Living Sustainably: Solar system is a first for city retrofit project

By Peter Boogaart, City of Holland

Roy and Mary Cole’s 26 th Street home is the first to install solar panels through the city’s Home Energy Retrofit program.

Roy and Mary Cole have a long-standing interest in energy efficiency. “We’ve always done what we could to help the environment,” Roy said. So, when they moved into their new home on 26th Street, they set about making it the best it could be.
The most obvious change is to the landscaping. Roy and Mary developed an eye-catching remake of all the gardens and beds. Not so observable, however, is the work that Roy did inside. He went to work on the attics and basement, sealing up air leaks and insulating empty spaces. “I want this house to be as energy efficient as possible,” he said.
After doing all he could by himself, Roy brought in the GreenHome Institute for an evaluation. GreenHome evaluated all the building systems and processed the data using the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score system. The system scores a house’s energy efficiency on a scale from one to 10.
The Cole’s home rated an eight.

Solar panels are a later step in the energy efficiency process, after addressing more basic fixes such as insulation, air sealing, lighting and appliances.

Brett Little, GreenHome’s director, then referred the Coles to the City of Holland’s Home Energy Retrofit Program. Brett knew that a score of eight was the qualifying level for solar panels in the Holland program. “It made sense to me,” Roy said. “I’ve always wanted solar panels and this was the chance.”
The Holland program covers 10 percent of qualified energy efficiency improvement costs.
The Holland program brought in additional professional help. Ver Wys Home Improvement, one of the authorized contractors, inspected the home and made recommendations to further improve the air sealing and insulation. Hunter Energy Resources came on board to install the solar panels.
The Coles are a first in Holland.

Roy Cole is able to observe his system’s power generation through an app.

Homeowners working through the city and our residential energy advisor office have completed 78 projects so far, but the Cole’s project is the first using solar panels. An effective energy efficiency strategy moves through a series of steps. It is important in those steps to review all the home systems – air sealing, insulations, HVAC, hot water, appliances, lighting, and windows and doors.
Solar panels are considered only after doing everything possible through those previous steps to lower a home’s energy baseload. Solar panels are the icing on the cake.
In its Community Energy Plan, the City of Holland has a goal to become a world-class energy efficient city. Some 20 percent of energy used in the city goes into homes, and there is much room for improvement.
All residential property owners in the city, including landlords, are eligible to benefit from the expertise and rebates provided through the city’s Home Energy Retrofit program. Learn more at www.hollandenergyfund.com or call Holland Community & Neighborhood Services Department at (616) 355-1330.
 Peter Boogaart is the residential energy advisor for the City of Holland and assists homeowners with energy efficiency issues.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Smart Energy: We need to use both conservation and efficiency measures to manage our resources to provide access to reliable and cost-effective energy.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Living Sustainably: Herrick District Library is Holland’s ‘third space’

By Andrea Goodall, Herrick District Library

If you walk into Herrick District Library any day of the week, you are likely to see rich and poor, young and old, people every hue of the rainbow.

In between home (the first space) and work (the second space) is the hangout (the third space). It’s a space where people come together to have a good time, share amongst themselves and learn from others.

Herrick District Library strives to be a third space for the Holland area.

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg pioneered the idea of third spaces in 1989. Informal spaces where people gather over a cup of coffee or a common idea help create a sense of community, stabilize neighborhoods and advance community knowledge. They support a sustainable community.

At Herrick District Library (HDL), people can gather around a lunch from the café, use free Wi-Fi to access the world, study in quiet, isolated spaces, or meet to engage in dialogue in groups of five to 200.

Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore and HDL soon will explore topics as diverse as community policing, seed saving (in anticipation of HDL’s upcoming seed library project), environmental awareness through fly fishing and a Green Commute Expo ahead of the 2018 Green Commute Week. Look for more on those events soon.

What all these events share in common is the purpose of advancing community knowledge and improving quality of life in the Holland area.

The January series “Curious About …” will teach people about a number of technologies that can make the lives of those living with disabilities (and everyone) better. That includes hands-free technology and assistive devices, 3D printing, and free audio and braille books.

Also in January, the preschool fair will give parents of little ones an idea of resources the area has to offer.

