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Did you notice the different method used to resurface Central City Parkway? The pavement was ground-up, heated and re-applied. No old asphalt was taken to a landfill. It also allowed the City to save money and re-surface more roads.
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Six police cars that were purchased in 2009 were flex fuel vehicles. The 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors have the ability to run on ethanol E85 fuel.
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The 2009 Westland calendar that was mailed to every residence in the City listed useful energy-saving tips.
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Mayor Wild implemented a new green purchasing program for all City Departments. Working with Office Depot, an analysis was undertaken to evaluate the possibility of providing green alternatives for the majority of office products purchased by City departments. The analysis showed that buying green would actually generate a savings for the City. Through this program, when purchasing office supplies, green alternative products that are beneficial to the City will be replaced automatically through the ordering process. We will continue to analyze future purchases to take advantage to green alternative purchasing opportunities.
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For the past 5 years, all submissions for City Council must be in digital format. Previously, all departments had to submit multiple paper copies of documents to Council members
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Hazardous Waste Collection Days -- Various Collection Day are held thorughout the year at different locations. All Wayne County residents are welcome. Westland will be hosting a Collection Day later in this year.
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In the past Mayor Wild instituted office recycling in all City buildings. Paper, cardboard, batteries, and printer cartridges were recycled. Recently the internal recycling program has shifted to the use of the same single-stream recycling bins and program utilized by the residential homes in Westland.
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Mission Green members are being kept informed by an
e-Newsletter. Not only does this save paper, it also saves printing and mailing costs.
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Blighted, vacant homes are being demolished with the assistance of federal programs. We will encourage salvaging of reusable materials. The lots will be used to create green space or energy-saving new homes.
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The City also has a rehabilitation program and Energy Star rated appliances are required.
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In June of every year, the City of Westland participates in the Rouge River Clean-up.
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A recycling center is open at the Department of Public Service which is located at 37137 Marquette. A
listing of items accepted is available.
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The first bio-swale was approved for the Westland Retail Center at 35253 Warren and more bio-swales have been constructed as part of developments in Westland, like Sonic. A bio-swale helps keep rain runoff from entering the storm water system and therefore, the Rouge River.
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Mayor Wild has instituted a "No Idling Policy". No City vehicles are to be left running.
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The City of Westland and Wayne County have eliminated all septic tanks. The septic runoff was eliminated thereby stopping any of this pollution from reaching the Rouge River.
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The City of Westland has received an energy audit from the State of Michigan for ten City buildings through the Rebuild Michigan Program. This audit made the City "shovel ready" to accept $750,000 worth of Energy Block Grant dollars which will be used to update climate control systems at the Mike Modano Ice Areana, The Bailey Recreation Center and the City of Westland Police Department.
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A Planned Unit Development ordinance was developed. This allows the Planning Department to approve developments with clustered residential units to help save natural features.
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The William P. Faust Public Library of Westland has developed a "green" page on their site.
Check it out!
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A section of the Zoning Ordinance has been developed to regulate light pollution. Any lighting on a newly developed or redeveloped site must not exceed one foot-candle at the property line.
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A meeting was held to educate residents in developments with retention/detention ponds. A
guidebook from Wayne County was distributed at the meeting.
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A tree ordinance was developed. During development or redevelopment, trees over 6" in diameter are regulated. Trees that size or larger cannot be removed without replacements on the site, payment made to the Tree Fund or both.
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The City of Westland was the 1st city in the state of Michigan to receive a general permit to regulate storm water within the City. Saving the Rouge River is a priority of the City Administration and it has been for several years. Efforts to save the Rouge River are starting to show results. A salmon was spotted recently in the City of Wayne.
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For the last two years, the City Administration has conducted a Norwayne Clean-up Program. City personnel and volunteers removed junk and debris from the area. Last year, the clean-up removed 115 tons of debris. This helps remove debris and contaminants from the Rouge River.
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Westland had developed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative (SWPPI). The plan provides for the City to street sweep each street 2 to 3 times per year, do catch basin repairs, and pick up leaves. This helps prevent the City's storm drains from flooding and from washing contaminants into the Rouge River.
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City Council recently approved funding for an engineering study for the Ecorse Creek. By eliminating flooding, it would prevent silt and contaminants from entering the Rouge watershed.
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The Relay for Life event in 2009 was a "green" event. Recycling bins were available in the park and the work of Mission: green was highlighted. Plant the seed for hope. The hope that one day cancer will be eliminated.
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The City of Westland is a member of the Rouge River watershed council. One of its duties is to educate residents on the importance of the River. Programs have been held in Wayne-Westland Community Schools.
- A section of the Zoning Ordinance has been developed to regulate solar panels within the City of Westland. Can't be a green City unless we allow alternative forms of energy within our borders. A wind-turbine ordinance has also recently been added to promote the use of alternative energy sources in Westland.
- The City has initiated a Christmas Tree recycling program in 2010 to ensure that your live Christmas trres are recycled and the material is put to good use. Chipped trees are to be used for the Westand DTE Community Garden.
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Unplug your "vampires". Unplugging your chargers (cell phone, iPd, etc.), TVs, VCRs, and stereos. They still draw power even if they are turned off.
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Change your thermostat. Dial down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer. You can save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
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Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. According to ABC News, if you replaced just 3 bulbs, you could save $60 per year.
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Weatherize you home. For the cost of caulking and some weather-stripping and a few hours of your time, you could realize some energy savings.
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Buy local produce. According to a 2001 U. S. Department of Agriculture study, fruits and vegetables are transported an average of 1,500 miles from the field to your table.
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Carpool or buy a hybrid car. According to stopglobalwarming.org, a hybrid car could save you up to $3,750.
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Try public transportation. SMART services have fixed routes and connectors. Using public transportation saves money on fuel costs, parking and insurance.
Mission Green
