The City’s focus on green building includes construction of its new firehouse, new demonstration homes which incorporate green building techniques, and a Citywide rebate program to encourage energy efficient home improvements, as well as the following:

• Redevelopment of Shaker Towne Centre with attractive, walkable streets
• Energy reduction projects incorporated into Thornton Park operations
• Interior lighting fixtures in City buildings converted to energy efficient fluorescents
• Approximately 3,000 tons of recyclable material collected last year
• Landscaping
• • Reduced use of herbicide lawn application
  • Incorporation of native plant material, requiring less water and care
  • Mulching grass clippings to limit use of landfills and to fertilize lawns
• Use of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, whenever possible
• Working with residents to identify opportunities to expand and improve green space, known as the Greenspace Initiative.
• Historic preservation
• Transit friendly environment
• Streetscape redesigns with better water drainage and recapture of rainwater for trees.

The City sees the following benefits as a result of this focus:

• Good Fiscal Management – relatively small initial investments leverage annual energy and other savings, freeing up funds for other services.
• Quality of Life – high quality, healthy living and working environments are known to improve performance and reduce illness.
• Economic Development Potential – business opportunities in environmentally friendly communities exist for green product entrepreneurs and for new homebuyers. 
• Environmental Stewardship - green practices minimize local ecological degradation.

Learn more about Green Building in the greater Cleveland area!