Inside This Issue
2020 Award Winner Spotlight | Stormwater Basin Inspections
Holmes Elementary School Rain Garden
Local Organizations meet Community Recycling Needs
Summer Storms | Volunteer Opportunities | Events & Conferences
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Spotlight
2020 Environmental Excellence Award Winners
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We would like to honor the 2020 Environmental Excellence Award Winners despite having to delay our celebration event. Join us in recognizing these award winners for going above and beyond when it comes to doing their best for the environment.
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All members of Waste Knot and Community Partners for Clean Streams are automatically part of E2P2, which collaborates with the County's Pollution Prevention Program to recognize & reward Washtenaw County's environmental business leaders.
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Water Quality Protection Award - Arbor Brewing Company
Arbor Brewing Company has been a member of the Waste Knot Program since the very first year the program began in 1998, and they joined Community Partners for Clean Streams in 2017. ABC does exemplary work both in the areas of waste reduction and stormwater management. For example, they conserve energy through geothermal heating and cooling and solar panels. ABC planted a rain garden on site to capture and infiltrate stormwater runoff. They recycle and reuse all wastes that can be, and even compost landscaping wastes.
In 2019, ABC raised $10,000 for the Arbor Day Foundation by donating a portion of every pint of their Tree Beard IPA sold. These funds raised enough money to plant over 3,000 trees. Arbor Brewing Company not only donated the funds to plant the trees, staff also came out and helped plant 12 new trees at Dolph Park in Ann Arbor. Since these trees were so large, digging a large enough hole was not an easy task!
Rachel Hudson from ABC says, “Because breweries and water resources are so closely connected, we focused our tree planting initiative on improving watersheds and streambank stabilizations. In the years to come, we hope to continue to grow our Arbor Day Initiative so we can help purify water and protect our local environment.”
Thank you to all the staff at Arbor Brewing Company for their exemplary work and commitment to water quality protection!
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Leadership in Environmental Excellence Award - Shannan Gibb-Randall
Shannan Gibb-Randall has been a cornerstone of spreading the use of Green Infrastructure, like rain gardens and native plants, within our community. She is principal and owner of InSite Design, Inc. Shannan not only shares her environmental knowledge on local boards and committees but has also dedicated herself to providing rain garden education to residents through the Master Rain Gardener program in Washtenaw County. We are privileged to honor her contributions to our community as a tremendous colleague, educator, and design professional.
Thank you, Shannan, for all you do to protect our environment and beautify our community!
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Announcements and Opportunities
Stormwater Credit
 Get the credit your business deserves! If your business is in the City of Ann Arbor and is a member of Community Partners for Clean Streams – you can request a credit on your stormwater bill. Save some money and keep our waterways clean. Find out more here.
CPCS Mini-Sponsorships
Community Partner for Clean Streams members are eligible to apply for a mini-sponsorship to support a project that helps improve water quality. Awards are typically around $1,000. In the past, projects have included building rain gardens, restoring old rain gardens, planting a native plant shoreline, and more! Applications are due by April 15, 2022. Winners will be announced on May 1st. Funded projects must provide summary documentation by December 31, 2022. Application and Additional Information
Updated Trash to Treasure Guide
Wondering where you can donate specific items like baby goods, appliances, bike parts, prescription glasses and more? Washtenaw County recently updated the comprehensive guide to local resources called the Trash to Treasure guide. In the guide, you will find alternatives to buying brand new, mail-in recycling programs, and an A-Z guide of resources where you can repair, donate (reuse), or recycle your materials. Be sure to bookmark this page right away for future reference!
Stormwater Basin Inspections
Community Partners for Clean Streams members are eligible for a free stormwater basin inspection. Do you have a stormwater basin on your property and aren't sure what's growing in it? We can help! Schedule a time for Catie Wytychak to stop by, see what plants you have, and learn about managing your basin. Over time, stormwater basins can end up with all kinds of unexpected plants. Some are native plants that provide wildlife habitat and absorb stormwater runoff. Other plants may be invasive species that are best removed but can be managed in different ways. Many basins have trees and shrubs growing in them, which over time can impact the concrete structures and rocks within your basin. Contact Catie Wytychak at wytychakc@washtenaw.org to learn how to get started.
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Pollution Prevention Award - Convenience Auto Service
Convenience Auto Service is a full-service auto repair shop that has been in business for 13 years. They take pride in their work and their skilled, certified technicians. Here are a few highlights on why we are honoring them:
- Full compliance with the Pollution Prevention regulation
- Using less hazardous products: Cintas Parts Washer – citrus based solution versus mineral spirit blends that are flammable and pose inhalation hazards
- The shop converted to LED lighting versus fluorescent bulbs which contain mercury
- Strong interest in pollution prevention and willingness to learn more about further improving environmental management such as rain gardens
Congratulations to Convenience Auto Service for of all their pollution prevention actions!
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Waste Reduction and Recycling Award - Fjällräven Ann Arbor
Sustainability is a company-wide initiative at Fjällräven, an outdoor gear company headquartered in Sweden, with 33 stores throughout North America. Fjällräven Ann Arbor embodies that spirit and goes above and beyond for sustainability to make positive impacts in the community, including participation in our Waste Knot program.
Fjällräven Ann Arbor reuses packaging in their displays, requires store associates to use reusable water bottles, and has even donated signs to a school in Ypsilanti to use in an art project. Fjällräven has also gotten themselves out into the community by cleaning up litter along the Huron River for Earth Day and being a sponsor for the annual Commuter Challenge.
Thank you Fjällräven for your exemplary waste reduction and community sustainability efforts!
