Organization asks Valley communities to go green

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s not just about the environment, it’s about saving money.

That’s the theme underlying Eastgate Regional Council of Government’s proposal to communities to sign or support a regional Green Pact.

The pact urges government officials to consider the environmental impact of their decisions, but does not obligate them under law to any restrictions.

“The language is soft, and the communities that sign are saying that they support these goals,” said Rachel McCartney of Eastgate.

Eastgate is an entity that distributes funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation, state infrastructure agencies and federal highway systems to local projects.

“The perception can be that signing it will cost the communities money, which is false,” McCartney said. “But if they do take the steps listed in the pact, in the long run, they will actually save.”

The Green Pact addresses issues such as encouraging the purchase of recycled products in administrative buildings, reducing waste and lowering emissions from government vehicles.

Several Trumbull County communities have signed or passed resolutions in support of the Green Pact and some, like Liberty Township, already had an environmental program in place.

“We have an environmental action committee to review things that we’ve accomplished and to look at new projects,” said Trustee Jodi Stoyak.

One improvement that Stoyak thinks will make a big difference, and is aligned with Green Pact goals, is the township’s decision to have just one trash company.

“There will only be one truck once a week so emissions are reduced, and there’s free recycling that residents don’t even have to sort — just put it all in a recycling bucket — so the amount of trash will be reduced, too,” she said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.