Source: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-smog-eating-pavement-greenest-street-america.html

Chicago city officials have dubbed Cermak Road in Chicago, Illinois, the greenest street in American on April 1, 2013. This city roadway includes smog-eating pavement, streetlights that run on solar and wind power, sidewalks made with recycled concrete, and shrub-filled “bioswales” to keep storm water out of overtaxed sewers. The Windy City has been experimenting with greener approaches to urban planning for years as part of a broader plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change: more intense storms and more extreme temperatures. The $14 million project to reshape two miles (3.2 kilometers) of the industrial Pilsen neighborhood incorporates pretty much everything city planners could come up with to cut energy use, fight pollution, reduce waste, manage water use and help build a sense of community. The project amazingly costs 21 percent less than a traditional road resurfacing project and should be cheaper to maintain. Chicago is one of a growing number of cities that are no longer waiting for the federal government to deal with climate change and are instead finding local, “no-regret” solutions, said Karen Hobbs, a water analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Chicago is planting more trees, improving public transportation and improving bicycle lanes, and using more efficient street light bulbs. Chicago says it is the first in the nation, however, to lay down smog-eating cement. Because it’s significantly more costly than traditional pavement, Chicago is using this material in thin, permeable pavers for the bicycle and parking lanes along Blue Island Avenue and Cermak Road. Project manager Janet Attarian insists that while the smog-eating pavers are pretty impressive, it’s the combined approach that is going to make a real difference. Officials hope that this project will inspire others to take advantage of the many opportunities there are to improve our roads. Choosing drought-resistant plants for the bioswales means they ought to be able to withstand the hotter summers forecast as a result of climate change without wasting fresh water. The city is currently drafting new guidelines that will incorporate many of these green approaches as requirements for any new road work going forward.

Source: Smog-eating pavement on ‘greenest street in America’ by Mira Oberman, April 7, 2013

Photo Credit: zdnet.com

Visiting my family and friends in Chicago this past weekend I noticed a new addition to the sidewalks of densely populated Michigan Avenue. Solar powered trash cans. After looking into it further, I found there are more than 400 in Chicago along with several other cities across the U.S.

These very modern, earth-friendly  trash cansautomatically crush the garbage down using a 12-volt battery that is powered by a solar panel.  This technology makes more space in the can which in turn decreases the number of  times it needs to be emptied. This equals reduced fuel consumption, air pollution and better use of our sun’s energy. These solar-powered garbage receptacles also send a message when it’s time for collection. These new garbage cans can also add up to big savings for cities adopting them. The city of Philadelphia aims to save up to $13 million in the next 10 years by switching to solar powered waste cans.

Photo Credit: bigbelly.com

In addition to garbage cans, there are also receptacles for composting and recycling. These bins are great for helping to educate about how waste items are classified and why its important to compost and recycle. This solution gets two birds with one can: education and smart use of renewable energy.

There are many innovations happening in solar technology and renewable energy. WREF 2012 will feature innovations similar to solar powered trash cans. We hope you’ll join us!