Wed 1/27 @2 4:30PM
Sustainable Cleveland 2019 came to an end last year, after a decade of programming and initiatives around making the city more environmentally friendly.
But the work hasn’t ended. The city has just announced a 30-month program in partnership with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress called Circular Cleveland. The program is intended to develop strategies to keep waste and pollution out of the economic system — and out of landfills — by keeping materials such as plastics, paper and textiles and products made from these materials in use as long as possible
“In order to become a great city, we have to make substantive institutional changes,” says Mayor Frank G. Jackson in a press release. “Our Circular Cleveland initiative does this by building on our City’s long-term commitment to sustainability and using a new approach to improve health outcomes in our neighborhoods and build wealth for our residents.”
The first, yearlong phase of the project will feature community input workshops, Cleveland Climate Action Fund grants for circular economy projects, and the launch of a composting program at the West Side Market. The second phase will include more education and engagement initiative, incentives for small businesses engaging the circular economy, and programs that advance equitability in the circular economy.
“Circular Cleveland is an opportunity for us to develop a comprehensive plan for how we transition to a more sustainable economy in Cleveland,” says Cleveland Chief of Sustainability Jason Wood in the press release. “It’s particularly exciting because it’s more than just a plan – it includes funding for real projects we can use to make our neighborhoods healthier and more resilient.”
Cleveland joins several other North American cities, including Charlotte, Toronto, Phoenix, Austin and New York City in adopting the circular economy program. The city already has numerous small businesses engaging in circular economy practices, including Rust Belt Riders, Rid-All Green Partnership, Upcycle Parts Shop, Great Lakes Brewing Company and Rebuilders Xchange.
Learn more at a free, online community meeting taking place Wednesday January 20 @ 4:30pm. Sign up here. Get more information about the Circular Economy program here.
One Response to “Cleveland Launches “Circular Economy” Initiative: Recycling on Steroids”
RecyclerInLimbo
How can we create a circular economy when there is no residential recycling program citywide? How can this continue to go ignored and unaccounted for?