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John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer

Welcome to your hub for all things sustainable and resilient in Worcester!

Our work is informed by the Green Worcester Plan, completed in 2021, which is a roadmap for making Worcester the greenest mid-sized city in the country.

Achieving the Green Worcester Plan goals requires a community-wide effort. From waste reduction and home energy efficiency to nurturing newly planted trees, there's a role for everyone in creating a greener future together. Here you will find information about what the City is doing and what you can do to!

Since 2021, the Department of Sustainability & Resilience has been working collaboratively with the community and other departments to implement many of Green Worcester Plan goals via new policies, projects and initiatives, while encouraging action at the community level as well.

Sustainability & Resilience Programs

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Yellow Trash Bags and Empty Green Recycling Bins Along the Curb of a City Street

Zero Waste

We're committed to a Zero Waste future and currently, our main priority is developing our City's first Zero Waste Master Plan. Check out our current projects, resources, and how to get involved!

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Group of People Planting Trees and Plants in Dirt at McGrath Parking Lot Miyawaki Forest

Resilience

Worcester is working on developing a deep understanding of climate change impacts in our city and building resilient solutions to them - be it extreme heat, street flooding from flash floods or snow and ice storms. Check out our projects, resources and how you can get involved!
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Lake Quinsigamond at Regatta Beach

Lakes & Ponds

We envision a Worcester where all of our waterways are clean and healthy, safe for their designated recreational uses and accessible to all residents. The Lakes and Ponds Program's mission since 2016 is to monitor and manage our waterways for environmental threats, to protect their recreational value and preserve ecological services.

Meetings & Events

16
June
Monday, 5:30 pm

Green Worcester Advisory Committee

City Hall, Esther Howland Chamber, 455 Main Street
21
June
Saturday, 9:00 am

Coes Reservoir Water Chestnut Pull

Binienda Beach, 200 Mill Street
28
June
Saturday, 9:00 am

Lake Quinsigamond Water Chestnut Pull

Gauch Park, 61 Main Street, Shrewsbury

Green Worcester Plan

Collage of Solar Panels, Green Spaces and Windmills

The Green Worcester Plan is a roadmap to making Worcester one of the most sustainable and climate-resilient mid-sized cities in America by 2050!

Green Worcester is a city in which government, residents, businesses, and institutions work together in shared stewardship and mutual care of our city and our planet. We will do this by efficiently and wisely using our resources to minimize impact on our environment while creating a more livable, prosperous, and equitable city.

Learn More

Check Out the 2024 Green Worcester Plan Annual Report

Energy Related Initiatives & Projects

Smart Energy Advice

Green Worcester Electricity Logo with City Skyline Graphic

New Service: Book a no-cost, 30 minute appointment with our Energy Advocate and talk about your energy questions and get advice about how to access energy saving programs.

Vehicle Electrification

Electric Vehicle at Charging Station

We're electrifying our municipal fleet and installing electric vehicle chargers in garages, parking lots, and on-street locations making it easier for Worcester residents and visitors to go electric.

Municipal Aggregation

Powerlines and Transformers During Sunset

The Green Worcester ElectriCITY Municipal Aggregation Program offers its residents and businesses price stability and greater control over the environmental characteristics of their electricity supply.

Specialized Stretch Energy Building Code

Framing of New Construction House

This opt-in code will help our city meet our commitments of becoming the greenest mid-sized city in the country and becoming a net-zero city by 2045 per the Green Worcester Plan.

Sustainability & Resilience StoryMaps

Climate StoryMap

StoryMaps are easy-to-use, interactive web applications created by City of Worcester staff to share information about a specific location, topic or project. Explore our Sustainability and Resilience related StoryMaps below.

Climate Resilience in Worcester
Miyawaki Forests
CoolPockets

Green Worcester Dashboard

Green Worcester Logo Over Image of Worcester City Scape

Green Worcester is all about making Worcester one of the most sustainable and climate-resilient mid-sized cities in America by 2050. City leadership collaborates with partners across the city, including residents, institutions, businesses, nonprofits and others to make it happen. Learn more on the Green Worcester Dashboard website.

Learn More

Municipal Solar Projects at Work!

 

*From the 19 municipal solar projects since 2011, and more being built now. Learn More!

Green Worcester Summit: Building Resilience, Together

A video series from the Green Worcester Summit held on May 11, 2024.

Watch Now!

Contact Information

Address

Sustainability and Resilience
51 Sever Street Worcester, MA 01609
Mailing Address: 455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Contact

Phone: 508-799-8324
Email Us
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Hours

By Appointment
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.