Beachwood pursues Power of Clean Future Ohio membership, LEED certification and recycling fixes

Council member Stern told the committee the city has begun organizing an internal sustainability planning committee and is pursuing membership in Power of Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) and municipal LEED certification as first steps. "This really is the 1st step in joint for implementing sustainability efforts on a municipal level," Stern said, noting other cities have experience the city can draw on.

Stern outlined efforts to audit waste and recycling practices with partners such as Rust Belt Riders and named specific contamination sources: "Some of the items that are the biggest culprits are plastic bags, plastic shopping bags, as well as plastic wrapping on items." She said the group is exploring resident education, possible events around Earth Day (tentatively April 11) and longer-term capital projects such as solar or EV fleet purchases, while noting capital costs are a limiting factor. Stern credited resident Ruth Jacob and local volunteers for initiating much of the committee's work.