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Have you ever asked the question “What can I do to be more environmentally friendly?” Or, “How can I live a more sustainable life?” If so, this page is for you! The Raleigh Sustainable Neighborhood Toolkit is a collection of resources and support programs to help Raleigh neighborhoods and residents:
- Reach or set new sustainability goals and help our community meet the goals in Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan
- Save money
- Become more efficient
- Be recognized for their sustainability efforts
- Get more involved in their community and give back
The Toolkit includes a range of resources that community members can use to achieve these goals, including installing solar panels, grants, free assistance, community engagement, volunteer opportunities and commute options. Please also check out our Sustainable Business Toolkit for resources on various ways that your business or organization can also save money, be efficient, get recognized, and get more involved in giving back to the community.
Commuting and Transportation Options
| PROGRAM | WHO IS THIS FOR? | DESCRIPTION | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commute Smart Raleigh | Anyone who works in Raleigh | City transportation management program that helps employees discover an array of alternative transportation options that can save them time and money. | A personalized plan for your daily commute options. Transportation in single occupancy vehicles is one of Raleigh’s biggest contributors to GHG emissions. Be a climate leader and promote alternatives! |
| Commute Smart Ambassador Academy | Raleigh teens ages 13-15 | This annual one-week academy was created to engage teens in activities and lessons around transportation issues and topics so they can become ambassadors for their peers and encourage the use of alternate forms of transportation whenever possible. | Getting real-world experience on Raleigh’s streets through biking, walking, scootering, and public transportation. Learn from experts about the history, current state, and future plans for transit in Raleigh. And receive a free bicycle at the end of the week! |
| Greenways | Anyone | There are 117 miles and counting of paved greenways in Raleigh. Many greenways connect to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and other major attractions. | Using the greenway system to commute, exercise, or play. |
| WalkRaleigh | Anyone | WalkRaleigh provides various resources promoting safe, comfortable, and inviting places for pedestrians in Raleigh. | Finding a trail to walk in Raleigh, learning more about the City’s plans for sidewalk connectivity, or reporting a damaged sidewalk. |
| BikeRaleigh | Anyone | BikeRaleigh provides resources for those who ride their bike for fun as well as those who use a bike for transportation and commuting. | Utilizing Raleigh’s bikeshare program, viewing a map of all bike lanes in Raleigh, learning how to put your bike on a bus, finding a trail to bike on, and seeing what the City is doing to improve bike infrastructure. |
| Bikeshare Program | Anyone | Regular and electric bikes can be rented at Raleigh’s 32 bikeshare locations. | Getting around town on a bike, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and be loads of fun! |
| Dockless E-Scooters | Anyone | Dockless e-scooters are available in downtown Raleigh. These scooters are motorized, GPS-tracked, rent-by-the-minute micromobility devices that can be used for commuting. | Replacing a vehicle trip with a scooter ride, reducing traffic congestion, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and having fun. |
| GoRaleigh | Anyone | GoRaleigh is Raleigh’s free public transit system. On their website, find a trip planner, live bus tracking, news and more! | Taking the bus instead of driving, saving you money and being more sustainable! |
| EV Ready Playbook | Homeowners or local organizations and businesses | The EV Ready Playbook is a step-by-step guide to installing electric vehicle charging at homes, businesses, or any other location. It answers many frequent questions about charging at home such as where to put a charger, what kind of charger to choose, and how it will affect your utility bill. | Charging an electric vehicle at home. Driving an electric vehicle cuts transportation-related emissions greatly and will save the owner money in the long run! |
| Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit | Businesses and tax-exempt organizations | The Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit allows buyers of qualified commercial clean vehicles to take a 30% tax credit on each purchase, with a max of $7,500 per machine. This tax credit, available through 2033, can be used for electrifying your vehicle fleet and other equipment such as electric commercial lawn mowers. The City of Raleigh cannot give tax advice; for more information on what qualifies for the tax credit, visit the IRS website. ** Congressional Record from the Senate on August 6, 2022 page S4167 clarifies that commercial lawn mowers qualify for the tax credit (source). | Encouraging commercial landscaping companies who work in your neighborhood to replace their company’s gas-powered vehicles, including commercial lawn mowers, with a more sustainable and cost-friendly option.