The library always has story times for children from birth to 5 years old, instilling a love of language and learning at an early age and giving caregivers skills to teach literacy at home. A new, special needs adult story time is a half hour of fun books, songs and fellowship led by Camp Sunshine staff.

And consider that future leaders aren’t simply born; they are nurtured and grown. Herrick District Library’s Teen Advisory Board, Lakeshore Youth Leadership and Social Justice Club, whose members designed a program that brought together people from across generations to knit scarves for those in need, all work to that end.

And a new Kids Advisory Board will bring youth in third through fifth grades into the fold when it begins meeting in January.

HDL has just too many third space programs to list here, but find more about all these and other events at Herrickdl.org.

— Andrea Goodell is the community relations associate at Herrick District Library.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme

Community Knowledge: The collective knowledge and energy of the community is an incredible resource that must be channeled to where it is needed.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Holland Board of Public Works 2017 Annual Report

“In this 2017 Year in Review, we’ve explored the idea that Holland is a community like no other, and part of what makes us unique is the quality and innovation delivered through our utility services.” – Dave Koster, HBPW General Manager. Read this full letter in this year’s annual report.

http://annualreports.hollandbpw.com/annualreport2017/

Living Sustainably: Equity and inclusion build sustainable communities

By Esther Fifelski, City of Holland
Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are vital to vibrant communities and build a culture of respect at all levels of the community.

But as members of a sustainable community, are we focused on transactional activities for the sake of activity? For example, are we having a community meeting as a result of an issue related to race, equity and inclusion, with no action plan to address the systemic problem?

Or, are we advocating for transformative change? Transformative change reaps organic change that is sustainable over time. It looks at systems and processes that created the problem. Transformative work changes the environment to fix the patterns that keep communities from experiencing vibrancy for all people.

Here are preliminary initiatives for organizations, businesses or other groups to help build a framework to work toward transformative change:

1. Communicate the vision of equity and inclusion in your vision and mission statement to members of your organization. If you do not address this in your vision or mission statement, you send a clear message to underserved communities that those issues are not important.

2. Articulate that vision’s importance in your training, literature and public relations program.

3. Hold your leadership accountable through the performance evaluation process. Whether you work for a private organization or government, elevate equity and inclusion in every area of your work. If you are a leader, model behavior that you wish to achieve.

4. Welcome dialogue. Having difficult conversations provides a place to start solving the problem. When we work together, we achieve better outcomes for all.

5. As you remove barriers and implement strategies, measure the outcomes and communicate outwardly. Learn from the mistakes and move on!

6. Name and celebrate success. Most people want to engage in successful initiatives.

7. Be patient. Meaningful results, for the most part, happen over time.  Transformative work is sacred work and builds the spirit of the community. This is not about entitlement; this is about working toward mutual benefit. Often times, we want someone else to do the work. Ultimately, we have responsibility to work for better outcomes. Transformative work requires all to engage.

Finally, use the spirit of civil discourse and mutual respect to have difficult conversations. Negotiation and mediation within communities is essential for positive outcomes. The reality of life is that sometimes you lose when you win. Sustainable outcomes may require negotiation.  Sustainable communities value equity and inclusion and leave a framework for the next generation!

 Esther Fifelski is human relations coordinator for the City of Holland.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:
Quality of Life: The community, through governmental, religious, business and social organizations, makes decisions that contribute to its own well-being.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

November 2017 Sustainability News

November 2017 Sustainability News

November 30, 2017 – Betsy DeVos approves Michigan’s federal school accountability plan

November 30, 2017 – Plan for Parkside Marina redevelopment presented in full, faces opposition

November 30, 2017 – Holland e-commerce business busy this Cyber Monday

November 29, 2017 – Jeff Goodell’s ‘engaging, often terrifying’ book

November 29, 2017 – 4 great gifts for your green-living friend

November 29, 2017 – Sustainable Apparel Coalition Increases Analytics for Supply Chain Assessment

November 29, 2017 – Businesses Ask EPA to Curb Clean Power Plan at Hearing

November 29, 2017 – This auto mechanic is ready for an electric vehicle revolution

November 28, 2017 – The New Year’s resolution you can keep: A more eco-friendly home

November 28, 2017 – Lake Michigan water levels expected to continue to rise this spring

November 28, 2017 – 4 Ways Socially Responsible Banks Are Good for You and Your Wallet

