Category: Environment Page 1 of 26

As we step into a new year, many of us are thinking about small, meaningful changes we can make to live more sustainably. Here’s some good news: composting is easy peasy in the City of College Park—and it might just be one of the simplest resolutions you can check off your list this year.

Through the City’s curbside composting program, residents can turn everyday food scraps into something positive for the environment. Instead of sending organic waste to the landfill, composting helps reduce trash, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and return valuable nutrients back to the soil.

Why Try Curbside Composting?

• 🍎 Reduce food waste going into landfills

• 🌍 Lower your environmental footprint

• 🏡 It’s convenient and resident-friendly—just use your green bin

• 🌿 Support healthier soil and sustainable practices

If you’ve ever thought composting sounded complicated or time-consuming, this program is designed to change that perception. It fits easily into your normal routine and makes a real difference over time.

Sign Up Today

Getting started is simple. Residents can sign up for curbside composting and find all the details—including what can and cannot go in the bin—at:

👉 collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps

Let’s make this year one where small actions add up to big community impact. Composting is an easy win for our homes, our city, and our planet.

We’re excited to share that the Maryland Forestry Foundation, with support from the Maryland Forest Service and several key partners, is launching the nation’s first Urban Forestry Careers Camp—right here at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus!

This groundbreaking program is designed to inspire high school students to explore careers in natural resources and urban forestry. As our communities grow and urban green spaces become more vital than ever, this initiative helps prepare the next generation of environmental stewards and forestry professionals.

Want to learn more? Join the Framing the Future informational webinar on April 17, from 1–2 p.m.

Register here: tinyurl.com/FramingApril2025

Students interested in applying to the summer camp can find more information and submit an application by visiting the Maryland Forestry Foundation’s website: bit.ly/3TeUJGA

Let’s spread the word and support this unique opportunity to connect young minds with meaningful green careers!

From the Committee for a Better Environment (CBE)

Did you know that your food choices can significantly impact the environment? While many people are aware that driving and flying contribute to climate change, what we put on our plates also plays a crucial role. Agriculture is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions stemming not only from farming equipment but also from methane released by livestock, fertilizers, and deforestation.When natural ecosystems like forests or mangroves are converted into agricultural land, the environment loses valuable carbon sinks—areas that absorb carbon from the atmosphere—and instead releases carbon into the air.

Meat’s Environmental Impact

Among all food categories, meat production stands out as the largest contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about two-thirds of emissions. Beef, lamb, and shellfish rank highest in emissions per pound of food produced. In fact, on a per-calorie basis, shellfish slightly surpasses beef. Other high-impact foods include cheese, fish, and lamb.

Though reducing your meat intake is beneficial for the environment, going completely meat-free isn’t necessary. Making small adjustments, such as substituting beans or legumes for meat just one day a week, can have a meaningful impact.

Why Choose Climate-Friendly Foods?

Switching to more plant-based options offers multiple benefits. Foods like beans, chickpeas, and lentils enrich the
soil and require minimal water to grow. Other climate-friendly options include mushrooms, root vegetables, and nuts.
Beyond the environmental impact, these foods promote a healthier, more diverse diet. Most of the world’s food supply
comes from a limited range of crops and animals, so exploring plant-based alternatives introduces exciting new flavors
and textures to your meals. Additionally, these foods are often more affordable, shelf-stable, and have a longer life
span compared to meat, reducing waste.

Another way to reduce your food-related environmental footprint is by choosing items with minimal packaging, you can  get a custom packaging design made just for you. Since most packaging materials are plastic-based—derived from fossil fuels—cutting back helps reduce pollution. For sustainable and innovative packaging solutions, www.eliter-packaging.com provides cutting-edge designs that enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Climate-Friendly Foods to Try:

• Beans & legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas)
• Mushrooms
• Leafy greens
• Broccoli
• Algae
• Root vegetables (e.g., carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
• Vegetable-like fruits (e.g., squash, eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes)
• Sweet peppers
• Sprouts
• Nuts & seeds
• Rice
• Tofu

Exploring these foods can reduce your carbon footprint, benefit your health, and even save money. Simple dietary
shifts, like adding a plant-based meal each week, help us take meaningful steps toward sustainability.

The heat and lack of rain has caused unhealthy conditions for our tree canopy! If there are street trees adjacent to your property, we could use your help watering them. Learn when and how to water trees at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=627

The University of Maryland proposes the Next Gen Energy project, which will stand at the forefront of this vital movement, showcasing innovative solutions and a commitment to environmental stewardship. This project is set to transform the university’s energy infrastructure and serve as a model for institutions and communities worldwide.

What is the Next Gen Energy Project?
The Next Gen Energy project is an initiative by the University of Maryland to overhaul its energy systems, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, the project aims to reduce the campus’s carbon footprint, promote renewable energy, and ensure long-term energy security.

Key Components of the Project
Renewable Energy Integration
The project plans to significantly increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, within the university’s energy mix. This shift will reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote the use of clean, inexhaustible energy sources.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Comprehensive upgrades to the university’s existing energy infrastructure are a core component of the Next Gen Energy project. This includes modernizing HVAC systems, improving building insulation, and implementing smart energy management systems to optimize energy use. By installing an external cavity wall insulation, it will help you enhance the energy efficiency and reduce the electricity bill.

Resilient Energy Systems
To ensure uninterrupted energy supply and enhance resilience against natural disasters and other disruptions, the project incorporates microgrid technology. This allows the university to operate independently from the main grid during emergencies, maintaining essential services and operations.

Sustainable Campus Design
The project emphasizes sustainable design principles in new and renovated buildings. This includes using eco-friendly materials, maximizing natural lighting, and incorporating green spaces to create a healthier and more sustainable campus environment.

Community and Educational Impact
Beyond its technical aspects, the Next Gen Energy project is designed to impact the University of Maryland community and beyond profoundly. It serves as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and researchers, providing hands-on learning opportunities and fostering innovation in sustainable energy technologies.

Furthermore, the project underscores the university’s commitment to environmental leadership. By setting ambitious sustainability goals and achieving them, the University of Maryland inspires other institutions to follow suit, amplifying these efforts’ global impact.

Looking Ahead
According to the UMD, the Next Gen Energy project is more than just an upgrade to the university’s energy systems; it is a bold step towards a sustainable future. As climate change continues to pose significant challenges, initiatives like this demonstrate the power of proactive, forward-thinking solutions. The University of Maryland is leading the way in creating a sustainable, energy-secure future for all by harnessing the potential of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and building resilient systems.

For more information on the Next Gen Energy project and its progress, visit nextgen.umd.edu.

The UMD representatives will present the project at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.