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Energy, Water, Waste, and Cost Savings
| PROGRAM | WHO IS THIS FOR? | DESCRIPTION | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling for Residents | Raleigh residents | Find information on what can be recycled in Raleigh, your recycling pick-up day, how to report a missed collection, order an extra cart, set up your service, and where to drop off any items the City can't collect curbside. | Limiting the amount of waste that is sent from your home to the landfill. Recycling right, one small decision at a time, can make a big difference in the long run!
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| Raleigh FreeFILL | Anyone | City facilities and businesses all over Raleigh have volunteered to provide free refills of your water bottle on site. Click the link to view the list of participating locations. | Reducing the number of single-use plastic that enter the waste stream, one water bottle at a time! |
| Wake County Waste and Recycling | Wake County residents | Information on how and where to recycle in Wake County non-curbside recyclable items such as cooking oil, electronics, large appliances, scrap metal and more. The county also offers Waste Reduction Grants up to $10,000 to schools, nonprofits, and businesses completing innovative waste reduction projects. | Helping your home or community to create less waste by recycling more items. Be a zero-waste champion by recycling as much and as often as possible! |
| Residential Solar Permitting Guide | Homeowners or renters | This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install solar at a home in Raleigh. | Getting support on the permitting process for solar panel installation at home. Using solar energy to power a home will lower energy-related emissions and energy costs! |
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Homeowners or renters who install solar PV cells on their property | This tax credit equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property for your home installed through 2032. Qualified expenses include the costs of new clean energy property including solar electric panels, solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells, and battery storage technology. The City of Raleigh cannot give tax advice; for more information on the tax credit, visit the IRS website. | Lowering the upfront costs associated with installing solar at home. Using clean energy will save money on your energy bill and benefit the environment! |
Stormwater and Water Quality
| PROGRAM | WHO IS THIS FOR? | DESCRIPTION | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stormwater Outreach and Education | Raleigh residents | View a collection of online resources for personal learning about stormwater or request a staff visit at your school, community, or business event. | Understanding what stormwater runoff is, how to prevent water pollution, and why preserving our water resources is important. |
| Raleigh Rainwater Rewards | Property owners | Rainwater Rewards provides City funding for projects such as rain gardens and cisterns that capture and clean rainwater before it goes into storm drains and local waterways. These projects provide opportunities to create beautiful green spaces and support various environmental benefits, like pollinators and native species. | Lowering the cost (up to 90% reimbursement) on a stormwater project on your property. Additionally, support equity and resilience by mitigating flooding and extreme heat, two of the largest climate change impacts in Raleigh! |
| Drainage Assistance Program | Homeowners | The Drainage Assistance program funds projects that address flooding or erosion on private property caused by runoff from streets. | Addressing flooding issues on your property while being proactive against flooding, a major impact of climate change in Raleigh. |
Get Involved, Give Back, and Recognition
| PROGRAM | WHO IS THIS FOR? | DESCRIPTION | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Climate Action Fund | Raleigh neighborhoods and communities | NCAF offers funding to neighborhoods wanting to do climate change-related projects that benefit their community and potentially the larger public. These projects could include (but are not limited to) tree planting, public EV charging stations, neighborhood compost, and Ready Raleigh emergency preparedness kit packing parties for Climate Resilience. | Living in a neighborhood with more sustainable features that will benefit you, your community, and the environment! |
| Raleigh Environmental Awards | Raleigh residents and Wake County Public School students | This annual award program celebrates the best in climate action, community engagement and corporate stewardship in Raleigh. You can self-nominate or nominate an individual, group, business, non-profit, youth or organization to recognize their sustainability work. | Showcasing your sustainability and climate action work. Celebrate great environmental work being done with other climate champions in Raleigh! |
