op: a "green" tradition
You can make a difference
Overland Park is dedicated to protecting our environment and ensuring its future for our children. Consider the many initiatives undertaken by your city:
In 1980, Overland Park earned its first Tree City USA designation given to communities that plant trees and promote tree-planting efforts by others. We have been a recipient of this award for 29 consecutive years. It began with a simple slogan: Plant a Tree, Cool the City
In 1988, the Parks and Recreation Department began using park benches, picnic table, toilet partitions, playground equipment and parking blocks made from recycled plastic. This is a practice that continues today.
In 1990, Overland Park launched the metropolitan area’s first volunteer curbside recycling and compost collection program to reduce demand on limited landfill space.
JoCo residents can dispose of household paint, oil and other chemicals free. Appointments needed: 913/715-6900
Also during the 1990s, we:
- Converted a city vehicle to natural gas;
- Developed an all-electric pickup in a partnership with Shawnee Mission West High School;
- Installed solar-powered parking lights at Overland Park Golf Course;
- Started an annual drop-off program for Christmas trees to be recycled and used as mulch in city parks;
- Began replacing traffic signals with light emitting diodes (LEDs), which have a longer life than a standard light bulb and reduce maintenance costs while reducing electrical consumption by 90 percent;
- Installed passive solar and geothermal systems at the Environmental Education Visitors Center (EEVC) at the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens to keep the building warm;
- Organized a “Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream” program in which local Scout and neighborhood groups stenciled the message on storm inlets to remind all of the impact of contaminated water runoff.
If every American replaced just one light bulb with a
compact fluorescent light bulb, we would save enough energy
to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year.
By 2001, after a comprehensive review of energy conservation opportunities in city buildings, we were able to reduce overall energy usage by more than 17percent. At City Hall, we reduced energy usage by more than 37 percent.
In 2001, Overland Park was one of the first cities in the United States to use a hybrid vehicle in a city fleet. Our fleet today includes 18 hybrid vehicles, and more that use bi-fuel technology. Bio-diesel fuel (diesel fuel incorporating 20 percent natural oils like soybean oil) is used in all city diesel-powered vehicles.
Driving without speeding and fewer stops saves fuel and
lowers emissions. If US drivers would observe the speed limit,
71 tons of pollutants would not be emitted.
In 2002, the city council passed an ordinance to protect stream corridors along development projects.
In 2002, we began to burn used motor oil for heat in portions of our Public Works maintenance facilities. This helps reduce demand for natural gas and eliminates the cost of recycling the oil.
In 2004, Overland Park initiated a one-day drop-off electronics recycling program for PCs, TVs, cell phones and other items. Since then, seven more of these events have been held, diverting more than 310,000 pounds of unwanted and outdated electronics.
In 2006, the city began distributing a once monthly e-newsletter called "Environmental News." It features environmental events and encouraging stories that highlight initiatives around our community. You can sign up for this and other e-newsletters online.
In 2006, the city passed a stormwater pollution ordinance followed by a stormwater treatment ordinance in 2007. Additionally, the city has initiated a number of programs to protect water quality and stream integrity.
You can report stormwater pollution in Overland Park
online or call Community Services at 913/895-6270.
In 2007, the Matt Ross Community Center opened. The building includes many of today’s environmental technologies, including carpet made with recycled material; low-flow faucets and toilets; a reflective roof to reduce heat gain; high-efficiency lighting; and automatic temperature control.
In 2007, a new stormwater treatment ordinance was approved by the City Council. It significantly changes how storm water is managed in future development. Instead of piping untreated storm water into ponds, lakes and streams, waste will be filtered through man-made “green infrastructure” facilities like bioretention areas, wetlands, rain gardens, and more.
In 2007, more than 400 youth and adult volunteers participated in the annual Stream Clean Day to remove trash and debris from our city’s waterways. The program occurs every year in the spring.
In 2007, the city held its first Bike to Work Week, which encourages employees and residents to consider alternative transportation, such as riding or walking your bike to work.
In 2007, the first annual Green Scene festival was held where more than 2,100 people attended. The event was held outdoors at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, and featured booths and hands-on exhibits that outlined what the city is doing and what residents can do to protect water, air quality and natural resources. In 2008, it will be held Friday, June 20.
In 2008, Overland Park conducted its first two paper shredding events. About 53,000 pounds pounds of confidential documents were safely destroyed and recycled.
In May 2008, the city began selling reusable bags. The bags are green with the city logo on the front. They are made from recycled plastic and are 13 x 15 x 10 with a heavy duty strap to carry bigger items.
Other environmental initiatives include:
- Solar-powered lavatory water actuators in park restrooms;
- Waterless urinals in park restrooms, resulting in water savings;
- Low-voltage, energy-efficient lighting at the Downtown Overland Park clock tower;
- More than 570 trees and 1,200 shrubs planted in parks and along trails and thoroughfares.
Our Information Technology Department recycles nearly 
everything from the packaging used to ship computers, including cardboard and Styrofoam.
A certified IT hardware recycler removes toxic and hazardous materials from PCs and monitors before we dispose of them.
By far the best way to minimize impact on the environment from a personal computer is to extend its useful life, and IT is doing just that. It has been estimated that the amount of raw material necessary to build a desktop computer and 17-inch monitor is equivalent to the amount required to build a mid-sized car, but the life span of a car is about 10 years and that of a PC is three to four years.
A typical personal computer can use more than 150 watts
of power and result in more than 1,500 pounds of CO2
being released in the atmosphere.
In 2008, IT is implementing a PC power management strategy for PCs to go into sleep mode. This may amount to an estimated annual savings of about $25,000 and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 340,000 pounds each year.
Our golf course maintenance division works with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary to protect the environment. We are increasing the use of organic fertilizers and “no mow” areas, creating natural habitat for wildlife, using no drinkable water to irrigate golf courses, and selecting turf that is disease-and drought resistant.
Mow it tall – keep grass length at 3 to 4 inches. Too short
grass is less healthy and requires more water.
Want to know what else OP is doing to
help the environment?
Contact Lisa Cox at 913/895-6172
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