Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
POLICY DIRECTION Policy Policy Intent Policy 4: Ensure Long-Term, Cost-Effective, and Environmentally-Responsible Disposal of Waste Continually ensure long-term, secure, and environmentally- responsible disposal of waste. The intent of this policy is to continue to provide convenient waste and recycling services for residents and businesses while promoting reuse, preventing unlawful disposal, and expanding composting practices through policies and public education. Policy 5: Protect and Restore Open Space and the Natural Environment Protect and restore environmentally significant areas and either preserve or create green infrastructure throughout the Town and within the built environment. The intent of this policy is to manage and protect the natural environment, particularly areas of environmental significance such as wildlife habitats and corridors, wetlands, stream buffers, contiguous forests, and other important natural features. The Town will look for opportunities to protect or create interconnected ecosystems. A complementary intent of this policy is to incorporate natural features into the built environment for aesthetic, economic, quality of life, and sustainability purposes, in part using and preserving native plants. This policy also supports green building techniques that enhance or add to green infrastructure resources in the Town, including along roadways as part of either private or Town-driven projects. Policy 6: Improve Air Quality Promote strategies that create a healthy community by improving air quality and reducing air pollution from development, buildings, transportation, and industry. The intent of this policy is to improve the health of Town residents and decrease air pollutants, like greenhouse gasses, by encouraging changes in the built environment, transportation systems, business practices, and household habits. This policy will enable initiatives that address the causes and effects of climate change. Better air quality can be achieved through a comprehensive set of strategies that encourage conservation, increased efficiencies, new building technologies, alternatively fueled vehicles and infrastructure, forest protection, and urban development that makes walking, biking, and public transportation viable modes of transportation. Policy 7: Improve Energy Efficiencies and Sustainable Energy Practices Support sustainable energy practices by promoting energy conservation and alternative energy use and production. The intent of this policy is to lower utility bills, decrease reliance on traditional energy sources, promote a green economy, increase resiliency and self-reliance through energy efficiency and the local production of energy, and decrease emissions, such as greenhouse gases. The Town will support and promote green building features, especially where higher density development occurs. The Town will promote any chosen policies through public outreach initiatives, recognition, and through leading by example. 251