Published on December 20, 2024
With the holiday season upon us and 2025 knocking at the door, we hope you can take a moment to consider sustainable options during this busy time of year! We have exciting news about a regional bike share grant awarded to Superior, as well as some winter guidance to make your events, gift-giving, holiday decorations and snow removal as green as possible.
As always, thanks for being a part of making Superior a sustainable, resilient, and vibrant community!
-Town of Superior Sustainability Staff
The Colorado Energy Office and Community Access Enterprise have awarded a $1.5 million grant to begin an electric bike share program in Superior, Broomfield, Westminster, Lafayette, Longmont and Boulder County.
The three-year grant will allow the selected communities to launch a local electric bike-share system while collaborating on its regional implementation. It will provide initial funding for the capital and operations costs and support public outreach and education efforts. The system will allow patrons to check out an e-bike and travel within and between the communities and facilitate access to public transportation!
A bike share vendor will be selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Local systems may be phased in during the three-year grant contract, with the goal of initiating the first local system in 2025.
A huge thank you to Commuting Solutions for being an instrumental partner in making this project a reality. We hope to provide more details as the program is implemented, so stay tuned! Please read more about the initiative in this press release.
Did you know Americans create 25% more trash during the holidays? With gift-giving holidays right around the corner, keep some of these sustainability tips in mind as you plan gifts and events for your loved ones:
- Most wrapping paper from the store isn't recyclable, so use sustainable gift wrap made of things you might already have at home! You can create unique and reusable wrappings with things like newspaper comics, decorated paper shopping bags, or pretty, clean fabrics.
- To reduce food waste, use this Guestimator tool to estimate how much food you will need for your holiday event.
- Make sure you know the best way to recycle holiday waste. Here's a handy guide:
Have additional questions on where facilities are located or where to take holiday waste items? Eco-Cycle has created a short and handy guide that includes waste reduction advice, green giving ideas, alternatives to wasteful wrapping paper and more! Check out page 2 to see where some less common items can be recycled.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
For 26 years, Scouts have recycled Christmas trees in Louisville and Superior. This year's event is being coordinated by Troop 69. This service assists the community by picking up Christmas trees for safe and responsible disposal after the holiday. It keeps the trees out of landfills and provides an important community service. Last Christmas, they collected over 450 trees!
The signup deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025
If you miss the Scouts' collection event or want to recycle your tree earlier, you can bring your tree (free of ornaments, tinsel, and decorations) to the Superior Yard Waste Site (2125 Honey Creek Lane). It will be open every day from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for Superior residents, and the collected trees will be made into mulch or compost (preventing the greenhouse gases associated with landfilling trees).
How do we protect both people and waterways after winter storms? Deicers are a useful tool that help keep walkways and driveways safe when there is snow and ice but are harmful to aquatic life in large quantities. Melting snow will carry deicers and other pollutants into storm drains, which drain directly to nearby streams without any treatment.
What can I do at home?
Shovel snow from sidewalks onto vegetated areas so it can soak into the ground instead of flowing onto the street. If using a deicer, apply according to instructions as soon as snowy or icy conditions appear. Deicers help break the bond between ice and pavement to make shoveling easier. They do not evaporate the snow and ice, so adding more does not eliminate the need to shovel. Also, remember to pickup pet waste to prevent bacteria and nutrients from being carried away by melting snow!
If you are physically and financially unable to remove snow or would like to help your neighbors, check out the volunteer-led Superior Snow Busters program!
BeeChicas Present:Common Ground Thursday, Jan. 9 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Canyon Theater 1000 Canyon Blvd., Boulder
This film highlights farmers adopting regenerative agricultural models to improve the climate, enhance health, and stabilize America's economy.
Reducing Microplastics in Your Home | What to know Thursday, Jan. 9 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Virtual Event Join The Tribalist for an informative online event where we will discuss practical tips on reducing microplastics in your home.
Agrivoltaic Seminar Series: #7 Conservation & Biodiversity Thursday, Jan. 23 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dairy Arts Center 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder
Join us for this free seminar series on agrivoltaics - the coupling of solar panels and land stewardship activities.
Sustainable Couture: A Fashion Upcycle Sunday, Jan. 26 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fleming Mansion 1510 South Grant Street, Denver
Support local designers, contribute to a more sustainable future and be part of the fashion revolution!
Areyou enjoying the Sustainability newsletter? Did you know the Town also sends a Historical Commission, Parks, Recreation & Open Space and Superior Sentinel newsletter? You can also subscribe to receive Superior Community Center updates, Town Board information and more. For more information and to view your preferences, visit the Town's email and text messages subscription page.