Mayor Greg Fischer and the Louisville Metro Office for Sustainability have issued a draft Sustainability Plan for Louisville, which highlights 19 broad goals and 60 initiatives surrounding sustainability. The plan, “Sustain Louisville” is open for public comment through February, and will then be finalized in March. Mayor Fischer is asking citizens to specifically provide feedback on which of the 60 initiatives is most important to them. View the draft plan here.

Some of the 60 initiatives in Sustain Louisville include:

Implementing a Cool Green Roof program;
Research feasibility/install electric vehicle charging network;
Launch food composting pilot;
Launch Google real-time transit program;
Achieve Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community status;
Acquire 4,000 acres of land for parks/open space;
Complete an urban tree canopy analysis and plant 10,000 new trees.

Citizens have until Feb. 28 to read, comment and discuss the draft plan. To comment on the Sustainability Plan:

On Twitter @sustainlou
On the Facebook page Sustain Louisville
Emailed comments to maria.koetter@louisvilleky.gov
A public input forum is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Jefferson Community Technical College Health Sciences Building, 110 W. Chestnut Street
Written comments mailed to: Maria Koetter, Director of Sustainability
Louisville Metro Government, 444 S. 5th Street, Louisville, Ky. 40202

The full report can be downloaded at www.louisvilleky.gov/sustainability, or viewed in hard copy at the circulation desk of the Main Library, 301 York Street.

Update on Battery Recycling

Due to new OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) regulations, Louisville Metro Solid Waste is now only able to accept batteries for recycling at the Haz-Bin drop off site at 7501 Grade Lane. This facility is open on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Batteries are no longer accepted at other staffed recycling drop off centers (including the site on Hubbards Lane). Find a list here of recyclable materials that are still accepted at staffed recycling centers. Some sites around Louisville accept the following types of batteries for recycling:

Lowe's – accepts rechargeable batteries
501 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy, closest location for District 9, 394-9400

Target – accepts rechargeable batteries
4174 Westport Road, closest location for District 9, 992-1039

Batteries Plus – accepts any rechargeable battery

4523a Outer Loop, 969-1555

12899 Shelbyville Rd, 253-0300

1612 Portland Ave, 589-5490

Interstate All State Battery – All Types

1831 Blankenbaker Parkway, 297-8600

CCR Processing Center – charges may apply for certain types

1361 South 15th Street, 637-4551

Vision Louisville Roadshow

The Green Convene, a grassroots organization promoting sustainability, is pleased to host a Road Show presentation and community planning session for the Vision Louisville Initiative. The event will take place Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30pm at the Louisville Free Public Library, 301 York Street. Representatives from Mayor Greg Fischer's staff will provide a brief presentation followed by an open mic session for individuals to share their ideas and vision for Louisville's future. All ideas will be documented and presented to the Mayor's Vision Louisville team for their use in preparing the Vision plan. The focus of this Road Show will be sustainability.

What is YOUR vision for Louisville? What will our city look like in 25 years and how do we encourage sustainability? This is an exciting opportunity for you to provide your input into the most comprehensive visioning process undertaken for Louisville. RSVP for this event by visiting the Green Convene’s Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/324966237609276/ or by emailing the Green Convene at info@greenconvene.org.

Green Spark Awards Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for recipients of Project Warm’s Green Spark Awards through February 15th. The Green Spark Awards recognize individuals and organizations that are making strides in energy conservation and efficiency in the Louisville community. One award will be given for each of the following categories: Individual, education, non-profit/faith organization, business leadership and youth. If you know of someone who you think is a leader for energy conservation in your community and would like to submit their name please visit the nominations webpage here.

The Green Spark Awards will take place at the Seelbach Hotel on April the 10th from 11 am to 1 pm.

Founder’s Garden at Heigold Façade

Botanica is starting a fundraising project for the Founder’s Garden project at the Heigold Facade, at the intersection of Frankfort Avenue and River Road, or “The Doorway to The Avenue.” This is next to the site of the future Waterfront Botanical Gardens. This project will give Botanica a chance to start showcasing their horticultural skills and demonstrate the transforming beauty of gardens. It will exemplify the splendor the future botanical garden will bring, helping to inspire our community as they work to make the larger gardens a reality. Find more information, including a video about the project, and how you can donate on the Botanica website. Please help Botanica move this project forward by telling your friends, neighbors, businesses, and organizations about the project. Together, we can make the entrance to north Frankfort Avenue spectacular!

Sustainability Tip – Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a gas that is created from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Winter is the best time to test your home for radon, as radon levels can rise because windows are kept closed. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “as many as 22,000 people die each year from lung cancer in the US from exposure to indoor radon.” Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and you should test your home for radon to ensure that you are not exposed to high levels. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services offers free radon testing for homes. If you live in Jefferson County, call Clay Hardwick with the Kentucky Radon Program at (502) 564-4856 or email clay.hardwick@ky.gov. Find more information. If you find that the radon level in your home is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher steps such as installing a ventilation system should be taken to reduce these levels. Find out more information by reading the EPA’s “Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon."