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Sustainable Home
The Sustainable Home is a set of resources, ideas, and actions Raleigh residents can implement immediately using low-cost, easy-to-use techniques to save energy and reduce utility bills. This community-focused, education initiative is available to homeowners and renters. The resources include tips and information on weatherization, energy efficiency, green cleaning, water conservation, recycling, and landscaping. Handouts include the Green Cleaning pamphlet, the Home Energy brochure, and a Refrigerator graphic that shows the best way to stock your refrigerator.
For more information contact Sustainable.Raleigh@raleighnc.gov
Sustainability Jobs in the City of Raleigh
The city's Office of Sustainability is responsible for implementing the city's Community Climate Action Plan and managing overall sustainability efforts. However, there are dozens of jobs across the city that, though they may not have sustainability in the title, are directly involved in making the city a more sustainable place.
Examples include transportation engineers who design safer streets or bicycle or bus lanes, stormwater staff who create more water-absorbent environments, or land use planners who help build a more walkable, compact city.
See our Sustainability Jobs Guide for more examples of the work we do - and for opportunities for you to join the team.
Public Transportation and Commuter Benefits
GoRaleigh can provide speakers about topics ranging from How to Ride the Bus to the Future of Transit in our Area. The presentations are appropriate for groups as diverse as elementary students, community service clubs, senior citizens, and professional groups.
The City of Raleigh also offers an easy solution to help alleviate traffic congestion and employee stress with Transportation Demand Management (TDM). TDM seeks to move more people in fewer vehicles. Using the program's strategies can decrease the use of the single occupancy vehicle (SOV) and encourage the use of alternatives such as transit, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, walking, teleworking, and alternative work schedules.
Please contact the Commute Smart team for more information.
Additional information is available on the Commute Smart webpage.
Downtown Raleigh Sustainability Walking Tour
The self-guided 2-mile walking tour of downtown Raleigh highlights the three spheres of sustainability: Economic Strength, Environmental Stewardship and Social Equity. Tour stops include: Raleigh Convention Center, solar powered electric vehicle charging station, Shaw University, and solar LED lights.
Composting, Waste Reduction, and Recycling
Solid Waste Services staff are available to provide presentations on waste reduction, recycling, backyard composting, and vermicomposting. In addition, staff can provide literature or advice to Girl and Boy Scouts working on environmental badges. The education specialist will tailor a program to meet the needs of any group, from kindergarten students through senior citizens.
Please contact Amanda Astor, Community Education Specialist, at 919-996-6973 for more information.
Stormwater and Stream Life
The quality of stormwater runoff continues to have a significant impact on our streams and aquatic habitats. Learn how you can improve the environment and protect our streams from pollution. Education specialists within Raleigh Stormwater are available to give a wide variety of presentations ranging from general stormwater pollution awareness, identifying and preventing illicit discharges, and the bugs that actually live in streams and how they are used as a way to measure stream health. Staff will tailor the presentation or activity to meet the needs of your group and is available for any group or school within the Raleigh City limits.
Reuse Water
Raleigh Water staff are available to provide presentations on the new application of using reuse water Reuse water is wastewater treated to a high level and used for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and power washing. Presentations can focus on explaining what reuse water is, how using it can help save water, and what reuse water can be used for. Staff can customize a program to meet the needs of any group or school within the Raleigh utility service areas including Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon.
Please contact Nathan Howell for more information.
Wastewater and Biosolids
Raleigh Water staff are available to provide presentations on the wastewater system and the biosolids program, including the Biosolids Environmental Management System. Presentations are also available on the Fats, Oils and Grease program and the sanitary sewer collection system, which includes the Sanitary Sewer Reporting Rewards Program. Staff will tailor a program to meet the needs of any group or school within the Raleigh utility service areas including Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, Knightdale, and Zebulon.
Please contact Ed Buchan for more information.
Seasonal Solutions
Consumer waste increases during the holiday season. We have a number of tips for you to shop sustainably (select sustainable plants, products and gifts) and manage energy consumption as you celebrate the holidays. And as an added treat, here's a holiday "Wrapping Rap" submitted by Abbie Emory.
Videos
The Office of Sustainability has produced several videos and created a video library to provide insight, education and outreach to residents, local businesses, and others that includes training videos, an overview of the Office, sustainability vignettes and more.
