On Greenovate, Dominique's goal is to revitalize the once popular neighborhood in which he is also a resident by greening as many homes as possible, making their value and demand skyrocket. Want to green your own neighborhood but aren't sure how? Here are some tips:
1. Organize a community garage sale. Work with your neighbors to set up a super sale of their unwanted but reusable items. If interest is great enough, make this a biannual event so your merchandise can be seasonal. This way you are sure to keep goodies out of the garbage, preventing your buyers from unnecessarily and wastefully purchasing new items. Arrange for any leftover items to be transported to a local thrift store at the end of the event.
2. Create an e-newsletter to keep people updated and motivated. Keep people abreast of when recycling days are, what bills are about to be passed that affect the environment, new green updates they can install, rebates they can take advantage of, your own recycling initiatives, community stories of going green, and more.
3. Carpool to work and school. Develop a carpooling network in your neighborhood that will both save the environment and some cash also. Sharing transportation responsibilities and costs with the folks who live around you just makes good sense. An added bonus for people who live in metropolitan areas is access to the carpool lane. The time savings alone may be incentive enough to get the even the most anti-social neighbors involved.
4. Organize a community garden . If you have a vacant lot in your area that you believe would be perfect for a garden, contact your local officials to get the space transformed from an empty lot to a green spot. Get your neighbors on board with the plan early on so the powers that be know there is demand for a garden. If you live in an area with no available lots for a communal space, start a garden club. Get your neighbors excited about planting their own individual gardens. Gather the green thumbs just before planting seasons to arrange for bulk purchases of seeds and other supplies. When it's time to harvest, organize another event to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
