Climate Action 2050 Webinar
Milwaukee County residents - Milwaukee County is developing a bold plan to achieve carbon neutral operations (zero net emissions) by 2050. Join us for this one-hour, interactive webinar on Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023 at 5:30 pm to learn about the local impacts of climate change, and how you can help shape the County's climate action plan. Call in option available. Find out more.
Newsletter
The latest Sustainability Update features news about the Milwaukee County's Climate Action 2050 Plan, including how county residents can help shape the plan. The newsletter highlights findings from a recent climate change vulnerability assessment, and describes efforts to reduce emissions from the new Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center. Read the newsletter.
Share Your Voice
Milwaukee County residents - can you spare five minutes to share how climate change impacts you? Please take this brief survey from the County's Sustainability Task Force. Milwaukee County will use the survey results to help ensure the Climate Action 2050 Plan reflects residents' diverse interests, needs and priorities. To begin, select your preferred language: English | Spanish | Hmong |
Programs & Services
Green Jobs
The Office of Sustainability is excited to launch a new, $1.9 million, ARPA-funded program to improve the efficiency of Milwaukee County buildings while creating career pathways for area youth. Beginning in 2023, the Lighting Jobs Program will provide training and job experiences for Milwaukee County high school students who are interested in careers in the skilled trades. Students selected for the program will work closely with Milwaukee County staff and contractors to survey and recommend interior lighting upgrades in county buildings. To the extent possible, students will also assist Milwaukee County with completing the required electrical work. The program aims to not only save energy and reduce emissions, but also to dismantle barriers to entering the trades - particularly for low- to moderate-income households, women, and Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Resource Management
Solid waste diversion conserves natural resources, reduces pollution, and supports approximately 97,000 jobs in Wisconsin (source: Recycle More Wisconsin). The Office of Sustainability strives to reduce, reuse, or recycle solid waste generated from Milwaukee County operations. We work with Architecture, Engineering, and Environmental Services to achieve 50 percent or greater waste diversion for the County’s new construction and major renovation projects. During 2019, we coordinated development of a waste minimization plan for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. In 2022, per the County Board's request, we developed a new administrative policy to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic products and polystyrene from Milwaukee County properties. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, all new or renewed county contracts incorporate contract language that requires vendors to adhere to this policy.
Alternative Transportation
The Office of Sustainability supports and promotes efficient and safe alternatives to automobile travel, including carpooling, taking public transit, bicycling and walking. Since 2014, we have hosted an annual Bike to Work Day for Milwaukee County employees. During 2015 to 2017, we hosted a workplace bicycling challenge with UWM, MMSD, Marquette University, Alverno College, MATC and Froedtert Health that grew to over 250 participants. In 2017, from May to September, bike challenge participants pedaled a total of 164,670 miles and accrued the third-most points of any National Bike Challenge league. During 2019, we helped Milwaukee Transport Services study facility improvements and/or modifications that will be necessary to support a fleet of battery-electric buses.