Sustainability

Help Create a Bench from Plastics

The plastic film packaging that you normally throw away can now become a bench in Merriam. Bring plastic film to the Merriam Community Center, City Hall, or the Merriam Police Department between May and October. Our goal is to collect 500 pounds of plastic film packaging in six months.

We’re collecting:

• Plastic grocery bags
• Bubble wrap
• Paper towel or toilet paper packaging
• Newspaper sleeves
• Cereal and bread bags
• Produce bags 

These types of plastics can't be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. Watch a video to learn more.

Stay tuned! When we meet our goal, we’ll have a contest to vote where we should place the bench in one of Merriam’s public spaces.

Check out more ways you can be environmentally friendly in Merriam!

• Apply for a Residential Sustainability Grant through the City.

• Install energy saving systems, including solar panels, high efficiency HVAC, insulation, energy efficient windows and doors, and geothermal heating and cooling.      

• Eat locally grown food. Shop at the Merriam Farmers' Market every Saturday, May–September. 

• Compost food scraps. Check out Compost Collective KC to get started.

• Recycle curbside or find drop-off services here. Make sure to let recycling items be loose in the bins – bagged items may end up in the landfill! Learn more on Johnson County's Recycling 101. 

• Recycle glass with Crush Glass or drop it off in the purple Ripple Glass bin at IKEA.

• Convert household lightbulbs to LED.

• Build a rain garden, plant native trees, or get a rain barrel to help reduce stormwater runoff. 

• The City's Contain the Rain provides a 50% match up to $2,250.

• Use RideKC Micro Transit to share a lift with local riders. Merriam Town Center is now a featured destination!

• Find a list of certified green organizations across Johnson County and connect with free sustainability consultants with the Johnson County Green Business Program.