SBN Detroit

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Sustainability is shaping business, policy, and community impact. In Detroit, air quality remains a key concern, with the metro area ranking 13th worst in the nation for annual particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2024 ‘State of the Air’ report (Planet Detroit). At the same time, organizations are taking action. Deloitte’s 2024 Sustainability Action Report found that 98% of executives nationwide have reported progress on their sustainability goals. Let’s open the conversation. Drop your thoughts below. #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #detroitwindsor #detroit #repaircafe #sustainability #detroit #climateaction #businessimpact #environmentaljustice #cleantech #policychange #airquality #corporateresponsibility #sustainabledevelopment #greenbusiness #communityimpact #economicgrowth #renewableenergy #planetdetroit #futureofwork

“Our mission is to transform waste into opportunity.” – Chris Rutherford, executive director, Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit takes a holistic approach to sustainability, benefiting the environment, community, and local economy. Unlike traditional demolition, their deconstruction process salvages 80-90% of building materials, significantly reducing landfill waste while preserving valuable resources. Since the construction and demolition industry is a major contributor to global waste, their work promotes a circular economy, keeping materials in use instead of discarding them. Through their Community Uplift Program, they provide low-cost and no-cost building materials to Detroit families, helping stabilize neighborhoods and prevent home demolitions. Additionally, by collaborating with local makers, designers, and architects, they support small businesses that repurpose salvaged materials, driving innovation in sustainable design. Watch the video to learn more. #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #sustainabledetroit #circulareconomy #deconstruction #reclaimedmaterials #zerowaste #detroitmakers #greenbuilding #salvagedesign #upcycled #communityimpact #detroitnonprofit #urbanrevitalization #historicpreservation #localinnovation #sustainablefuture #detroit #southeastmichigan #aswdetroit

#CommitteeMemberSpotlight Dr. Donna Kashian, professor of biology and director of Environmental Sciences at Wayne State University, is leading efforts with Dr. Anneke Smit, associate professor, University of Windsor Law, to advance sustainability education in the Detroit-Windsor region. In April 2022, Wayne State University and the University of Windsor were designated as a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development. This designation connects educational institutions, businesses, governments, and community organizations to collaborate on sustainability education and implementation at a regional level. Kashian, Smit, and their teams are working to foster cross-border collaboration and promote environmental initiatives that align with global sustainability goals. ?? Learn more about Wayne State University’s efforts to advance sustainability education: https://bit.ly/3EWRjnm #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainability #sustainability #educationforsustainability #detroitwindsor #wayneState #environmentalscience #unitednations #regionalcenterofexpertise #sbncommittee #sbnfeature #collaboration #sustainabledevelopment #highereducation #environmentalinitiatives #climateeducation

"Right now, we’re working to refine demand models, analyze cost structures, and optimize the environmental impact. If we get this right, drone freight could become a core component of Michigan’s advanced logistics infrastructure." – Christopher Girdwood, CEO of Detroit Region Aerotropolis The #DetroitRegionAerotropolis is a public-private economic development partnership with the Wayne County Airport Authority. One of its key areas of focus is exploring #sustainablefreight solutions, including the use of drones to transport lightweight cargo, reducing emissions, road congestion, and overall wear on transportation networks. We spoke with Girdwood to discuss how drone technology is reshaping logistics, the environmental and economic impact of freight inefficiencies, and the future of cargo transport in #SoutheastMichigan. Click the link below to read more. #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #sustainability #detroit #waynecounty #environmentaljustice #socialjustice #freight #logistics #drone #drones #cargo #romulus #sustainability #freightoperations #detroitregionaerotroplois #economicimpact #railwaynetwork #sustainabledevelopment CITY OF ROMULUS, Wayne County Michigan, Washtenaw County, City of Taylor

