City of Grand Rapids Boosts Environmental, Economic, and Equitable Practices to Highlight Triple Bottom Line

A longtime sustainability leader among the nation’s larger cities, the City of Grand Rapids’ sustainability policies include a robust single-stream recycling program, now enhanced by its new “Feet on the Street” program that reduces contaminating refuse being thrown into recycling bins. The hundreds of new street trees planted have not only increased tree canopy and addressed urban hotspots, but also help mitigate stormwater. And unlike most cities, sewage and stormwater systems have been separated so sewage no longer overflows into the Grand River after heavy rains. The City aims to power all of its buildings with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and is exploring how to install solar at a handful of locations, including the Butterworth Landfill. Grand Rapids is also a social justice leader with a dedicated Office of Equity and Engagement committed to eliminating discrimination and fostering a vibrant community.

Adopted in April 2019, the City’s first formal Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020 – 2023 includes six core values, including both sustainability and equity. The City’s sustainability value is described as the “ability to be maintained; making decisions with an understanding of how those decisions will impact the environment, people and communities, and finances, both today and in the future.”

The City defines equity as “leveraging City influence to intentionally remove and prevent barriers created by systemic and institutional injustice.” An additional Equity Statement explains the Grand Rapid is dedicated to “advancing equitable outcomes and opportunities by leading with racial equity to address root causes of disparities.” Of the plans six strategic priorities, embedding equity throughout government operations was intentionally created as the first objective under Governmental Excellence.

Another priority, Health and Environment focuses on carbon reductions and climate resilience, green spaces, water resources, waste reduction and diversion, and reducing health disparities. The City Manager’s budget directly aligns to the Strategic Plan. And the City continuously monitors its performance and reports it to the Commission and public on a biannual basis.

Solar panels installed on the roof of St. James Apartments & Townhomes, a low-income housing development on Grand Rapids’ Northwest Side. (Photo courtesy of Colliers International/Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation)

Over the past year and a half, the following milestones demonstrate the City of Grand Rapids’ commitment to equity and sustainability:

• Community Collaboration on Climate Change.
• The Zero Cities Project partnership with the Urban Core Collective that engaged residents from our Neighborhoods of Focus on residential improvement opportunities.
• A commitment to and work on the Equitable Grand River Restoration initiative.
• Inclusion of environmental sustainability and social equity policies for the cannabis industry.
• Achievement of SolSmart Silver certification for being a solar friendly community.
• Reducing carbon emissions by 29% for municipal operations when comparing 2019 to 2008 and procuring 37% renewable electricity.
• Recognition as the #1 Sustainable Development Metro Area in the U.S. by Site Selection Magazine
• City’s Sustainability and Performance Management Officer appointed to Governor’s newly created Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.
• Continued exploration of micro-mobility solutions that reduce air pollution and carbon emissions (EV autonomous vehicle shuttle, electric bike and scooter pilot).
• Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit’s focus on growing justice and community by reclaiming and sharing personal stories around the environment and environmental justice.
• Passage of the parks millage and continued investment in making our parks more accessible and featuring environmentally friendly features.
• Successfully receiving a permit to convert our yard waste collection site to a compost facility.
• Adopting a Human Rights Ordinance.
• Adopting a Green Infrastructure Portfolio Standard.
• Adopting an Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Plan.