Town of Morrisville, NC
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Sustainability Initiatives
To achieve true sustainability, we need to care for our planet, our resources, and our people. It requires a balance and an understanding of how environmental, economic, and social factors intersect to create a sustainable community for us all.
The Town of Morrisville is focusing on sustainable development as defined by one of the first reports of its kind to introduce the concept. The landmark 1987 United Nations and the World Commission on Environment and Development, the Brundtland Report, defined sustainable development as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
The Town's sustainability program promotes participation and collaboration in support of sustainable practices. The program supports the Town’s strategic plan in order to enrich the quality of life through the preservation of natural resources; develop programs that increase awareness of activities and opportunities for meaningful engagement; achieve operational excellence by maximizing the potential of available assets; and leverage the use of technology and innovation to maximize results.
Fiscal Year 2024 Update Just In!
On September 24, 2024, Sustainability Coordinator, Kimberly Conley presented Town Council with an update on the Town's Master Sustainability Plan, including programmatic actions, rebates and incentives expected, and fuel consumption as it relates to the stated MSP goals.
Our Beginnings
On June 28, 2022, Town Council officially adopted the Town's first Master Sustainability Plan (MSP).This plan serves includes 11 goals, 17 strategies, and 35 actions that staff will be working to accomplish in support of integrating sustainable practices within Town operations, programs, and policies, including facilities and fleet resources.
The MSP will serve as a roadmap for the Town’s sustainability program and will draw from both qualitative and quantitative data to define initiatives and projects that balance the environmental, social, and economic impacts of Town programs, policies, and operations. The MSP will focus on incorporating sustainable development while assessing opportunities through a social equity lens.
The MSP will align and work with existing internal teams that are directly involved with the strategic plan, as well as committees such as the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee (MESC), whose work intersects the key focus areas.
The MSP also serves as an opportunity to engage residents, business owners, non-profit leaders, and community groups to join this important work for the betterment of our collective community. The actions within this engagement will also serve as an opportunity to listen and learn from the Morrisville community on the initiatives that are most important to them.
Primary topic areas include:
- Energy and Water
- Waste and Recycling
- Natural Environment
- Built Environment
- Transportation
- Greenhouse gas Emissions
Community members can track the success and progress of the program through the Sustainability Dashboard below:
Smart Morrisville
Smart Morrisville is a Smart City plan that further positions the Town to seek data-driven, community-focused, and future-forward solutions. The vision of Smart Morrisville is to create sustainable, community-driven, technology-enabled innovation to enhance the quality of life in Morrisville both now and in the future.
The plan identified the need for several initiatives, including the implementation of a solar array, additional EV infrastructure, and a building automation system to more effectively manage energy. Smart Morrisville is also being used to proactively monitor the Town’s core facilities. Please visit our Open Data Portal for more information on these projects, including real-time data on facilities usage.
Initiatives
The Town is involved with several initiatives to encourage sustainable practices, both within Town-owned properties and facilities and within residential areas. Click one of the buttons below to learn more about ongoing projects, changes to Town facilities, and opportunities to get involved. Additional information on recycling, including compost efforts and fats, oils, and grease collection can be found on the Public Works pages.