Michigan is debating the placement of solar farms, with some proposing installing solar farms on parking lots instead of farmland. Solar canopies can reduce urban sprawl and provide vehicle shade but come at a higher cost. Michigan State University (MSU) installed solar carports to reduce reliance on coal but is now considering farmland for future projects due to cost factors. To meet Michigan’s 100% clean energy goal by 2040, an estimated 209,000 acres may be needed for solar infrastructure. Discussions continue on land use, aesthetics, and leasing state-owned land for solar development. One approach under consideration is agrivoltaics, where solar panels and agriculture share land. MSU is planning a project allowing sheep to graze beneath solar panels. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bhgAVe The Center For Michigan | Bridge Michigan | BridgeDetroit #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #sustainability #michigan #solarenergy #renewableenergy #michigan #cleantech #agrivoltaics #sustainability #solarfarms #urbanplanning #cleanenergy #gridintegration #energytransition #landuse #climateaction #detroitbusiness #msu #michiganstateuniversity

According to research from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other scientific organizations, 2024 was the warmest year on record. Rising temperatures were reflected in sea ice extent, with Antarctic sea ice shrinking to its second-lowest recorded level, averaging 4.00 million square miles, while Arctic sea ice ranked as the seventh lowest on record. Ocean temperatures also continued to rise, with upper ocean heat content reaching an all-time high. As the ocean absorbs 90% of excess heat in Earth’s system, the five highest recorded heat content values have occurred within the past five years. By understanding these trends, businesses and organizations can develop climate resilience strategies, enhance sustainability efforts, and adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Xk7Xni #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #detroit #sustainability #climatechange #globalwarming #oceanheat #seaice #temperaturetrends #noaa #nasa #climatedata #environment #climateindicators #sustainability #detroitbusiness #climateaction #climateadaptation #earthscience #resilientcities

The U-M Graham Sustainability Institute Scholars Program is accepting applications for its next cohort of undergraduate students at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. The three-semester program is open to students from all majors, beginning in September 2025, with applications open from February 26 to April 6. “The Graham Sustainability Scholars Program equips future leaders with hands-on experience and the skills to create lasting change through localized problem-solving.” – Jennifer Haverkamp, Graham family director of the Graham Sustainability Institute. The program is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary teamwork experience and hands-on engagement with sustainability efforts in local communities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4kjm1XV #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #michigan #universityofmichigan #sustainability #studentscholarships #environmentalstudies #mentorship #internships #sustainabledevelopment #academicprograms #communitypartnerships #projectbasedlearning #climateaction #research #highereducation #environmentalinitiatives #studentopportunities #sustainablefuture

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded $5.6 million in circular economy grants to 30 projects aimed at improving recycling and resource management across the state. The funding supports initiatives such: - AI-powered battery recycling system in Wixom - Project in Southfield that converts glass waste into architectural tiles - Detroit pilot program that distributes unsold produce to community food pantries. These projects focus on recycling, material reuse, and waste reduction. The initiative aligns with the state’s goal of achieving a 30% recycling rate by 2029. Programs such as the circular economy grants and NextCycle support efforts to increase recycling rates and develop markets for recovered materials. The selected projects focus on expanding recycling infrastructure, reducing landfill waste, and enhancing resource efficiency. Learn more: https://bit.ly/41AOd1j #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #detroit #sustainability #michigan #circulareconomy #sustainability #recycling #wastereduction #egle #environment #resourceefficiency #materialreuse #batteryrecycling #glassrecycling #publictransit #climateaction #wastemanagement #greenbusiness #nextcycle

"One of the greatest opportunities in Detroit and Southeast Michigan is the availability of land. While vacant land presents its own challenges, it also allows us to think creatively and implement solutions that wouldn’t be possible in more densely developed cities." – Tricia DeMarco, PE, AICP, SITES AP, LEED AP (She/Her), director of urban design and sustainability, Spalding DeDecker #SpaldingDeDecker is a Michigan-based civil engineering and surveying firm specializing in infrastructure and land development, land surveying, landscape architecture, and urban planning. SBN Detroit spoke with DeMarco and Bob Ford, lead landscape architecture, to discuss the role of sustainability within their projects, as well as the challenges and opportunities of implementing eco-conscious infrastructure and design in #SoutheastMichigan. Click the link below to read more. #civilengineering #stormwatermanagement #stormwater #funding #prioritization #sustainability #infrastructure #engineering #sustainableengineering #land #vacantland #urbancity #urbanplanning #circulareconomy #climateaction #sustainability #sustainabilitychallenges #sustainablebusiness #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusinessdetroit #detroit #detroitzoo AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT LIBR AND ED ADV FUND INC