Draft Environmental Policy for Villages, Towns & Cities

"The (Town, Village, City) of _________, recognizing the responsibility of governmental institutions to address issues of climate change, sustainability, environmental health and economic well-being at a local level, and to fulfill its mission to protect, maintain and improve the quality of life for all residents, hereby adopts the following policy:

1. Energy: We endeavor to reduce our use of non-renewable energy sources through conservation, and to utilize renewable energy sources when practical.
2. Procurement: We seek to purchase goods or services that reduce the use of energy and pollution in their manufacture, use and disposal; have lower transportation costs; contain sustainable and/or bio-based ingredients; do not contain ingredients known to be harmful to humans; and that are shipped in biodegradable or recyclable packaging.
3. Green Cleaning: We endeavor to clean and maintain town facilities with products that are free from known or suspected toxins.
4. Sustainable Building and Development: We encourage the preservation of open space, the renovation of existing structures over virgin development, and the construction of residential, commercial and institutional structures which reduce their impact on the environment.
5. Land Management: We endeavor to manage our town-owned land so as to maximize the natural recycling of materials and minimize environmental pollution.
6. Water Conservation: We encourage the careful conservation and protection of our water supply.
7. Transportation: We seek ways to minimize the environmental impact of our transportation system, encourage the use of alternative transportation modes and sustainable fuels, reduce or eliminate pollution from town-owned vehicles and reduce idling of all motor vehicles.
8. Recycling: We seek to encourage and support recycling of materials at town facilities and among our residents.
9. Environmental Toxins: We endeavor to reduce exposure to environmental toxins through the collection and proper disposal of hazardous material, and through similar measures.
10. Communications: We seek to inform our residents of this and all other environmental policies and programs through written and electronic communications.