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Community Participation in Sustainability
Community Responsibility
Sustainability is about the choices we make today that shape tomorrow. It’s not just about individual lifestyle changes—it’s about community action, equity, and holding powerful institutions accountable.
While 100 corporations are responsible for 71% of global emissions, individual actions do matter when they contribute to building community resilience and create ripple effects of change. Everyone has a role to play, but responsibility varies depending on privilege and access. Equity must remain at the heart of our sustainability work.
What You Can Do
Think less about shrinking your own footprint, and more about how your actions contribute to bigger, systemic change.
Daily Habits
- Walk, bike, or use public transportation.
- Support local businesses and buy less overall.
- Reuse, repair, repurpose, or donate instead of discarding.
- Eat smarter: buy local food, reduce waste, and cut back on meat—especially beef.
- Go solar – save money through local group-buy programs (see our Community Resources page).
- Switch to LEDs – DOE Guide.
- Compost food waste – How to Compost at Home – EPA.
- Line dry laundry – Tips from Farmers’ Almanac.
- Go electric – vehicles, power tools, and yard equipment.
- Capture rain – add a rain garden (WI DNR Guide PDF) or rain barrel (Lowe’s Guide).
- Plant native– groundcovers and pollinator-friendly plants improve water infiltration, support biodiversity, and reduce mowing.
Join or support organizations driving sustainability and climate justice:
- Sunrise Movement – Youth-led movement pushing for climate action and clean jobs.
- Sustain Dane – Connects people to resources and workshops for equity and sustainability.
- Dane Buy Local – Builds a strong, fair, local economy by supporting independent businesses.
Contribution Exercise
Want to figure out your best role in creating change? Try this simple Venn diagram:
- Circle 1: What you care about.
- Circle 2: What you’re good at.
- Circle 3: What needs to be done.
Where the three overlap—that’s where your contributions can have the most significant impact. Share your results with others to encourage community action.
Explore More Tools
- C-ROADS Climate Simulator
Test global scenarios to see how policy and behavior changes impact climate outcomes. - Carbon Footprint Calculator – Nature Conservancy
Learn how your daily choices add up—and where you can have the most impact. - Project Drawdown Solutions
Explore 100+ science-backed solutions to reverse global warming and build a sustainable future.
Recycling is only part of the sustainability puzzle—but it’s an important one. Learn about Middleton’s recycling resources, achievements, and guidelines on our Recycling page.
Remodel or Demolition? Call Habitat ReStore First
Before throwing things away, schedule a free pickup of reusable items:
- Cabinets, appliances, vanities, fixtures, doors, and more
- Carefully removed by trained staff and volunteers
- Donors receive a tax receipt
- Email: donation@restoredane.org
We can’t recycle our way to sustainability—we must also consume less. Overproduction and overconsumption fuel climate change and harm communities.
Try these resources to reduce waste:
- Catalog Choice: Stop Unwanted Junk Mail.
Switching to renewable energy saves money, reduces emissions, and supports local sustainability.
Focus on Energy
Wisconsin’s statewide program offers financial incentives, resources, and guidance for homeowners and businesses making energy-efficient upgrades.
Solar Power
Solar is more affordable than ever. Benefits include:
- Lower energy bills
- Federal tax credit (26% of system cost in 2021–22)
- Even lower cost through group buy programs
Group Buy Programs:
- MadiSUN Solar Energy Program – Join a community group buy.
Water Conservation
Every drop counts! Start with 15 Ways to Conserve Water at Home – Chariot Energy.
Switching from gas to electric reduces air pollution, saves money in the long term, and supports cleaner energy use.
Yard & Power Equipment
Popular electric brands include: EGO, STIHL, Makita, RYOBI, DEWALT, Greenworks (available at ACE, Home Depot, and other retailers).
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Explore new and used options:
- Used EVs: CarMax, Carvana, CarGurus, Edmunds
- New EVs: Consumer Reports Hybrid/EV Guide, Best EVs – Edmunds
Find charging stations on the EV Charging Station Map.
Learn more at the MG&E Electric Vehicle Website.
Try a Smarter Way to Soften Your Water—For Free!
Middleton homeowners: Want cleaner water, use less salt, and help protect local lakes and streams?
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, in partnership with the City of Middleton, is offering a limited-time program to install free blending valves on existing water softeners.
Blending valves let you mix softened and hard water, reducing salt use and cutting down on chloride pollution—at no cost to you.
Only 48 free valve + installation packages are available! Eligible residents (homeowners willing to share feedback after a 2-month trial) can sign up through a short survey.