Columbus Litter League- the greatest litter competition ever

Batters up! Columbus Litter League is back. Opening Day for season two was June 1, but volunteers can still join the lineup to help strike out litter in neighborhoods throughout the city. Create or join a team to compete in one of four divisions: corporation/business, nonprofit/faith-based, community groups, and individuals. With up to 20 players per team, you can decide where you want to clean up. Don’t have a location in mind? The team here at Keep Columbus Beautiful can assist you in finding one. Get registered here  today and let's play ball!

CoGo Bikeshare membership discount

In partnership with Lyft and the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department, CoGo Bikeshare is excited to provide Columbus GreenSpot members with a FREE CoGo annual membership (an $85 value).
Annual memberships include:
● FREE unlocks all year long
● Unlimited 45 minute trips on classic bikes
● Per minute discounts on ebike rides
● Learn more here https://account.cogobikeshare.com/access-plans

To get your free membership email GreenSpot@columbus.gov with “Ride CoGo” in the subject line and we will send you your unique code along with redemption instructions. There are limited amount of free memberships so email sooner rather than later!

Heat map volunteers needed

Columbus and Franklin County are seeking volunteers to help collect environmental data about the hottest and coolest places in our region during an upcoming heat wave this summer. Data collected by volunteers during the joint one-day heat mapping campaign will be used to develop temperature and heat index maps for Columbus and parts of Franklin County. (see Seattle example) Additionally it will help address heat-related vulnerabilities across the region.

In short, volunteers will drive along a predetermined route over three separate one-hour periods during a hot day collecting data from equipment that will be provided. We need three people per route—a driver, navigator, and backup.
Drivers will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle. In addition to the three hours of data collection, volunteers will first be asked to attend a one-hour Volunteer Training Session (July 21st), complete a short knowledge quiz, and sign a liability waiver.

The date of the heat mapping will be sometime between August 5th and 17th. We will know a few days before the mapping will occur and will notify volunteers.

If you are interested in participating in this opportunity, or would like to learn more, please respond to this Volunteer Intake Form  or email David R. Celebrezze at drcelebrezze@columbus.gov.

Member benefit: Landfill tour; transfer station tour

Part of being a GreenSpot member is getting the opportunity to go on exclusive tours. Members have had the opportunity to tour Com-Til, a recycling facility, high quality wetlands, and more. The following tours are coming up:

1. In-person landfill tour. Where does the trash end up? How many tons are thrown into the landfill that could have been recycled, composted, or donated? Where does Oscar live? These burning questions will be answered along with others on an in-person tour of the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill. Special guest Amy Densborn with SWACO will share her expertise as we climb up (in a bus) "Mount Trashmore." Space limited to 20 participants.
   When: Monday, July 18th
   Time: 3pm-4:30pm
   Register: email GreenSpot@columbus.gov with “landfill” in the subject line.
2. Columbus Transfer Station. Ever wonder what happens to the trash when the waste truck picks it up? It goes to a waste transfer station first then to the landfill. See first-hand how a transfer station works and why it is a critical component that underpins our society.                             When: Friday, July 29th 11a.m. to noon                                                Register: email GreenSpot@columbus.gov with “transfer” in the subject     line.

GreenSpot Community Backyard rebates

Looking for a rain barrel, native tree, native plant or compost bin? GreenSpot Community Backyards has you covered! Columbus GreenSpot, Public Utilities, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, and SWACO have teamed up to offer up to a $50 rebate on native trees or rain barrel; $25 rebate on native plants; and a $100 composter for only $30 for eligible households. Rebates are very limited, so take an online quiz and secure your rebate. Be the solution to stormwater pollution.

EMPOWERED! young adult jobs program

Launched by Mayor Ginther, the goal of EMPOWERED! is to provide pathways to good paying careers that lead to upward mobility in the construction and clean energy sector for Columbus youth ages 18-24. Contact Katie Delvin at IMPACT at empowered@impactca.org or potential participants can use the QR code to fill out an interest form.

SWACO Waste Reduction Grant program

SWACO is now accepting grant applications for the 2023 Community Waste Reduction Grant program. The Community Waste Reduction Grant (CWRG) program is a competitive program that is open to all governmental entities such as parks, cities, townships and villages, schools, other public sectors, and non-profit organizations. Proposed projects and programs should address the unique waste reduction, diversion, and recycling needs of central Ohio; emphasize partnership building and collaboration; and address opportunities to leverage the waste stream for community benefit. Eligible applicants must be located within SWACO's jurisdiction. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email the Grants Administrator to discuss ideas before drafting an application. The deadline to apply is August 5, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. To learn more and download the application, please visit SWACO's Community Waste Reduction Grant webpage.

Member survey-we want your thoughts!

We want to know how your sustainability journey is going and how we can help. Please take this member survey (maybe takes 5 minutes) and be entered to win a water saver kit (high efficiency shower head and aerators), GreenSpot metal reusable water bottle, and a $30 gift card to the ReWash Refillery. The drawing will take place Wednesday the 22nd at noon and the winner notified directly. 

Your GreenSpot eDashboard

Each GreenSpot member has access to an electronic dashboard where they can check in on their commitments as well as enter data on other commitments. This is a great way to track success, print out and post for employees and customers to see, and celebrate your accomplishments. To log in, simply go to the MyGreenSpot page. If you need assistance please contact GreenSpot at GreenSpot@columbus.gov.