| NC Green Travel Initiative | Anyone | Visit local businesses making a difference! The NC GreenTravel Initiative recognizes businesses in the hospitality industry that have implemented sustainable practices and initiatives. This is an extensive list of lodging, dining, attractions, and more that you are encouraged to visit throughout Raleigh and NC. | Supporting businesses who are striving to make a positive environmental impact while at home in Raleigh and while traveling throughout North Carolina. |
| Volunteer Raleigh and City Volunteer Programs | Anyone | Find volunteer opportunities within various departments at the City of Raleigh; as well as a list of volunteer opportunities at City funded agencies and organizations. | Getting more involved in the community and giving back through volunteerism. Support the missions of various organizations in the city that provide services to enhance the quality of life for our neighborhoods and communities! |
| Raleigh Neighborhood College | Raleigh Residents | A free series of classes offered twice a year for Raleigh residents to learn about tools that can help them become actively involved in neighborhood and community organizations. | Becoming more connected with local government services and staff, meeting other citizens, and being a resource and leader in your neighborhood. |
| Partnership Raleigh Community Climate Interns | College Students | An annual 10-week hybrid internship program for college students interested in carrying out the goals of the Raleigh Community Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate equity and build community resilience. | Supporting the implementation of Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan while exploring career paths in municipal government and acquiring employment skills. |
| Neighborhood Ecology Corps | Middle and high school students | A three-year program for students to become environmentally literate citizens with a holistic view of their community through hands-on experience. | Developing friendships, gaining comfort in the outdoors, participating in service-learning projects, and deepening their understanding of the relationship between their community, ecology, and environmental justice. |
| Digital Connectors | High school students in Raleigh | A 5-month leadership and service program that focuses on digital inclusion efforts to help bridge the digital divide in Raleigh. | Learning about and promoting digital equity an inclusion, developing leadership skills, and reducing e-waste in Raleigh.
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| Tree Planting | Anyone | Trees provide Raleigh with environmental, aesthetic, social, and economic benefits. Planting a tree is the best way to make sure we have a healthy and diverse urban forest for future generations. | Volunteering at a tree planting event, donating a tree in honor of a loved one, or planting a tree on your property, street, or neighborhood. Supporting tree planting in Raleigh to mitigate climate change, create healthier communities, calm traffic, provide food and shelter to wildlife, and more! |
| Leaf Collection | Homeowners | Raleigh offers a seasonal service to collect leaves from homes and educational resources on environmentally friendly ways to handle leaves. | "Leaving for leaves” to benefit the health of your lawn, garden, and the broader environment. |
Planning a More Sustainable Raleigh
| PROGRAM | WHO IS THIS FOR? | DESCRIPTION | ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning Academy | Raleigh Residents | An opportunity to learn from experts about the role of planning in building a community and to be empowered with the knowledge of how and when residents can be involved in planning processes. | Having a say in how your neighborhood and city are planned. Learn how planning can create more walkable communities with more housing choices and lower greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Ready Raleigh Guide | Anyone | An informational resource to help you prepare yourself, your family, your home, and your community for emergency situations. | Making your home or community more resilient to the impacts of climate change and other emergency situations by being connected, prepared, and informed. |
| Anyone
| A guide to the city's future housing, land use, and transportation decisions, which all have large climate impacts.
| Learning about and supporting the transition to a more sustainable city and region. |
| Planning Webpages: Capital Improvement Project Map, Area Plans, and iMaps | Anyone | The City is planning for a more sustainable future Raleigh where will be it easier to get around without a car and there will be more walkable mixed-use centers and housing choices. These resources can help residents to better understand how Raleigh is planning this future and how these plans are being enacted. To see the City's Future Land Use Map, zoning map, and much more information, see our iMaps service. | Learning about and supporting the transition to a more sustainable city and region. |
