The City carried out a number of climate actions over the past year to reach their goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Actions include the planting of prairies and native plants on City properties and parks, free or reduced energy efficiency programs for residents, and climate action grants for local businesses and entities.
As a result of these and other efforts in 2020, the City was able to achieve:
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Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2010 levels
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Trees planted to sequester carbon and reduce heat
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Increase in curbside organics recycled from previous year
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Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to purchase and/or lease new electric buses |
For more information on the City's other climate achievements of the past year, see the City's 2020 Annual Update.
Instead of throwing out old winter gear and clothes, donate items to residents in need this holiday season. Drop-off locations, accepted items, and instructions are as follows:
Shelter House
Location: 429 Southgate Ave., Iowa City
Accepted Items: Winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and seasonal clothing for adults and children
Instructions: Call (319) 351-0326 to schedule a drop-off time or contact Jake Masters at jake.masters@shelterhouseiowa.com to schedule an at-hope pickup time
Corridor Community Action Network
Location: 870 S. Capitol St., Iowa City
Accepted Items: Winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens, snow boots, and seasonal clothing for adults and children; blankets
Instructions: Ship items or email director@corridorcan.com to make pickup/drop-off arrangements
Yes! But not in your ordinary recycling bin.
Holiday lights can get tangled in recycling machinery and cause hazards for workers when mixed with other materials.
Iowa City has you covered, though. Special collection sites are set up at the following locations, where lights can be recycled through Jan. 10:
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East Side Recycling Center via Restore Donations (2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City)
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Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center (3900 Hebl Ave. SW, Iowa City)
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Coralville Hy-Vee #1 (1914 8th St, Coralville)
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Stuff, Etc. (2818 Commerce Dr., Coralville)
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Coralville City Hall (1512 7th St., Coralville)
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Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th St., Coralville)
There's no better way to welcome the holiday season and the longer nights of winter than with twinkling, holiday lights in or outside the home, but not all holiday lights shine the same.
LED holiday lights save money, reduce waste, and are safer than incandescent strands.
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LEDs use 80% less energy, costing pennies to operate instead of dollars
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LEDs last up to 25 times longer and don't need to be replaced as often
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LEDs reduce risk of fires by remaining cool to the touch, allowing users to string many strands together without overloading a circuit |
Want to keep those savings shining bright all year long? When you pack away the holiday lights for the season, consider upgrading household lights to LEDs.
Replacing the most frequently used five lights in your home with LEDs can reduce up to 8% on your annual home energy bill.
For more information on the benefits of LED holiday lights, visit the Department of Energy's holiday lights webpage.
This year's winter break will look a little different, which is why Parks & Recreation and Green Iowa AmeriCorps members are teaming up to bring kids a free and virtual Winter Break Camp Dec. 28 to Jan. 1. Each lesson will go live at 2 p.m. and feature a new topic related to the climate and environment.
To register for any of the camp's sessions, visit the Winter Break Camp Registration page.
Sessions:
Monday, Dec. 28 | Earth - a celebration of soil
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | Wind - bird & monarch migrations
Wednesday, Dec. 30 | Fire - a tool for ecosystems
Thursday, Dec. 31 | Water - ocean in a bottle activity
Friday, Jan. 1 | Climate Change - drivers & impacts
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