Bracknell Forest Council, GB recruits local schools for Eco Rewards sustainable travel pilot

Participating schools encourage their students to walk, cycle, and take shared transport as part of the program. Each student records their trip via online form or swiping their smart tag at an Eco Rewards station. Recorded trips can be used as entries into prize drawings or pooled for school competitions. Council leaders and school administrators are tracking Eco Rewards check-ins to determine the pilot's impact on carbon emissions from transportation.

Rialto, CA moves toward resilient and efficient water treatment with Wastewater Microgrid Project

The three-year project with Veolia North America adds solar panels and on-site battery storage to the plant. A reciprocating engine turns waste heat into electricity, replacing the traditional gas flare-off process. Excess energy not used for the plant's operations can be stored in case of power outages or sold to the local grid. These investments will result in $350,000 per year in energy savings and an annual emissions reduction of 600 metric tons.

Westland, ZH creates more green space in residential areas with Green Meters program

Westland uses traditional and social media campaigns to promote this program. Each participant must replace at least one square meter of pavement in their yards to qualify for free foliage. Green Meters includes a wide variety of options including climbing plants, daffodils, and shrubs. This initiative produces more habitable spaces for native wildlife and improves drainage during heavy rainstorms.

Ballina, NSW reduces need for single-use coffee cups with HuskeeSwap pilot in Lennox Head

Five participating cafes receive 12 reusable HuskeeCups subsidized by the council. Huskee creates the HuskeeCup using reclaimed coffee husks. Coffee drinkers swap HuskeeCups with the cafe when they order drinks. The cups are sanitized by the business and placed back into the exchange system. Ballina approved the HuskeeSwap pilot to help consumers make eco-friendly choices while preventing single-use cups from reaching landfills.

Montgomery County, MD proposes Building Energy Performance Standard for existing and new buildings

The proposed standards establish energy efficiency baselines for public, multi-family residential, and commercial buildings. A multi-tiered process evaluates building performance and customizes standards for each building type by 2037. The primary metric for energy consumption will be Energy Use Intensity, which takes into account building size and occupancy. Montgomery County is the first county in the United States to propose this standard for existing structures.

Melbourne, VIC generates circular economy innovations with Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund

The council issues $175,000 AUD to food producers, businesses, and nonprofits with ideas on how to cut landfill contributions. Stream 1 of this initiative provides $2,500 grants along with mentoring opportunities to participants. Stream 2 participants receive $5,000 grants and council assistance with innovation research, development, and piloting. Food businesses participating in Stream 3 use $5,000 grants on eco-friendly approaches to organic waste disposal.

Sydney, NSW establishes Greening Sydney 2030 plan to counter climate change with new foliage

The plan calls for 700 new trees on city streets per year to fill gaps found in a comprehensive tree inventory. Development projects must fit within the plan's goals based on newly implemented Green Factor Scores. Sydney residents are engaged on a regular basis to check plan progress and participate in volunteer activities. Greening Sydney 2030 works toward 40% coverage of the city with new trees, green roofs, and pocket parks by 2050.

Apeldoorn, GE experiments with sustainable living and land use during tiny home pilot

Ten applicants were randomly selected to live in tiny homes on a vacant lot in Zuidbroek. The participants divided the lot amongst themselves and worked with designers on custom features. Each home has up to 28 square meters of usable space that minimizes emissions and waste. Pilot requirements include full-time residency in the homes for up to five years. Apeldoorn does not provide utility connections in order to encourage self-sufficiency among residents.

Darebin, VIC reuses and recycles building materials for KP Hardiman Reserve project

Metal fences and artificial playing surfaces will move from the demolished stadium to parks, schools, and golf courses. Plastic, concrete, and crusher dust are slated for reuse in asphalt. The new KP Hardiman Reserve will use recycled plastic for seats and turf. Recycled glass will be used for paths throughout the facility and recycled paper mulch will surround the field. This innovative project garnered funding from Victoria's Sustainable Infrastructure Fund.

Haarlemmermeer, NH organizes the world's first zero-emission airport hotel shuttle network

City officials are working with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and nearby hotels on a unified system of all-electric shuttles. The network replaces diesel-powered shuttles operated by individual hotels that contribute to traffic congestion and poor air quality. International travelers will start riding plug-in shuttles in 2024. Haarlemmermeer estimates tailpipe emission reductions of 1,900 tons per year once the network is finished.

Apeldoorn, GE plans sustainable district heating network in Kerschoten and Kerschoten-West

The water treatment facility at Stadhoudersmolenweg will convert waste energy into heat sent through underground pipes. Apartments and homes in these two areas will be heated by these pipes rather than existing gas or electric systems. City officials are working with housing groups on public workshops that inform implementation and messaging. A district heating network contributes to Apeldoorn's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 while cutting energy costs.

Highland Council, GB encourages sustainable behavior among staff members with Green Impact Programme

Council employees register online as teams and select from 141 sustainability exercises. Teams work with university students on food gardens, biodiversity exercises, and energy awareness messaging. The council's Climate Change Team contacts participants throughout their journeys to assess their needs. Each action is awarded up to 10 points with three recognition tiers based on point accumulation.