In Detroit’s Riverbend neighborhood, Sanctuary Farms and Midtown Composting & Recycling Co. are pioneering efforts to transform food waste into nutrient-rich soil, empowering communities to embrace sustainable practices. Across Michigan, similar initiatives are emerging, as cities and schools launch programs to divert food scraps and reduce landfill reliance.
Posted inNews
House proposal threatens solar tax credits. Install now, experts say.
With federal solar tax credits on the chopping block, millions face losing access to affordable solar power, threatening a sharp decline in residential solar capacity.
Posted inDeep Dives
Rotting food, rising heat: How Michigan’s landfills help drive methane pollution
Michigan ranks 8th in the nation for landfilled food waste, contributing to climate-warming methane emissions. A 2023 law now requires counties to develop organic material recovery plans, aiming to curb this environmental impact.
Posted inDeep Dives
Play Planet Detroit’s food waste game
Do you want to know the climate impact of your food waste choices? Play our game to learn how you can have the greatest impact on the planet-warming effects of wasted food.
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Michigan biodigester bills raise water pollution concerns: ‘Health and tourism disaster’
Environmental advocates in Michigan are raising alarms over proposed legislation that could deregulate digestate, a biogas byproduct, citing risks of groundwater contamination and legal violations.
Posted inVoices
VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let’s make sure it’s done right.
Michigan leads the nation by mandating lead-removing filters in school drinking water, empowering families to scrutinize their school’s Drinking Water Management Plan.
Posted inNews
Allergies, meet climate change: ‘April was a pretty bad month’
Detroiters with allergies are feeling the impact of climate change, as the city’s pollen season has grown by 31 days since 1970, exacerbating allergy symptoms. Remedies favored by allergists include closing windows; showering and changing clothes after outdoor activities; and using nasal sprays and eye drops.
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Detroiters face DTE shutoffs as funding for utility assistance runs out, rates go up
In Detroit, high utility bills and scarce assistance have left residents like Tanisha Humphrey grappling with disconnections. DTE Energy reports shutting off 211,647 customers for nonpayment last year.
Posted inCommunity
Café y Chisme No. 6: Samantha Cerwin’s Detroit fashion startup has sustainable twist
Samantha Cerwin, founder of BeReworn, launched a sustainable fashion platform with support from TechTown and Venture 313 that fosters community connections through events and forums.
Posted inCommunity
Balancing safety and community in Southwest Detroit: Lessons from Clark Park’s revitalization
In Southwest Detroit, Clark Park stands as a testament to community resilience, evolving from a site of drug activity and violence into a vibrant neighborhood hub. This transformation, driven by grassroots initiatives and city collaborations, highlights the power of community-centered policing, though it sparks debate over police roles in public spaces.