that matter. Whether you rent or own your home, you most likely pay for the cost of the building's energy efficiency. There are many small things that individuals can do to immediately see reduced energy costs in their homes. Many organizations offer tools, resources, and advice to reduce energy costs without compromising comfort. The U.S. Department of Energy and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy are two such examples.
Is there an opportunity to create jobs as our community goes green? Jobs Through Recycling (JTR), sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, estimates that recycling creates nearly five times as many jobs as traditional land-filling. JTR provides assistance to businesses, agencies, and individuals to expand markets for recycled and reusable materials, stimulate economic development around recycling, and create jobs within the industry. Studies document that recycling has created hundreds of thousands of jobs around the country and added billions of dollars to the U.S. economy in recent years.
In a report titled, Greening the Bottom Line, the Environment California Research & Policy Center shows how cutting global warming pollution can be good for businesses and our economy. The report shows how the 12 companies profiled in California have reduced their global warming emissions by more than 100 million pounds per year--while reducing their annual operating costs by more than $13 million.
Are there any examples of financial incentives that encourage people to reduce their weekly waste?
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT), also known as variable-rate trash disposal pricing, is a system in which residents pay for each unit of waste discarded rather than paying a fixed fee per residential household. It is equivalent to putting a price tag on each container of trash that is placed at the curb or taken to the landfill or transfer station for disposal. As residents pay directly for waste disposal services, they have a financial incentive to reduce their waste through recycling, composting, and source reduction.
Does composting cut costs?
The Fruitstand, a small produce outlet located in lower Manhattan, generates a waste stream consisting primarily of spoiled fruits and vegetables and cardboard. Its organic waste is collected and composted by Outstanding Renewal Enterprises, Inc. (ORE), who on average, collects 2.4 tons of source-separated organic waste from The Fruitstand every month. The collection cost is slightly less than what the company paid previously for disposal, and their organic waste is now collected daily. A different carter collects The Fruitstand's cardboard.
Can my community offer special permit processing for green buildings?
Time is money for developers and builders, and some communities offer expedited permitting to projects that are designed to sustainable standards. Chicago is one example. Florida's Miami-Dade County has a similar program that promotes environmentally sensitive design and construction.
Social Benefits
While the characteristics of community are as diverse as humans themselves, all communities have the essential characteristic of people living in companionship with others. Simultaneously, communities are formed around physical boundaries that include both human-built and natural environments. Sustainability is fundamental to the health and well being of any society, which means that Going Green is a conversation that belongs in every social setting.
Where can my community get assistance to bring together stakeholders and develop a plan for addressing sustainability? Every community has unique attributes and challenges that must be considered when introducing new systems and programs. Look for non-profit organizations and higher education institutions that understand both environmental and social systems for research and leadership. The Sustainability Institute, based in Hartland, Vermont is one such organization.
What does a sustainable community look like? There is a large and diverse collection of sustainable development success stories from communities across the United States. The Smart Communities Network has gathered a variety of projects and initiatives that have engaged people to work together to make their communities more livable and their quality of life more enjoyable.
Would developing an Action Plan in my community help get things organized?
Each community has unique issues to consider when moving toward a more sustainable future. Developing a comprehensive plan that identifies the community's assets and specific challenges is a great place to start. The state of Connecticut did just that in 2005 when they wrote the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan. The plan allowed residents to focus on goals that can result in a healthier environment, a more stable climate and a stronger economy for their state.
