Sustainability & Natural Resources

Sustainability in Hutchinson

The City of Hutchinson values its many natural resources and is committed to protecting, preserving, and restoring the environment for its citizens and future generations.  We seek to promote environmental awareness and responsibility in all areas of city business.

Hutchinson Sustainability Advisory Board

In order to advance environmental sustainability, the City Council created the Hutchinson Sustainability Advisory Board in 2019.  The board is composed of citizen members, a representative from Hutchinson Utilities Commission, and a City Council representative.  The board’s purpose is to advise the City Council concerning environmental issues and initiatives facing the city that include:

• Advise and make recommendations to the City Council and identify the highest priorities for the city government and citizens to achieve sustainable management of natural resources – water, urban forests, and energy in particular – and shall recommend to the City Council goals to achieve and workable means to reach such goals.
• Provide input to the City Council and city staff as to the continued use and environmentally-friendly manufacturing of compost and other products produced at Creekside Soils, the City’s composting facility.
• To help oversee the City’s urban forest tree program and to review and make recommendations as to the present and future needs of the City’s urban forest and to make recommendations as to tree management, including amendments to the Hutchinson City Code.
• To advise the City Council as to resource and energy reduction measures in city buildings and operations.
• To promote the City’s continued participation in programs such as Tree City USA, GreenStep cities, and the SolSmart Designation.

Take Action

Here are five low-to no-cost actions you can take to reduce your environmental impact and support the community in a sustainable way.

1. Have a more efficient home.  The best way to reduce energy use at home is to leave lights off, seal up air leaks, replace lighting with higher efficiency LEDs, just to name a few.  Visit the Hutchinson Utility Commission’s energy efficiency page for ideas and rebates.
2. Reduce your energy use.  According to the Regional Indicators Initiative, electricity and natural gas accounted for nearly 90% of Hutchinson’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions.  The US Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68°F  in the winter while you’re awake and lowering it while you’re asleep or away from home.  In the summer, set it to 78°F and higher when you’re away.  Use a programmable thermostat so you don’t have to worry about it.
3. Buy locally made products.  Local shops return three times more money per dollar spent back into the local economy than chain competitors.  The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce has a list of local shops and restaurants so you can help support local, small businesses.
4. Plant native flowers and grasses.  Native plants need 50% less water than other species, while providing habitat for pollinators.  Learn about how to turn your lawn from turf grass to habitat and other gardening resources at the McLeod Meeker Master Gardeners page.
5. Compost your food waste.  Food is 20% of what’s in Minnesota’s trash and the majority of that food could have been eaten donated.  Reducing food waste could save a family of four over $1,000 every year.  Other food waste can be composted through the city’s organic collection program.  Learn how you can compost wasted food at the City of Hutchinson Food Scraps and Yard Waste Collection Program website.