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City-wide curbside trash and recycling update
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Carmel designated a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community
On Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 3:30 p.m., join Mayor Jim Brainard, Ron Carter and other city officials and trial dedication participants in celebration to dedicate the new trail located just north of 136th Street off of the Monon Greenway...
Carmel Mayor Endorses Earth Hour
March 27, 2010 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Millions of people around the world will come together by doing something quite simple – turning off non-essential lights and electrical equipment for one hour. The event symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in addressing climate change and protecting our future. Carmel is deeply concerned about energy efficiency, natural resource conservation, and sustainability. The Mayor invites Carmel citizens, businesses and schools to join in the observation of Earth Hour on March 27th. View City of Carmel Proclamation . You can sign up here.
Carmel recognized for fertilizer production
The wastewater treatment process turns biosolids into an easy-to-handle fertilizer which can safely be used as a soil conditioner. Read more...
Carmel gets green light to power down
The City of Carmel was awarded $633,000 under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant . The city will use these funds to switch about half of the city’s lights to LEDs. Estimated savings will be $70,000 a year in electricity costs and roughly 1.4 million lbs of CO2 every year. Kudos to Mayor Brainard for this green initiative!
List of Green Initiatives in other cities.
List of City's green initiatives.
List of City's environmental awards and recognition.
CARMEL'S GREEN INITIATIVES
The City of Carmel has implemented many different projects in an attempt to save taxpayer dollars and reduce its impact on the environment. Below is a brief list of these efforts.
- Hybrid/Bio-Fuel City Vehicles
- No Idle Policy for City Vehicles
- Installation of about 50 Roundabouts
- Commuter Bus Service to Downtown Indianapolis
- City Bicycles for Employees to Use
- Bike Path and Sidewalk Installation throughout the City
- Recycling in City Hall
- City Recycling Facilities
- Purchase of Environmentally Preferred Products
- Carmel Arbor Day Celebration
- Street Tree Planting
- Backyard Conservation Program
- Mixed Use/Compact Developments
- Stormwater Management Regulations
- Methane Gas Recovery for Heat at the Waste Water Treatment Facility
- Production of Class A Biosolids
- Chamber of Commerce Green Award for Local Businesses
- Farmer's Market
- Wind Power Study
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
The City of Carmel has received many awards and much recognition for its efforts in improving the environment. Below is a list and a brief description of these honors.
- November 14, 2009 - The Hoosier Environmental Council recognized Mayor Jim Brainard for his environmental leadership. Read more at Indy Biz.
- October 7, 2009 - Mayor Jim Brainard is one of 16 mayors who were selected to be profiled by the USCM in a report on mayoral leadership, The Power of 86 Million Americans: 1,000 Mayors Committed to Climate Action. This report highlights specific actions mayors are taking around the country to meet the goals of the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Brainard was highlighted among mayors from other cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Miami. Read more at Indy Biz
- Outstanding Laboratory Award from the Indiana Water Environment Association - The Outstanding Laboratory Award is awarded for outstanding achievement in the implementation of laboratory technique and administration. Candidates for the award are determined by the IWEA Laboratory Committee and are based upon a graded evaluation of the laboratory on set criteria. The city of Carmel has received this award 8 years in a row.
- IACT Green Community Designation - The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) launched the Green Community Initiative to identify potential cost savings to communities facing budget shortfalls, promote economically competitive quality of life concepts and serve as role models as the country attempts to wean itself from foreign oil while better protecting the environment.
- Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in Pollution Prevention - This award recognizes Indiana's leaders who have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes. Carmel received this award for choosing an alternative wastewater disinfection process when it was time to upgrade the system. Instead of doubling the size of its chlorine tank, city officials chose a method involving ultraviolet light. The light kills bacteria in wastewater effluence before being discharged into the White River. The new method eliminates the use of potentially toxic chlorine and sulfur dioxide and has no detrimental environmental effects.
- 2008 Excellence for Community Trees Award Runner -Up - Carmel was named national runner-up in the Small City Category for its Urban Forestry Programs. The award, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Home Depot Foundation, honors mayors and their partnerships with nonprofits to enhance and strengthen communities through the use of trees. Carmel partnered with Citizens for Greenspace and as part of the award a grant in the amount of $25,000 was given to Citizens for Greenspace. The funds will be used to plant more street trees.
- 2008 Mayors' Climate Protection Award - Mayor James Brainard was honored with this award for his innovative practice of installing roundabouts, which have not only have safety, cost, and traffic flow benefits, but also environmental benefits. This award is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, to recognize and honor mayors for their outstanding practices to increase energy efficiency in their cities and to help curb global warming.
- Bicycle-Friendly Community (Bronze Level) - The Bicycle Friendly Communities Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling, provide safe accommodations for cycling, and encourage its residents to bike for transportation and recreation.
- Tree City USA® - The Tree City USA® program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The program provides directions, assistance, attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs.
- Tree City USA Growth Award - This award recognizes environmental improvements and encourages higher levels of tree care. It is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Carmel has received this award 12 years in a row.
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