Boston Square Community Bikes offers a free DIY Bike workshop space alongside a low- to no-cost recycled bicycle shop. Funded by Oakdale Neighbors, the area community development organization, Boston Square Community Bikes has recognized the importance of bicycles as a vital means of transportation and has worked to foster the knowledge customers need to do important bicycle maintenance jobs themselves.
From the recyclables you put out on the curb each week to the roll cart that carries them, closed-loop manufacturing is redefining the way plastic products are created, and extending their lives far beyond a single-use.
About 132,000 tons of food waste winds up in West Michigan landfills every year. The number is even higher for plastics and inorganic waste. Members of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum are working together to drive that number down to zero.
Plastic waste is a growing problem, in Grand Rapids, in West Michigan, in the United States, and the rest of the world. Here are the individuals and businesses that are working to use and reuse plastic more sustainably.
In the Urban Innovation Exchange series, Editor Matthew Russell highlights the people and projects transforming West Michigan through sustainable efforts. From education to city building to recycling, these are the leaders making change in our communities.
Millions of dollars are being thrown away every year, in the form of waste left at the local landfill. It's a revenue stream that some are managing to take advantage of, and Kent County is hoping others take notice.
More than qualified to direct the city's Office of Energy and Sustainability, Haris Alibašic has his hands in many other projects as well. He manages the state and federal legislative affairs for the city, is actively involved with the Bosnian American community, and as a member of the Grand Rapids 2030 District Leadership Council, is reducing greenhouse gases in downtown Grand Rapids.
Local businessman, educator and seminary graduate Jerry Zandstra is keeping busy on the heels of a November announcement of his company’s pending acquisition of the Steelcase pyramid, which he plans to turn into a groundbreaking STEM education hub.
Lead poisoning interferes with brain development, causes life-long brain damage, and poor physical growth and development. It contributes to social, behavioral and school problems, and learning disabilities; and can even cause death. As Grand Rapids continues to restore its historic neighborhoods, 'Get the Lead Out!' is raising awareness of the dangers associated with lead-based paint chips and dust.
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