 Louisville officially kicked off Plastic Free July, with Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (OS) leading a city-wide challenge to reduce single-use plastics and embrace sustainable alternatives.
As part of a global movement spanning over 190 countries, Louisville is aligning local action with international momentum to protect ecosystems and promote healthier communities.
Throughout July, the Office of Sustainability will share tips, spotlight local champions of plastic reduction, and host events like the July 24 documentary screening of We're All Plastic People Now at Trellis Brewing (827 Logan Street) with partners Beyond Plastics Louisville and the Louisville Water Company. Trellis has pledged $1 of every beverage spent this evening to benefit the Kentucky Waterways Alliance!
Residents and businesses are encouraged to get involved by sharing reusable swaps, learning about plastic pollution, and supporting sustainable practices for a cleaner, greener Louisville.
Send us a selfie with your favorite sustainable swap and follow/tag @SustainLouisville for a chance to win sustainable swag!
Read the full press release here.
Join us for a Plastic Free July movie night at Trellis Brewing!
By Mia Treinen, Intern at the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability
In just a few brief weeks as a student intern with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, I’ve had the chance to see firsthand just how powerful community-driven change can be. I’ve been deeply impacted by the way people across Louisville are coming together to build solutions that uplift our city—the place that ties us together and shapes our collective future.
At the Office of Sustainability, one of our core beliefs is to build resilience in this community to help face the challenges of today and prepare for what’s ahead. As a young person, I can attest to how deeply this work resonates with my generation, and our eagerness to be a part of the solution.
That’s why initiatives like Plastic Free July help call upon our collective responsibility and are critical to focusing on our collective efforts.
In Louisville, and globally, plastic waste respects no boundaries. Whether it’s litter in a favorite park or along a nearby waterway, or the urgent crisis of microplastics now found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. It’s nearly impossible to escape the impact of the large-scale plastic consumption of our modern day. As with most environmental problems, it can feel overwhelming to tackle these issues as an individual.
Fortunately, in reducing waste, we have strength in numbers. When I often find myself overwhelmed by daunting issues such as this one, I continue to find consolation in community. Community efforts across the city are helping chip away at plastic waste reduction—and you matter in this endeavor.
So, what can you do? Support local, conscious businesses that prioritize sustainability. Seek out reusable product alternatives, whether it's reusable grocery sacks or glass to-go containers. Talk about it—spark conversations around plastic waste in your neighborhood or community group. Make sure to reduce your consumption first, then reuse, and recycle. (As a reminder, many plastic items like Styrofoam and plastic bags cannot ever be recycled). Finally, fight for an equitable, plastic-free future, as sustainable options cannot only be for those who can afford to make the switch. Everyone belongs in this journey.
Right now, the cost of inaction is too high. Acting mindfully this Plastic Free July allows us to take pride in the fate of our city, and the fate of our environment. As we drive this endeavor forward, consider your impact as an individual. Help us take this step towards a greener city and towards a future we’re proud to pass on. If there’s a community that I believe can lead this effort, it’s Louisville.
Solarize Louisville is open for the 2025 season!
In June, OS was joined by both 2025 Solarize Louisville installers, Daily Green Power and Pure Power Solar, for in-person “Solar 101” workshops at both the Crescent Hill and Northeast Regional Libraries. The workshops broke down the solar installation process, addressed resident questions, and detailed why solar is a strong investment, especially while federal tax credits are available.
To those interested in attending future workshops, please keep an eye out for scheduled opportunities through OS social media channels. We also recorded a virtual workshop in April that can be accessed on our webpage.
To better understand your home’s potential for solar, you can get a free, no-pressure quote from one of our vetted installers today at SolarizeLouisville.com.
Louisville Metro has partnered with Energize Kentucky to expand the EPAD program.
On June 3, OS, in partnership with Energize Kentucky, hosted a free workshop detailing Louisville’s Energy Project Assessment District (EPAD) program, a commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing tool, which provides low-cost, long-term financing options for both new construction and existing commercial building that improves the energy efficiency, water efficiency, or renewable performance of projects.
To review the presentation from the meeting, you can access the sides here.
If you would like to discuss the program with an OS team member, please reach out to Jake Medley directly at jacob.medley@louisvilleky.gov.
The Office of Sustainability provides incentives to property owners of $1 per square foot of cool roof installed.
OS offers the Louisville Metro Government’s Cool Roof Incentive Program, a rebate program for residents and businesses in Metro Louisville purchasing cool roof products. The incentive provides a $1/SF rebate for cool roof installed, up to $2,000.00 for residential properties and $5,000 for flat-roof commercial properties (Steep-sloped commercial roofs can claim up to $10,000 in Cool Roof Incentives).
Effective May 1, 2025, please note the following programmatic changes to the Cool Roof Incentive:
- Buildings zoned commercial for short-term rental or other residential use, despite their zoning category, will be considered residential buildings when submitted for Cool Roof Incentive consideration, and therefore an incentive cap of $2,000.
Solar Reflectivity Requirements
- Steep Slope roofs must have an initial solar reflectance of >=0.24.