November 28, 2017 – Letter: Holland is stuck in the past

November 28, 2017 – Holland-area nonprofits host events, campaigns for #GivingTuesday

November 27, 2017 – A huge investment firm is urging companies to disclose climate risks

November 27, 2017 – Living Sustainably: ‘Energy literacy’ is key for Holland’s future

November 27, 2017 – Kent, Ottawa districts get money to grow farm-to-school programs

November 27, 2017 – Big boost for solar expected from state ruling

November 27, 2017 – Hurricanes harm birds, too: What you can do to help your backyard birds

November 23, 2017 – Home Help: Signs your heating system needs a tune-up

November 23, 2017 – Guest Editorial: Democrats must confront mistreatment of women

November 22, 2017 – Good night, night: Light pollution increases around globe

November 22, 2017 – Council narrowly approves long-term Flint water deal

November 22, 2017 – Too right it’s Black Friday: our relentless consumption is trashing the planet

November 22, 2017 – Esther J. Cepeda: This Thanksgiving, give others a helping of gratitude

November 22, 2017 – The state of sustainability today: Nearly all consumers are involved in some way

November 21, 2017 – The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard *Michigan tied for #11.

November 21, 2017 – Holland Rescue Mission to host annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet

November 21, 2017 – Palisades Power Plant to host public meeting

November 21, 2017 – Holland-area businesses gear up for Black Friday shopping

November 20, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Heat hints and free LED lights make holidays greener

November 20, 2017 – JEFFREY B. JOHNSON OF HOPE CHEMISTRY FACULTY ELECTED AAAS FELLOW

November 20, 2017 – Largest Cocoa Producing Countries Agree to Work with Hershey, Nestle, Mars & More

November 20, 2017 – Landfill or Sustainable Business Park? Michigan County Considers the Question

November 20, 2017 – Top 5 features millennials look for in a home

November 19, 2017 – Newly-formed: Holland-area conservation group holds first meeting

November 19, 2017 – The perfect gift for animal lovers: Becoming a wildlife hero

November 19, 2017 – Guest Editorial: The rest of the world is moving on with global trade

November 18, 2017 – Political analysts discuss Trump at Hope College

November 17, 2017 – Tesla wants to electrify big trucks, adding to its ambitions

November 17, 2017 – 4 Ways Companies Can Reach Millennials With A Message Of Sustainability

November 16, 2017 – Kent County meets with community to discuss sustainability, recycling plans

November 16, 2017 – Scientists warn: Soon it will be too late to save Earth

November 16, 2017 – Fuel economy is going up. Vehicle prices are holding steady.

November 16, 2017 – Farm runoff and the worsening algae plague waterways

November 16, 2017 – Holland Township not likely to allow bees, chickens in residential zones

November 16, 2017 – Homeowner at last reaches a $3,400 settlement for a $100,000 water bill

November 15, 2017 – These are the melting glaciers that might someday drown your city, according to NASA

November 15, 2017 – Holland-area chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby to host first meeting

November 15, 2017 – These five plants can improve a room’s decor — and your health

November 14, 2017 – Weather and climate aren’t the same thing

November 14, 2017 – Investigation into tannery waste disposal expands

November 14, 2017 – Winterize your home now for comfort all throughout winter

November 14, 2017 – Science confirms Hurricane Harvey was indeed ‘biblical’

November 14, 2017 – Holland planning reconstruction of Hope Avenue

November 14, 2017 – Letter: Parkside Marina represents us all

November 14, 2017 – Letter: Ottawa County-run marina is inconceivable

November 14, 2017 – 7 Tips for a More Sustainable Thanksgiving

November 13, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Make your holidays a little greener

November 13, 2017 – Trump focuses on trade, fighting terrorism with Duterte

November 13, 2017 – Is the wine in your glass friendly to the environment? There soon will be new ways to know.

