East Lansing

On April 17, 2007 the City of East Lansing signed the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Under the agreement, the City will strive to reduce climate change emissions in the East Lansing community through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects and public information campaigns to name a few.

The City of East Lansing has a long history of environmental protection. In 1991, we began collecting recyclable materials from our residents. Today, we collect nearly 4 million pounds of recyclables annually. In the mid nineties, we were one of the first in the area to utilize an alternative fueled vehicle in our fleet. Today, all City diesel fueled vehicles and equipment run on B20 Biodiesel - a clean burning alternative fuel with 20% of it being derived from soybeans. In the late 90's, the City conducted energy audits on our buildings and began implementing energy savings initiatives such as the installation of energy efficient fixtures and bulbs. Just this year, we updated those energy audits and are currently implementing new technologies into our buildings to make them even more efficient.

In the upcoming months, the City will be completing a detailed emissions inventory for the City. From information gleaned from the inventory, we will be developing an action plan which will target areas where both the City and the community can reduce our climate change emissions. We look forward to working on the inventory and action plan and passing on practical solutions for you to use at home or at work.

Although this process will take several months to complete, we are already implementing programs and practices to decrease our global impact. This web page will periodically list those actions that the City is taking and that you, as a community member, can take.

Upcoming Special Events:

Semiannual Regional Book Recycling Collection
Place: Ingham County Road Commission, 5613 S. Aurelius Road, Lansing.
Date/Time: Saturday, September 15, 8 a.m. to noon
Items collected: Hardcover & softcover books, magazines, telephone directories and boxboard.

Semiannual Computer and Electronics Collection
Computer monitors, TV's and other electronic equipment can contain small amounts of heavy metals and it is important that they are properly recycled and disposed of. Place: City of Lansing Recycling Transfer Station, 530 East South Street, Lansing Date/Time: Saturday, September 29, 8 a.m. to noon.
Items collected: Televisions, computers, VCR's, cell phones, stereos and more*.

*Due to the high cost to properly recycle electronics, there will be a fee for items dropped off. A complete list of items accepted and their disposal fees is posted on the Public Works Page of the City's web site. For more information or directions, you may call the City of Lansing at 483-4400.

Change A Light Day
Change A Light Day is a national program sponsored by the US EPA and Department of Energy which promotes the use of ENERGY STAR appliances, fixtures and bulbs to reduce energy use. It is celebrated this year on October 3. The City of East Lansing is celebrating by partnering with Urban Options, the City of Lansing, the MI Public Service Commission and ACE Hardware to promote the use of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL's). Seven local ACE stores will be selling CFL's at a discounted price from October 1 through November, or until supplies last. In addition, Urban Options will be hosting a one-day sale at there office at 405 Grove Street. Call Urban Options for more information at 337-0422.

Interim Climate Change Action Items

The City of East Lansing recently signed the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Under the Agreement, the City will strive to reduce climate change pollutant emissions. To do so, the City is currently working to complete an inventory of our emissions, which will be completed in the next several months. Once the inventory is complete the City will work on an action plan which will reduce emissions in City operations and provide homeowners with practical solutions to curb their emissions at home and at work.

In the interim, City Staff and the Commission on the Environment have developed this brief list of simple actions you can take. This list will be updated periodically to add new ideas and action items, so check back for the latest examples of how you can reduce your global climate change impact.

Use Less Energy - Switch to ENERGY STAR appliances at home. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Switching just one bulb saves about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Join the City, Urban Options and local ACE Hardware stores starting October 1 to celebrate Change A Light Day. Seven local ACE stores (Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Holt, Laingsburg, Lansing (north), Mason and Okemos) will be selling CFL's for $.99 each through November 30 or until supplies last. Urban Options will also host a 1-day sale at 405 Grove Street in East Lansing on October 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees. Every ten degree reduction in temperature results in a savings of 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Recycle! The City has a comprehensive and convenient recycling program. Recycling reduces green house gases associated with the manufacture, distribution, use of products and management of their waste. It is estimated that each East Lansing household that recycles eliminates 1,500 pounds of climate change emissions per year.

Drive a fuel efficient car - one that is rated for at least 32 miles per gallon. Doing this will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5,600 pounds per year.

Drive Less, Drive Smart. Have your car in good working order and keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Drive only when necessary and try to aggregate trips/errands. This will conserve 1,590 pounds of emissions per year.

Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement