Sustainability in Greenfield

Sustainability is a BIG concept and it will be an exciting but long journey to our goal. To make it happen, everyone has to get involved. Every action, big and small, is part of getting where we want to go.

This whole website is about sustainability in Greenfield. And it will document our progress.

This section helps us understand the whole – the sum of the parts. It has the results of our Energy Audit, and it invites you to contribute to the many ideas for what kind of things we want for our community – everything from energy options to food, water, and the many other issues that contribute to our quality of life. This section will also try and document our progress toward our goals.

Other sections of this web talk about what we mean by sustainability, and talk our events, our work with youth, Green Heroes, businesses that have joined our 10% Challenge, a list of simple things you can do, how you can get involved, and community groups and businesses who are “walking the talk.”

But first, let’s take a few moments and celebrate some of our amazing achievements to date as individuals, as businesses, as organizations, and as a community. Please send us your stories to add to our list!

• In May 2010, Greenfield hired a Sustainability Coordinator. You can email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• In May 2010, Greenfield's efforts toward reducing energy use and moving toward sustainability were recognized by Gov. Patrick's Leading by Example Award. About Greenfield's Award. About the Award.

• In May 2010, Greenfield was the first community to be named a “Green Community” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This involved making a commitment to reduce energy used by municipal buildings etc. by 20% by 2012. Map of Green Communities. About Green Communities.

• 10% Challenge. As of August 2010, over 750 households have pledged to reduce their energy use by 10% by the end of 2010.

• Wisdom Way Solar Village is the first-in-the-nation near-zero-net-energy affordable housing project. The homes generate almost as much energy as they use. People building new homes are learning from this example and building near-zero-net-energy homes for the 21st century and beyond.

• Greenfield is the center of Contra Dancing in the Northeast!

• People understand the value “downtown” and shopping locally. Witness CISA’s award-winning “local hero” campaign the new 3/50 campaign that encourages us to shop locally.

• Bank Row and other downtown buildings are being renovated so as to increase downtown density - people and stores! Many are energy efficient and/or use efficient heating systems such as ground source heat pumps, also called geothermal heat. Greenfield Redevelopment Authority.

• Hundreds of people have home gardens and compost their waste, and some folks have invited their neighbors to join with them. Many of them are using innovative techniques such as permaculture and forest gardening.

• We have two community gardens! Pleasant Street Community Garden is in-town and Just Roots runs one at the Town Farm.

• We have two farmer’s markets, and numerous CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) bringing local fresh produce to our downtown.

• Many restaurants advertise that they sell local food. The People’s Pint is committed to a No Trash policy! Everything is recycled!

• We have a food coop that 1) offers local organic produce and is 2) located downtown so that people can walk or bike to it. Green Fields Market

• Bike racks have been installed throughout town.

• More people ask Mass Save and Community Action for an energy audit than in any other community in the area.

• Schools are getting involved in farming and local issues.

• Our sewage treatment plant is heated by our own wastewater and a heat pump.

• The Energy Park offers FREE concerts all summer long!

• Many non-profits offer exciting learning opportunities. In addition to Greening Greenfield Energy Committee’s (GGEC) efforts, Greenfield Community College, Trap Rock Center for Peace and Justice, Co-op Power, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), the Pioneer Valley Institute, and the Senior Symposium and many others enrich our lives.

More good stuff coming down the pike:

• The Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) will build the first-in-the-nation zero-net-energy transit station in 2010-2011. FRTA also offers public transit.

• Rail travel - to New York and Montreal is coming by 2012.

• In 2010, the town will build a 2.4MW solar park on our old landfill, cutting electrical costs by $200,000 a year, while also cutting carbon dioxide emissions, the major cause of climate change by 3600 tons (7.2 million poungs).

• The Town is embarking on energy upgrades for most of its buildings and schools. In June, 2010 it signed a contract with an energy service company (ESCO) to do $4.1 million of work. This loan will be paid back with energy savings over the next 20 years.

• In January 2011, The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) will engage us all in developing a Regional Sustainability Plan. Shortly therafter,Greenfield will embark on a Master Planning process, which will offer everyone in Greenfield an opportunity to share your vision of what would make Greenfield a better and more sustainable place to live. The Planning board and staff, and Mayor Martin have all agreed that we need to infuse the plan with the principals of sustainability!

• Other stuff: Following is a list of other Municipal efforts that have been successful in reducing energy, waste, conserving water, and keeping our town green.

• Town Cars: In 2009, we purchased new energy efficient vehicles for our building and health inspectors.

• Waste: We operate an award-winning Household Hazardous Waste Program that includes a pay-as-you-throw system that has increased recycling over the past five years from 28% to 42% and reduced trash by 35% from 6469 tons to 4289 tons. Over that period, while the fees per ton of trash disposal increased by 42%, we reduced our trash disposal costs by 5%. The Town collects and properly disposes of mercury, paints, paper and cardboard, bottles, construction waste, metals, CRTs, fluorescent lights, and yard waste.

• Water: Over the past five years, our water and sewer department conducted a water leak survey and lined pipes to address the most severe problems; invested in numerous measures to cut energy use of pumps; improved building envelopes and installed a heat pump to cut energy use for heating; and we are exploring the feasibility of installing solar electric panels to meet some of our pumping needs. In 2009, the Greenfield Public Library installed a rain garden, to reduce storm water, and educate others about the importance of reducing water run off.

• Parks: We have numerous Parks and green spaces for recreation and conservation. We have an ongoing program to improve our Parks.

• Trees: Greenfield has received recognition as a “Tree City” by Tree City USA for the past six years. This has been made possible by securing a steady source of income from the funeral homes for our citizen-run Tree Committee, which, in collaboration with the DPW, plants several dozen trees each year. Our tree program helps to reduce the heat island effect and downtown air pollution, while improving the aesthetics of downtown and offering habitat to many critters.

Businesses: Many businesses have taken the 10% Challenge. For some, building a more sustainable world is their core business. For others it is their passion. Following are some examples:

• Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics (PV²) is a worker-owned business providing turnkey renewable energy system installations at homes, businesses, municipalities and institutions.

• The Greenfield Solar Store offers solar and energy efficient products, books and informaiton and more.

• Green Job training: Greenfield Community College (GCC) offers a nationally-recognized program that trains people for green jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Franklin County Tech School and the Greenfield High School offer green job classes and the opportunity to attend (GCC) courses.

• Small Corps installed a 100kw solar electric system in 2009, which meets 100% of their electrical needs.

• New downtown developers upgrade buildigns with energy efficiency as one of their top priorities. See Zaccheo Properties, and Ed Wierzbowski's projects, and Jordi Herold.