November 13, 2017 – Reduce and Reuse at Home [Infographic]

November 12, 2017 – GVSU named top sustainability school

November 11, 2017 – Zeeland Clean Water Plant expansion opens

November 10, 2017 – Gallup study confirms that 2017 really is worse than 2016

November 9, 2017 – Dinosaurs would have survived if asteroid hit Earth elsewhere, scientists claim

November 8, 2017 – 4 Do-It-Yourself Projects Saving You Money on Energy Bills

November 8, 2017 – Michigan composting firm wins top prize at Silicon Valley tech forum

November 8, 2017 – Study: North Carolina’s coastal policies among worst in nation on climate change

November 8, 2017 – Free showing of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ at DeGraaf

November 8, 2017 – Ottawa ISD launches police, schools, fire collaboration

November 6, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Three’s not enough: The eight R’s of recycling

November 5, 2017 – Ottawa County Parks receives grant to fight invasive species

November 3, 2017 – Broad U.S. report says global warming is massive — and caused by humans

November 2, 2017 – Most CO2 Emissions Are Coming From World’s Biggest Companies. What to do?

November 2, 2017 – How churches could turn the obesity epidemic around

November 1, 2017 – Report Reveals Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Through Public-Private Partnership

November 1, 2017 – Court Hands Victory to Trucking Industry Tied to Fuel Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Standards

Living Sustainably: ‘Energy literacy’ is key for Holland’s future

By Peter Boogaart, City of Holland
The City of Holland has put down a marker. It’s well out there into the future – 40 years in the future.
Our intention is to become a world-class, energy efficient city. That’s an exciting, big goal, and it should fire your imagination. But, it’s equally important to see that the goal represents serious thought about the future. Energy security will be a defining issue in the coming decades. We need to begin positioning ourselves now for that future.
Holland began to position itself in 2011 by launching a Community Energy Plan. The plan outlines interactive and mutually reinforcing initiatives – each presupposing community engagement enlightened by energy literacy.

Holland’s new Energy Park features an informative Education Center to help increase the energy literacy of the community. Photo courtesy City of Holland

Expect technologies to evolve. Expect social structures to change. What won’t change is the need for energy. Holland will need citizens who understand energy related issues and feel confident in making strategic decisions.
The foundation for energy literacy is already being laid.
The new Holland Energy Park has a major interactive educational center. Community and school groups will be invited to tour the facility and learn about electric production and related energy issues. It’s anticipated that staffing will be in place for 2018. The Energy Park was designed to be a destination and you should put it on your agenda, right along with Windmill Island.
On another front, building labeling is one of the Community

Homeowners Cliff and Nancy Ponstein, with Holland Residential Energy Advisor Peter Boogaart (center), show their Energy Score Label, a way to raise awareness of energy efficiency in Holland’s homes. Photo courtesy City of Holland

Energy Plan’s initiatives. Labels advance the goal of energy literacy. Think of building labels as those placards you find on cars and appliances – miles per gallon and kWh per year. Building labels document energy performance and give us the information we need to make future-oriented strategic decisions.
The new Home Energy Retrofit program has begun the process of awarding labels for energy efficient homes. The process uses software from the Department of Energy to analyze a home’s energy performance. Homes are scored on a scale from one to 10. The labels are in “cling” format so that they can be applied to the front window. Each label features the number for that house.
In the Home Energy Retrofit program, each house receives an initial score and then the house is re-scored after the energy efficiency improvements are installed. Homes that receive a final score of seven or better are awarded a label.
Keep your eyes open – about 40 labels have already been awarded. To learn more about building labels and the Home Energy Retrofit program – or just for the fun of it – check out www.hollandenergyfund.com or call Holland’s Community & Neighborhood Services Department at (616) 355-1330.
 Peter Boogaart is the residential energy advisor for the City of Holland and assists homeowners with energy efficiency issues.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:
Community Knowledge: The collective knowledge and energy of the community is an incredible resource that must be channeled to where it is needed.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Living Sustainably: Heat hints and free LED lights make holidays greener

By Deena Roberson, Holland Board of Public Works

Holland BPW customers can trade for free LED Christmas lights Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

With the holiday season upon us, the cool weather and impending snowfall will drive up our energy bills. The largest energy expense in the winter comes from the furnace and the energy needed to heat your home. Check out the tips below to see how you can combat the winter energy blues!
 Instead of cranking up that thermostat, try opening the curtains on any south-facing windows during the day to let the sunshine and warmth in.
 Be sure to close the curtains again at night to help keep the warmth in, and add weather stripping around any drafty doors, too.

