Sustainability
Merriam Residents Collect 1,000 Pounds of Plastic in Four Months!
The plastic film packaging that you normally throw away will become a bench in Merriam. During spring of 2023, Merriam residents helped us collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film to create two benches in Merriam! The response quickly exceeded our original goal of 500 pounds by July.
These types of plastics can be dropped off at local stores that accept bags for recycling. Plastic bags and packaging can't be recycled in your curbside recycling bin because they get tangled in the machinery at recycling facilities.
You can also visit www.recyclespot.org to see where to recycle any item.
Spotlight on Sustainability in September
We're shining the spotlight on sustainability in Merriam this September!
Before the month even begins, Heartland Tree Alliance (HTA) is offering a free Native Trees Workshop at Merriam Community Center on August 31. If you want to dive deeper into becoming a tree expert, register for HTA's educational Tree Keeper series at Merriam City Hall beginning Sept. 7. You may see HTA staff planting trees around Merriam neighborhoods this fall in the yards of those who applied for the Residential Tree Grant.
On Sept. 9, City leadership will attend the KC Climate Action Summit and learn more about current successes and plans for regional opportunities. Merriam City Council endorsed the KC Climate Action Plan in 2021. The plan provides a voluntary framework to guide and align local climate action in ways that make a difference for the entire region. It includes a set of strategies that have a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Merriam's Green Team is planting a new perennial pollinator garden at Waterfall Park, beautifying the space and supporting our ecosystem. Without pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds, many of our favorite foods and flowers wouldn't grow and survive. Pollinators are responsible for providing us with one out of every three bites of food.
There's many opportunities for Merriam residents to embrace sustainability this September. Take advantage of these opportunities to learn about native trees, compost, and even keeping chickens in your backyard. Discover many more topics at the Go Green Environmental Fair, and close out the month by gathering up old electronics for recycling. Follow us on facebook to stay up to date on all the happenings!
Native Trees Workshop
Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6 p.m. | Merriam Community Center
Learn About Composting from K-State Research and Extension
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Merriam Farmers' Market
What's Cluckin' in the Hen House
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m. | Merriam Marketplace | Register
Go Green Environmental Fair
Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m. - noon | Powell Community Center
Fall Recycling and Paper Shredding Event
Saturday, Sept. 30 | 9 a.m. - noon | 9001 W. 67th St.
More ways you can be environmentally friendly in Merriam
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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.
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Eat locally grown food. Shop at the Merriam Farmers' Market every Saturday, May–September.
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Compost food scraps. You can get a $40 rebate from the City if you purchase a compost bin. Drop-off or curbside composting services are also available.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place! Reduction and reuse save natural resources, protect the environment, and save money.
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Recycle curbside or find drop-off services on recyclespot.org. 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.
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Recycle glass in the purple Ripple Glass bin at IKEA, or sign up for curbside collection.
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Convert household lightbulbs to LED. A free bulb is included in the home energy saving kits. Pick one up at the Merriam Community Center.
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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.
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Use RideKC Micro Transit to share a lift with local riders. Merriam Town Center is now a featured destination!
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Find a list of certified green organizations across Johnson County and connect with free sustainability consultants with the Johnson County Green Business Program.
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Find tips on how to do a home energy audit, steps to weatherizing your home, tips for appliances, and many more resources to help you save energy at home on energy.gov.
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Set up usage alerts and find tips on water and our environment at waterone.org.
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Do a home energy analysis, compare with your neighbors, and find many ways to save at evergy.com. You can even subscribe to use wind energy for your home.
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Save money with energy-savings tools and tips on kansasgasservice.com.