Get Involved

Join the City of Kettering’s Sustainability Committee, a team of dedicated volunteers willing to serve as an advisory body for sustainability practices and initiatives in the City. The scope of the Sustainability Committee will include research, discussion, written communication, and advocacy. Click here to apply and for more information.

The City invites you to visit the Habitat Environmental Center located at 3036 Bellflower Street, Kettering, Ohio.  This is where many of the City’s environmental classes will take place. Check out the great new playground and walking trails around the Center.

If you like to be outside and would like to bring the love of nature to others, consider volunteering for the Kettering Parks Habitat Environmental Education staff. For more information, call the Habitat Environmental Center at (937) 296-2477 or contact the volunteer office at (937) 296-2433 or KetteringVolunteer@Ketteringoh.org.

Get outside and spend time at any of the 22 parks spread throughout the City of Kettering. Click these links for more information on Kettering's parks and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department.

Gasoline-fueled vehicles contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions. The average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, which is nearly a pound of carbon dioxide for every single mile you drive. By taking public transportation, carpooling, driving electric vehicles, biking or walking, or other alternative methods of transportation, you are reducing emissions and saving money. Read more about sustainable transportation on our Transportation page.

Recycling is a great way to give your waste another life outside of its original use. Check out our Recycling page to read about what is accepted, where to drop off recycling in the City of Kettering, the Hefty ReNew Program, and more.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling and is another great way to divert organic waste from the landfill. Read more about how to start composting at home and composting initiatives in the City of Kettering on our Composting page.

Reducing water usage and using water more efficiently will save you money and ensure reliable water supplies for the future. Try taking shorter showers, turning off the sink while brushing your teeth, not letting the sink run the entire time you’re washing dishes, and replacing inefficient appliances. Small household leaks can add up to gallons of water lost every day, so make sure to fix household leaks as they occur.

Nearly half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. Try using a programmable or smart thermostat, or keep your thermostat set colder in the winter and warmer in the summer to reduce heating and cooling costs. Switching to LED lighting uses at least 75% less energy and lasts up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. About 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes towards heating the water, so washing on cold significantly reduces energy and even washing your laundry on warm instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half. Read more about sustainable energy use in the City of Kettering on our Energy page.

Switching to renewable energy is a key way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dynegy is the new electric aggregation provider for the City of Kettering, and they offer an opt-in renewable energy option for all residents at a very similar price. To opt-in for 100% renewable energy, please call Dynegy directly at 888-682-2170.

Reducing single-use not only reduces waste but also promotes reuse. Consider packing your lunch with containers or reusable materials rather than plastic bags. Saving your old food and sauce jars, washing them out, and repurposing them is another great habit. Instead of using a ton of plastic bags at the store each week, try bringing a few reusable bags to the grocery store.

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them essential for maintaining and building sustainable ecosystems. Native plants can require less fertilizer, pesticides, and water than lawns. They can help prevent erosion, help reduce air pollution, provide shelter and food for pollinators, and increase biodiversity in our surroundings. Check out Dayton Area Wild Ones for information on local native plant sales and native plant businesses.

Local businesses help support the local economy and community, and can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing external supply chains. Explore Kettering and support local businesses!