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April 9, 2009: The City of Valparaiso now has its CLEAN (Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network) Community
Challenge available online. Initiated through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Quality of Life Plan will build a team between government, businesses, and residents to meet future energy goals. These goals
include increasing the city's recycling diversion rate to 70%, planting
environmentally beneficial community landscapes, instituting a recycling
program for fluorescent bulb disposal, and instituting a water conservation
program. CLICK HERE to view / print down the report.
The
city of Valparaiso is committed to reducing energy usage, waste,
and pollution through a variety of efforts, including:
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Aggressive
Recycling efforts, including the co-mingling of recycling materials,
have led to a 49% diversion rate for the city. This means that
the city diverts 49% of its waste from a landfill through recycling.
A waste transfer station, added in 2007, reduces the city's
trips to Kingsbury, Indiana to deliver recyclables. Reducing
these trips reduces the city's energy usage and exhaust emissions. |
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Construction
of roadways that improve the city's efficiency has reduced idling
time, fuel usage, and exhaust emissions. These improvements
have made significant contributions to the city's efficiency. |
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The
roundabout transformed an awkward triangular intersection (at
Sturdy Road, LaPorte Avenue, and Lincolnway) into a safe and
efficient circle. |
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Vale
Park Way has added a new beautifully efficient connection between
the east and west sides of town, improving traffic, safety,
and efficiency for thousands of trips each day. |
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Installation
of LED (Light Emitting Diode) signals in new projects. LED signals
improve energy efficiency by using less energy (1/10 the energy
of traditional signals), lasting longer (10 times longer), and
providing battery back up in times of power failure (no need
to dispatch manpower or temporarily revert to a 4-way stop). |
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The
use of "smart" signals downtown which add to traffic
efficiency, reducing fuel usage and emissions. |
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Transit
solutions, including V-Line city buses and the commuter bus
to Chicago, reducing the number of vehicles and their associated
fuel usage and exhaust emissions |
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Construction
of miles of new pathways, encouraging pedestrian/pedaling traffic
as an alternative to automobiles. |
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The
use of bio-diesel in the city's fleet of trucks and equipment.
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from
domestic, renewable resources, such as vegetable oils, recycled
cooking greases/oils, or animal fats. The city's fleet uses
a blend of 20% biodiesel + 80% diesel fuel. |
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Introduction
of a water conservation task force which puts Valparaiso on
track to become the first city in Indiana to introduce a water
conservation plan. |
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The
city has made a commitment to trees by instituting a tree inventory
to protect and maintain current trees while adding new trees
to the city each year. This ensures the long term life of this
valuable resource, vital for air cooling and quality, as well
as quality of life. |
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Separating
Storm Water and Sanitary Sewers to maximize treatment and minimize
inevitable overflows of the combined sewer system. |
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Reducing
winter salt usage through conservation and computerized salt
spreaders. By reducing the salt, we preserve the natural environment. |
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Initiation
of a program to encourage the use of reusable bags by introducing
a plastic bag recycling and the distribution of reusable bags. |
Copyright
© 2008 - City of Valparaiso, Indiana. Last Update: 04/09/09.
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