 If you feel a little chilly, grab a sweater, some cozy slippers, and a blanket to stay warm.
 Invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to automatically adjust your home’s temperature while you are gone to avoid heating an empty home. Program the thermostat to a lower temperature while you sleep, too, to keep energy use down. By adjusting the thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter, you can save big on your heating costs.
 To make sure your furnace is working as efficiently as possible, check the filter and replace it if need be. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder to push air through the system, which equals more energy used.
Another large holiday energy expense comes from all those beautiful, decorative lights.

Strands of old Christmas lights that use five times the energy of new LED lights will be recycled.

Traditional incandescent string lights lose much of their energy (about 90 percent) through heat, not light, making them very inefficient.
LED (light-emitting diode) string lights are not only 80 percent more efficient, but they are safer and sturdier. Because most of the energy in the bulb goes to making light, not heat, the bulbs stay cool to the touch. LED string lights are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, which make them much more resistant to breakage.
And while incandescent string lights are less expensive to start, LED lights will last 40 seasons or more, making them a wise investment.

If you are a Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW) customer, you can ditch your old, inefficient holiday lights for a new strand of 105 warm-white LEDs! From 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, HBPW customers can stop by the HBPW Service Center at 625 Hastings Ave. to exchange and upgrade old, incandescent holiday lights.
All old strands will be properly recycled, so it’s a win-win. Limit three LED string lights per customer, but each person can recycle as many old strings as they’d like.

To learn more about HBPW events, rebates and programs, and to see more energy saving tips, visit www.hollandbpw.com. May your holiday season be green and bright!

 Deena Roberson is the conservation programs specialist at Holland Board of Public Works. She manages residential energy efficiency and water conservation programs.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Smart Energy: We need to use both conservation and efficiency measures to manage our resources to provide access to reliable and cost-effective energy.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Living Sustainably: Make your holidays a little greener

By Marissa Ruehl, Hope College Green Team Intern

It’s easy to make the holidays a little more green by taking some simple steps toward sustainability.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The holidays are quickly approaching, and we often overlook the environmental impact of these events. Below are a few easy suggestions to help make the most wonderful time of the year a little more green.
The Feast: Holidays bring big meals and family get-togethers for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Use real dishes and silverware whenever possible; they make for longer cleanup but a happier trash bag.
Single-use items are costly to the environment, but if you must use them, purchase recyclable versions and keep them out of the landfill. When shopping for meals, keep it local and use seasonal foods: squash, apples, cranberries, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and chestnuts.
Shopping: As the shoppers rush home with their treasures, every store will offer bags. This excessive use of plastic is not good. Instead, bring a few reusable bags and kindly ask the cashier if you can use your own.

Donated items are accepted and repurposed at Ditto, a Holland resale store. Volunteers sort clothing at Ditto, where donated clothing is repurposed, supporting sustainability in Holland.

Sharing: Remember those who are less fortunate, and take time to help out in Holland and around the world. You can make donations to charities, participate in an “adopt a child/family” gift program, or volunteer with a local organization. Spread the love during the holidays.
Purchases: Shop local, buy local, and give gifts made from sustainable practices. Think renewables, recycled content, fair trade. Try making your own gifts, like candles, soaps, treats, clothing, or jewelry. Websites like Pinterest have many fun ideas. You could even opt to give gifts of your time; instead of purchasing more stuff, treat your loved ones to a happy feeling. Spend time together with a sporting event, trip, or babysitting coupons.
Wrapping: While an iconic holiday activity is wrapping presents, we don’t want all that paper ending up in a landfill. This year, be trendy and opt for easily recyclable materials such as brown paper, newspaper, and reusable bags or boxes. Deck the halls (and your gifts) with boughs of holly. Or, if you must buy some Rudolph-printed paper, look for recyclable wrapping paper, which is increasingly available.
Clean-Up: Make sure materials like plastic and cardboard get into the recycling bin. And with an influx of new items, now is a great time to go through old clothes and household items and donate them to a local collection center.
Small changes to your holiday routine can have a big effect. Once you see how easy these are, you can make them your New Year’s Resolution and have a Green 2018!
■ Marissa Ruehl is a 2017-2018 student intern with the Hope College Sustainability Green Team.  She is majoring in Spanish with minors in mathematics and political science.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Environmental Awareness/Action: Environmental education and integrating environmental practices into our city planning will change negative outcomes of the past and improve our future state.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

HHCSI is partnering with Local First in the first annual “2018 Lakeshore Awards.”

The Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute is partnering with Local First in the first annual “2018 Lakeshore Awards.”

 

The Local First LocalMotion Awards began in 2011 as a way to promote best business practices and recognize the achievements of local businesses and individuals. It continues to be a way to showcase entrepreneurs who are using their business as a force for good. This means doing outstanding work in sustainability, helping make our community more vibrant and resilient, and strengthening our local economy.

In 2018, we will honor Lakeshore business owners at the First Lakeshore Annual Meeting in February (stay tuned for more details on the event).

NOMINATION FORM

Any local business in West Michigan that fits the LocalFirst membership criteria is eligible (but they do not have to be a member of Local First). Recipients are selected based on the results of their Quick Impact Assessment (QIA). All nominees will be asked to fill out the QIA, which measures business practices from the triple bottom line such as environmental impact, charitable gifts, and employee satisfaction.

Good for Environment: businesses are nominated for having outstanding practices or policies that show stewardship of the environment
Good for Community: businesses are nominated for giving back to the community
Good for Employees: businesses are nominated for going above and beyond to support their employees

To see a listing of previous winners, and visit:  http://www.localfirst.com/good-for-grand-rapids/localmotion-awards

Living Sustainably: Three’s not enough: The eight R’s of recycling

By Ken Freestone, GreenMichigan.org
For those who think recycling is difficult – sorry, but I’m about to take you from the “Three Rs” of recycling to the “Eight Rs.” And for those who actively recycle, you are going to love that we have added  five more Rs.

Americans use about 50 billion plastic water bottles each year, with less than a quarter of those recycled. Water bottles create a huge waste problems around the world.

Earth Day’s beginnings in the early 1970s emphasized the message of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”
We’ve come a long way since those Three Rs. So I’d like to introduce you to Eight Rs, a more in-depth way of looking at how to live more sustainably with more steps to take to preserve and protect our world.
Remember the need: American generate on average 4.4 pounds of trash per person per day, and just 34 percent of that is recycled. Michigan falls behind that, at a 15 percent recycling rate.

So, more tools to fight the battle, the Eight Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Refill, Repair, Regift, Recycle, Repeat.

Recycling is the focus of the next Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore seminar in Holland on Nov. 14. https://hope.edu/offices/sustainability/holland-hope-college-sustainability-institute/events.html

Here’s a quick overview; learn more at the next Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore seminar, 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Herrick District Library.

Refuse and Assess: First, simply ask if you need an item or if you could do without. Second, assess your situation; check to see if there may be a reusable or more durable replacement.
Reduce: Can you use something less often (drive less, wash less, wear more) and can you plan ahead for events or activities and research if there are ways to host your event with less waste? Planning ahead is key.
Reuse: Here is where you think about longevity of items. Can you use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins?  Can you bring a refillable water bottle instead of plastic bottles? How many reusable grocery bags can you keep in your car?  (Hint: I have about 20.)
Refill: There are more opportunities than ever to refill containers with bulk products instead of buying items with new packaging.
Repair: Can you give electronics, appliances, tools, fixtures, and so on another life? Have you seen all of the incredible repair/fix-it videos on YouTube? We also have wonderful repair shops in our area, and additionally social media outlets are great tools for asking how to get something repaired.
Regift: Really, how many wine bags, containers, gift boxes, wrapping paper do we need? Do you have extra toys, appliances, tools, art, plants that you could pass along to brighten other people’s lives?
Recycle: This is one of the last steps; recycle after you have tried the other six. But make it count! Read your recycler’s list of acceptable products and check local resources for recycling opportunities. (Check on GreenMichigan.org, recycle911.org, terracycle.com).
Repeat: Finally – yes, do it all over again!
 Ken Freestone is co-founder of GreenMichigan.org. He has worked on environmental stewardship, trails, greenways and land protection, as well as taught as a master composter, for more than 25 years.

If You Go
What: Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore – A seminar for better recycling
When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
Where: Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave., Holland

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Environmental Awareness/Action: Environmental education and Integrating environmental practices into our city planning will change negative outcomes of the past and improve our future state.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.