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Holmes Elementary School Rain Garden
In 2019 Holmes Elementary School, a Community Partner for Clean Streams, built a rain garden to capture runoff from their roof before it ended up on the playground. Two years later, the rain garden is now well established and a beautiful space on the playground. Students in the environmental club and in the special education classes have helped care for this garden over the years. Holmes Elementary School is in Ypsilanti Township.
Below are some resources for teaching about rain gardens in the classroom, or any setting!
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Proper Medication Disposal is Environmental Protection
Some pharmacies and other locations across Washtenaw County can take medications and medical sharps back for proper disposal. This is the safest option to remove unwanted or expired medications from our homes, and it keeps our families, essential workers, and environment safe. Visit our interactive map at DontFlushDrugs.com to find your closest medication take-back location.
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During the summer (May 1- August 31) of 2021, Washtenaw County saw between 17-20 inches of rainfall, depending on the area. The average rainfall for this time period is 14.4 inches so we are seeing 3 to 6.6 inches more rain than the average summer (usclimatedata.com).
The first big summer storm was between June 25th and 26th when between 3 and 5.7 inches of rain fell in Washtenaw county within 48 hours. In the Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Southeast Ann Arbor area, there were between 5.5-5.7 inches of rain within 24 hours. In one subdivision within Pittsfield township, 6.2 inches of rain were reported in 6 hours. The average amount of rainfall for the month of June is 3.68 inches so in just one storm we saw more than a month’s worth of rain.
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With such an intense amount of rain in a short period of time, flooding occurred. Homes that were damaged are eligible for FEMA assistance, more information can be found on this website.
If you experience flooding in the future, you can report concerns to our office by calling 734-222-6860, emailing drains@washtenaw.org, or complete a drain service request online. After hour emergencies should be reported by calling 911.
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Local Organizations meet Community Needs through Waste Reduction Sponsorship Projects
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Local organizations often times have great understandings of the needs in their communities. However, they may not be equipped or have the resources necessary to fill the gaps they uncover. The Waste Reduction Sponsorships have funded multiple events and programs this year initiated and planned by local organizations. These have included paper-shredding, electronics recycling, tire collections, and a latex paint drive.
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T he Ypsilanti District Library held two electronics recycling events and a paper shredding event, serving 256 vehicles and collecting 17,271 pounds of electronics – that’s 8.6 tons! – in addition to 6,480 pounds (2.9) tons of paper for shredding that went to be recycled. A big congratulations to them for successful events!
So far in 2021 we have approved 7 projects for Waste Reduction Sponsorships totaling over $28,000 in funds for projects like those listed above in addition to sponsoring supplies for the recent Washtenaw Zero Waste Coalition Trash Talk Tour. If you’ve found a need in your community, apply for a sponsorship! Any project or initiative that reduces, diverts, or educates about waste within Washtenaw County or for Washtenaw County residents is eligible.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Saturdays on 10/16, 11/6, 11/13, & 11/20 | 9am - 12pm
Home Toxics Center Volunteers | Washtenaw County Public Works
The Washtenaw County Home Toxics Center has volunteer openings for Saturday Collection Events. Saturday Collection Events utilize volunteers to check in customers and remove materials from their vehicles. Volunteers help us run efficiently and smoothly. Snacks, protective equipment, and training are provided!
View open dates and sign up to volunteer
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Upcoming Events
October
SCRAP Reuse Road Rally Fundraiser | Sunday, October 24
A scavenger hunt on wheels where participants solve clues to lead them to destinations around Ann Arbor. SCRAP is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. All funds raised are used to promote reuse, education, waste diversion, and creativity in our community. Registration open until October 17th.
Michigan’s recycling industry is more than ever being recognized as an essential service and part of the supply chain. With grant funding giving new life to existing programs and NextCycle Michigan growing new investment in needed infrastructure and end markets, the opportunities truly abound. Now is the time to bring progressive ideas about productive materials management forward. Join us to reengage with colleagues, share big ideas, and understand the evolving landscape to position yourself for success.
Click here for registration and more information.
November
WWRA Foam Recycling Weekend | Chelsea, MI | November 12-14
The Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority is holding a foam recycle weekend in Chelsea on November 12-14 at the WWRA bin site on Chelsea/Manchester Road near the fairgrounds. Hours are Friday noon to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Acceptable foam has the #6 recycling symbol and must be cleaned of food. No packing peanuts or construction foam board.
Click here for more information and the event flyer
December
EGLE's 2021 Great Lakes Virtual PFAS Summit | December 6-10
The goals of this virtual event are to provide the most current and reliable science and policy, facilitate information sharing, and explore current and future research topics related to PFAS. Participants may include: local, state, and federal government officials; environmental consultants and vendors; academic researchers and students; industry managing PFAS contamination; and community organizations.
Click here for more information and registration
Watershed & Stormwater Seminar
Tuesday, December 7 | Lansing, MI | In-person, 7:30AM - 3:45 PM
MWEA/MWF Member: $160 | Non-member: $250 | Students or retirees: $50
This seminar is held each year to connect Watershed professionals and give updates pertaining to Watershed and Stormwater protection. There is potential for a virtual event, yet to be announced.
Click here for more information and registration
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Partners in the News
Do you have a success story to share? Did your organization just start a new environmental, recycling or pollution prevention program and want a place to promote it? Share it with us at e2p2@washtenaw.org and you may see it on CTN, WEMU, on our Facebook page or in an upcoming newsletter.
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Thank you for everything you do to keep our environment and rivers clean!
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Copyright © 2018 Washtenaw County, All rights reserved.
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