Cool Roof Rating Council
- Not all materials listed on the CRRC website have the solar reflectance we require for this incentive, so please confirm that it meets the program thresholds.
Louisville Green Bank preliminary strategic workshop in May
Louisville Metro Government, through the OS, is exploring the development of a Louisville Green Bank. Green banks utilize innovative financing strategies that leverage public, private, and philanthropic capital and provide sustained funding to scale sustainability solutions. This important effort will better position Metro to meet its established goals of 100% clean energy and net zero greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 2040 and create a more safe, healthy, and prosperous community for all. Following a competitive Request for Proposals process, Louisville Metro Government has selected nationally recognized consultants, Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and Public Sector Consultants (PSC), to assist in the development of a Louisville Green Bank.
This month, OS hosted two virtual public meetings to seek community input as we explore the creation of a Louisville Green Bank. Please find a meeting recording in English below and stay up to date on the Louisville Green Bank webpage for a Spanish translation of the recording:
Our team, including our student intern and colleagues at Energy Management, got out of the office to tour the Louisville Water Company’s water tower and museum to learn more about how we can collaborate and support our local water.
Student Intern, Mia Treinen, is assisting the Office of Sustainability with data visualization for incentive programs, strengthening partnerships with the youth community, and enhancing community outreach efforts. During her time with OS, she has actively engaged with local leaders and contributed ideas for advancing community-oriented sustainability solutions.
The OS is also excited to welcome an Academic Intern for the Fall and Spring semesters! An Academic Internship is an unpaid internship opportunity for students enrolled in a college or university who are receiving college credit for their internship. This opportunity is open to both Undergraduate and Graduate students. We encourage you to contact your university or other outside organizations to see if they can provide alternative funding sources to be compensated for your internship with us. The duration of and weekly commitment (in hours) to the internship is determined by your academic institution's requirements. We are seeking self-motivated individuals with an interest in Sustainability, Environmental Science, or related fields. All are welcome to apply, not restricted by major or minor. Must be 18+ and willing to submit a background check.
If you are interested, please send a resume and detailed cover letter to sustainability@louisvilleky.gov or contact us for more information. Use subject line: [First and Last name] Student Internship Inquiry [Fall or Spring] [year].
We are accepting inquiries on a rolling basis for ongoing internships for fall and spring semesters.
Bird watchers and enthusiasts joined the OS and partners for a Pride Month hike!
OS' resident naturalist and Sustainability Specialist, Maria Tori, joined the Louisville Audubon Society (LAS) and the Louisville Nature Center (LNC) to collaborate on LAS’s Let’s Go Birding Together Pride Event. Around 30 attendees joined the hike and presentation!
Happy Pride! We support you and so do the great outdoors 🏳️🌈
- The annual Alberta O. Jones Park Day on Saturday, July 12 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. will be a free community day of almost 40 tabling partners, four food vendors, music, entertainment, giveaways, and more!
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CycLOUvia returns to Frankfort Ave on Sunday, July 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The route will go from Stilz Ave. to Pope St. CycLOUvia is your opportunity to experience Louisville as you never have before, by walking, cycling, skateboarding, or dancing in the street. Streets account for a massive amount of public land in all cities. CycLOUvia repurposes these public spaces by temporarily replacing traditional vehicular traffic with pedestrian traffic.
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On July 24 at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall, OS is presenting to the Louisville Metro Council Parks and Sustainability Committee about potential pathways to achieving Louisville’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2030.
- Join OS and partners for a screening of the Emmy Winning documentary, We’re All Plastic People Now on Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Trellis Brewing. Trellis has generously pledged one dollar for every beverage purchased that evening to benefit the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, an organization committed to protecting, restoring, and celebrating Kentucky's Waterways!
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Senior Sustainability Specialist, GE Appliances (Full-Time)
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Tax Senior - Sustainability - Renewable Energy, Deloitte (Full-Time)
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Director, Renewable Energy Investments, Schneider Electric (Full-Time)
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Client Development Manager - Industrial Manufacturing, Schneider Electric (Full-Time)
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Client Associate, Schneider Electric, (Full-Time)
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Energy Efficiency Program Manager, PPL (Full-Time)
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Executive Director, Passionist Earth & Spirit Center (Full-Time)
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Graphic Designer, Bernheim Forest & Arboretum (Part-Time)
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Special Events Coordinator, Waterfront Botanical Gardens (Part-Time)
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Here’s what’s in the big bill that just passed the Senate, PBS News, July 1
- Louisville launches Plastic Free July 2025 for city-wide sustainability goals, Lane Report, July 1
- Sustainability efforts happening in Louisville, Spectrum, July 1
- Louisville launches 'Plastic Free July' initiative, WHAS11, July 1
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Experts explain why more tornadoes are happening in Kentucky, WHAS11, May 28
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Louisville Residents Can Get Cash Back For Ditching Gas Lawn Tools In Louisville—Here’s How, LEO Weekly, June 23
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EPA moves to repeal power plant regulations. What does that mean for Kentucky?, Courier Journal, June 13
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The Wrestler vs. the Utility, Inside Climate News, June 15
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The important role of state policy in cutting carbon emissions, PV Magazine, June 12
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