Greenprint
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The City of Akron introduced a sustainability plan on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. This living document is the Greenprint for Akron. Greenprint for Akron creates an environmental partnership to foster a sustainable, eco-friendly community through education and leadership. Greenprint sets a vision for a sustainable community that contributes to climate and environmental protection which will create opportunities for a healthier quality of life and for economic growth. Akron has adopted seven Guiding Principles. A Green Ribbon Panel of City Managers has been meeting monthly to learn new operational alternatives for making better sustainable decisions for the future of the greater Akron area. There are eight Smart areas that have assigned goals and strategies.
The City of Akron has finished its second greenhouse gas survey for 2009 to compare community and city emissions against a baseline survey from 2005. As a member of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the city committed to the 5 Milestone process and has utilized the CACP 2009 software to determine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in terms of carbon dioxide unites, or CO2e. This year-long effort will culminate in an update to the original Greenprint for Akron plan by adding a Community Climate Action Plan, using ICLEI's Climate and Air Pollution Planning Assistant (CAPPA) tool. Affinity Consultants has been assisting in this effort as part of the EECBG funds provided in the 2009 ARRA allocation.
Mission Statement:
The Greenprint for Akron creates an environmental partnership to foster sustainable, eco-friendly community through education and leadership.
Vision Statement:
The Greenprint for Akron sets a vision for a sustainable community that contributes to climate and environmental protection which will create opportunities for a healthier quality of life and economic growth.
The Greenprint for Akron
CLICK HERE to read the 2009 Community Wide Summary Report Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
CLICK HERE to read the Source Document.
Action Areas for Akron’s Eco-Smart Campaign
Action Plans to implement the vision by 2012 (5 years) will be written in the following areas:
Smart Energy & Emissions
Air Quality, Alternative Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Rooftops, Green Build (LEEDS Certification Program), Energy Star, Advocating for Energy Audits, Employee Incentive Programs for Reducing Energy
For more information, contact Brad Beckert at bbeckert@akronohio.gov
Smart Water & Wastewater Management
Water Quality, Water and Wastewater Systems, Methane Recovery for Energy Production, Waste Sludge to Energy Production, Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Water Conservation
Success story:The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is being used for the Automated Meter Reading vehicle. This Water Distribution vehicle is used every day to collect water meter readings from Akron's over 80,000 customers. Since the majority of driving is done on residential area streets, the hybrid vehicle is a perfect blend of functionality and fuel efficiency. With the addition of the Akron Greenprint logo, this vehicle is an ever-present message that Akron is well on its way to be a more "green"community. The vehicle is also recognized as one more way that Akron is reducing its carbon footprint. For more information contact Mike McGlinchy at mmcglinchy@akronohio.gov
Smart Materials & Solid Waste Management
Environmental Purchasing, Commercial and School Recycling, Curbside Recycling, Reducing Consumption of Natural Resources, Composting
Success story: Green Products are being introduced into the City’s standard mode of operation. Recently Public Works issued a$1,000.00 purchase order to Zep Manufacturing to test their Green Products in the cleaning of asphalt paving equipment.
The Fire Department storeroom is currently using 20 to 25 Green Products in their operations and are supplied by two of the Green Fair participants: M. Conley Co. and Zep Manufacturing.
Building Maintenance is currently using green cleaning chemicals in the Safety Building. State Industrial supplies a dispensing and mixing system for the cleaning chemicals to maximize effectiveness and cost.
In 2008, Motor Equipment changed the vehicle specifications to add hybrid vehicles as an option. The City purchased two (2) hybrid Chevrolet Malibu’s which are used in the Health Department; in 2009, the City purchased a hybrid Ford Escape for Water Distribution, which is used for meter reading. For more information, contact John Valle at jvalle@akronohio.gov
Smart Transit
Mass/Rapid Transit, Promotion of Bicycle Lanes/Trails, Green Map, Carpooling, Conversion of Municipal Fleets, Efficient Traffic Control
Success Story- 60 bike racks were installed around town, at schools, libraries, coffee shops, and other desirable locations. The 3rd annual Akronbike week was held Sept 3 -12. Clean Ohio Trail Funding was awarded for the Northside Train Station Connector Trail, connecting the Towpath Trail to the Northside Train Station over Howard Street, and through the Beech Street trailhead, and the Martha Ave roundabout, the first in the City, was opened to traffic October 2010. For more information, contact Michelle DiFiore at mdifiore@akronohio.gov
Smart Development
Neighborhood Revitalization, Brownfield Recapture, Reduce Urban Sprawl, Creating Walkable Urban Neighborhoods, Land Banking, Adaptive Reuse, and Green Job Growth
Success Story: 1415 Yuma is a remodeled Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) single family home which was formerly vacant and foreclosed. The property is located in east Akron. The City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development purchased the property using federal NSP funding and renovated the property using green building techniques. Green build features include energy star rated doors and windows, HVAC system, hot water tank, low flow water sense toilets and faucets, energy star appliances, insulated to energy star specifications and in compliance, abatement strategies were used for the elimination of lead based paint and property meets all local and state codes. The H.E.R. S. (home energy rating system) went from 226 HERS index to a 78 HERS index which is far below the 100 index for a standard new home rating. This property received a 5 star rating! The property will be sold to a new homebuyer for $87,371.The NSP program helps stabilize Akron neighborhoods and provides a “move up home at a start up price” to families, with the added reassurance of low utility bills! For more information, contact Nancy Cook at ncook@akronohio.gov or Rita Weinberg at rweinberg@akronohio.gov
610 Morley is a Neighborhood Stabilization Program single family home built on a vacant infill lot owned by the City. The property is located in West Akron next to Buchtel High School. The City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development used State of Ohio NSP funding for this project. The property was built using green building techniques. The property contains 1,510 square feet, 3 bedrooms and two baths. The property is a ranch. Green build features include energy star rated doors and windows, HVAC system, hot water tank, low flow water sense toilets and faucets, energy star appliances, insulated to energy star specifications and in compliance with local and state codes. The H.E.R. S. (home energy rating system) received a 64 HERS index which is far below the 100 index for a standard new home rating. This property received a 5 star + rating! The property will be sold to a new homebuyer for approximately $105,000. The NSP program helps stabilize Akron neighborhoods and provides a “move up home at a start up price” to families, with the added reassurance of low utility bills! For more information, contact Nancy Cook at ncook@akronohio.gov or or Rita Weinberg at rweinberg@akronohio.gov
Smart Conservation Of Natural Resources
Urban Forestry, Preserving Streams/Watersheds, Preserving Open Spaces, Park Systems
Success Story: Keep Akron Beautiful along with the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District offered residents of Summit County a free Rain Garden Workshop. Over 50 people attended the clinic at Voris Community Learning Center to hear Sandy Barbic's rain garden presentation. Everyone in attendance received free rain garden plants to take home, along with a folder full of great information and resources for planting their own rain garden. Attendees also got a first hand look at the demonstration rain garden that was planted at the school this summer.
