~ Springfield Mayor Ken McClure has issued a challenge to the community for a cleaner and greener Springfield by 2025. The initiative, known as Clean Green Springfield, is part of the city's comprehensive plan, Forward SGF.

This year marks the 5th anniversary of Clean Green Springfield, which has mobilized over 1000 volunteers annually since its inception in 2021. These volunteers have helped pick up litter, plant trees and flowers, and complete other projects to improve the city's appearance.

In addition to this milestone, 2025 also marks the 50th birthday of Springfield's Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill. As one of the few cities in Missouri that owns and operates its own landfill, this publicly owned facility plays a crucial role in the community's waste management strategy. It provides a local solution for trash disposal, eliminating the need to transport waste over 60 miles to another facility. Furthermore, all revenue generated from the landfill is reinvested into community services such as recycling drop-off sites, the Yardwaste Recycling Center, and the Household Chemical Collection Center. The landfill also maintains some of the lowest tipping fees in the state, offering significant savings potential for local businesses and residents. Owning their own landfill gives Springfield a distinct advantage in ensuring a reliable and cost-effective approach to waste management for years to come.

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However, with an increasing amount of trash being received daily at Noble Hill Landfill, its lifespan is rapidly shrinking. To address this issue, Mayor McClure emphasizes the importance of diverting waste from the landfill through improved recycling efforts.

"The Noble Hill landfill is a vital asset to our community, but its space for waste disposal is limited," said Errin Kemper, Director of Environmental Services. "To make the most of this resource, it's essential that we learn more about what's in Springfield's trash. By improving recycling efforts and diverting more material from the landfill, we can reduce pressure on the facility and improve the services we offer. Understanding the makeup of our waste will help us provide more effective solutions for the community."

To achieve this goal, the city has recently completed a citizen trash and recycling survey and will be conducting a waste characterization study in the near future.

"We want to understand the challenges our community faces with recycling and trash disposal," Kemper explained. "There are barriers to recycling, and the city is working to improve participation. We're also hearing from neighborhoods about issues with trash disposal, including household waste and bulky items being left in backyards or dumped in alleyways. This not only makes our community look bad but is also harmful to the environment."

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In 2026, Springfield will be in the spotlight as it kicks off the 100th anniversary of being known as the Birthplace of Route 66. The FIFA World Cup will also take place in nearby Kansas City, and the entire country will be celebrating America's 250th birthday.

To achieve a cleaner and greener Springfield by 2025, Mayor McClure is calling on all residents to join in on this effort. He encourages everyone to start cleaning up litter whenever they are out and about by bringing a bag with them. The city will also be providing opportunities for residents to get involved through volunteer litter pick-ups, neighborhood cleanups, beautification projects, and more.

"We want everyone to stay engaged this spring by participating in Clean Green Springfield activities," said Kemper. "This includes taking part in our Neat Neighborhoods Competition, checking neighborhood cleanup schedules, and taking up Mayor McClure's official challenge."

Residents can also share their progress by reporting how many pieces of litter they have collected through the city's communication channels or during the formal launch of Clean Green Springfield 2025.

With major events on the horizon for Springfield, it is crucial for residents to come together and make a conscious effort towards a cleaner and greener city. By working together, the community can achieve Mayor McClure's challenge and make Springfield a shining example of environmental responsibility.

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