Sustainable Bloomington logo.

Building, living and planning with sustainability in mind enhances Bloomington's natural resources and the city's competitive edge.

YOU can help improve our environment

Together we make a difference

You may think that you don't have the time or the resources to make much of a difference - but one person truly can help. Take a look at the resources listed below for steps you can take to improve the environment.

In your own home and yard
In your community
Tips for concerned citizens
Earth Action Heroes!
Learn the terms
Links to other websites

See also: The City is creating a more sustainable future

In your own home and yard

Buckthorn removal
Compact fluorescents
Composting
Conserving water
Energy efficiency
Energy saving ideas
Greenwashing is the act of falsely claiming that a product or service is " green. " This PDF offers tips for how you and your company can actually help care for the environment.
Lawn care tips
Limiting salt and other winter chemicals
Mercury
Phosphorus
Rain barrels
Rain gardens
Recycling and garbage
Stopping water where it drops
Water resources and wetlands

In your community

Adopt-A-Bit of Bloomington - and beautify our streets, waters and parks!
Development - long-range planning initiatives
Forestry
Green Notes Newsletter from Hennepin County
Paper or plastic (...or neither )? - weighing your alternatives at the checkout line
Public transit
Watershed districts
Wildlife

Tips for concerned citizens

Energy efficiency...
There has never been a better time to reduce your energy costs through improvements in energy efficiency. You may be eligible for grants or loans to complete the work.
Greenwashing...
Greenwashing is the act of falsely claiming that a product or service is " green. " This PDF offers advice about how you and your company can actually help care for the environment.
Avoiding mercury...
Once used in manufacturing, agriculture and other industries, mercury is now considered a dangerous pollutant. Learn more.

Earth Action Heroes!
Your neighbors, doing their part to improve the environment

Whether it's saving energy or guarding our precious natural resources, these individuals who make a difference in Bloomington have been featured in the Bloomington Briefing.

Solar power superstars (October 2011)
Master Recyclers (August 2011)
Prairie protectors (April 2011)
Quilting angels (February 2011)
The watershed warriors (December 2010)
Friends of the Farmers Market (October 2010)
The Creekside woodworkers (August 2010)
Thomas Avenue green thumbs (April 2010)
Cooking up a green kitchen (February 2010)
Meet the Green Garden Groupies (December 2009)
Chipotle's earth champion (October 2009)
Dwan's "green" keepers (August 2009)
Bridging’s Furniture Brigade (April 2009)
IKEA co-workers and conservationists February 2009)
494 Commuter Crusaders (December 2008)
Bloomington Public Schools make sustainability a priority (October 2008)
Longtime conservationists Burt and Audrey (August 2008)
Robin's rain garden (April 2008)
Energy-saving duo enjoy green home (December 2007)
Backyard Buckthorn Eliminators (October 2007)