Rain Gardens are areas landscaped with perennial flowers and native vegetation that soak up rainwater. They are strategically located to capture runoff from impervious surfaces, such as roofs and streets. Rain Gardens fill with a few inches of water after a storm and then water filters into the ground, rather than running off to a storm drain. These gardens help alleviate problems associated with flooding and drainage as well as recharge the ground water supply and provide food and habitat for wildlife including birds and butterflies. And of course, they are beautiful to look at. As cities and suburbs grow, increased storm water runoff from impervious surfaces becomes a problem. As more impervious surfaces are added to our communities, it is more important than ever to help rainwater infiltrate. This protects water quality and reduces storm water runoff!
After receiving a grant from the The Corbin Foundation, Keep Akron Beautiful found the ideal location to plan, plant and maintain a demonstration rain garden. The idea was to plant a garden where the citizens of Akron can come and observe how to construct one and discover how the gardens work to capture and filter water runoff from rooftops and driveways. Akron City Council Representative, Tina Merlitti, has always been concerned about the flood plain of the Brewster Creek in Ward 7. Members of the Green Ribbon Panel began the search for a site in her ward, close to affected residents. Mark Moore, City Engineer and the Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James agreed that Voris Elementary School would be a good location for the native plant garden. For more information, contact Bill Hahn or Jon Malish at bhahn@akronohio.gov, jmalish@akronohio.gov.
Smart Community Education and Promotion of Progress
Educating Youth, City Staff Training, Greenprint Reporting, Clearinghouse for Climate Change and Community Engagement to Reach Goals.
Success Story: The Market at lock 3, now in its second season, brought more than 4,000 people to lock 3 over a 14 week period. The Market brings healthy, fresh and local produce and gift choices to Downtown employees and residents who live in or near Downtown. Buying local products is important for the local economy, the environment and our health. The Market at Lock 3 makes doing these things easy by bringing the opportunity to the consumer. Everyday Health, a welness program sponsored by SummaCare, also provided weekly wellness tips to market attendees. This program was designed to give attendees easy ways to make and continue healthly lifestyle choices. For more information, contact Kimberly Beckett at kbeckett@downtownakron.com
Recycling information:
Click here to learn more about Summit/Akron Solid Waste Management Authority
Click here to lean more about how and where to recycle in Summit County
Pharmaceutical Collection Disposal Program
The Akron Police Department, in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Summit County Health Department, has initiated a Pharmaceutical Collection Disposal Program.
The program has been initiated to provide a safe, legal and environmentally friendly means of destroying unused prescription medications. This is not to be used for illegal drugs such as marijuana.
A pharmaceutical collection box has been placed in the lobby of the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center. You are encouraged to dispose of your unused pharmaceuticals at this drop site. There are no forms to be completed or special packaging to be used. All that is necessary is to drop your unused prescription medication in their original container or some other secured method such as a sealable sandwich bag.
Personnel from the Akron Police Department will retrieve these discarded pharmaceuticals and have them properly destroyed in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
LOCAL ACTION MOVES THE WORLD
As a member of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, we are part of an active network of more than 400 local governments in the United States advancing climate protection and sustainability and turning challenges into opportunities. Together we’re providing inspiring leadership, instructive experience and innovative solutions.
Learn more about how local governments are driving climate action and sustainable development at www.icleiusa.org.
Climate Protection Benefits for Local Governments
- Save Taxpayer Dollars
- Build the Local Economy and Create Jobs
- Improve Air Quality and Public Health
- Invest in Long-Term Community Livability
- Connect Cities with National Leaders and Resources
- Inspire Community Engagement and Individual Action
- Create a Legacy of Leadership
Green Websites
David Gershon, author of the Low Carbon Diet and Social Change 2.0 is leading the way to changing the individual’s behavior where they live. His proven platform is neighborhoods, using the development of eco-teams to select greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies that will work for their block. The whole concept of community action training and advocacy is being successfully transferred to all types of livability topics in cities like Philadelphia. Log on and learn………
http://www.empowermentinstitute.net
More Green Information....
Click here to learn more about what is going on nationally to stop global warming
Click here to read about how you can help reduce the carbon footprint
Click Here to read about how global warming is threatening the Buckeye state!
Click Here for valuable tips on how you can fight global warming!
Click Here for more information on Environmental Akron
