Beachwood Gets Money to Promote Green Solutions

Last week Beachwood was awarded a $3,150 grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District to promote recycling activities.

The city was approved to use $750 to publicize the city’s Shred Day services in May and September. Shred Day encourages residents to shred and recycle paper in an environmentally responsible manner. In 2012, Beachwood’s Shred Day helped 242 residents shred 4.5 tons of paper.

The remaining $2,400 of the grant will be used to design and create vehicle wraps to be placed on two of the city’s garbage trucks. The signage will promote recycling among residents and visitors in Beachwood.

“This grant supports and will help strengthen the City of Beachwood’s efforts to operate more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner,” Mayor Merle Gorden said in a press release. “The recycling programs funded by this grant help to eliminate waste and to remind residents of the importance of recycling and taking care of our community’s environment.”

This year’s Shred Day dates will be held on May 12 and September 29. Vehicle signage is expected to be completed by late August. Beachwood Service Department Director Dale Pekarek said the City’s recycling efforts continue to improve.

“The City in 2012 collected nearly 300 tons more in recycling material over the prior year,” Pekarek said in a release. “That meant 300 tons less in rubbish and thus saved the city more than $11,000 in rubbish disposal fees.”

Other recent environmental efforts by the City include conducting paperless City Council and Planning & Zoning meetings. The Beachwood Fire Department last year swapped its V8 vehicle fleet for more fuel efficient, four cylinder Ford Escapes and Rangers.