Grand Rapids Receives Highest Honor in Environmental Efforts

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By City of Grand Rapids, MI - July 23, 2026

Grand Rapids, Michigan — The City of Grand Rapids has been recognized for its environmental leadership by the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program. As part of the annual MGC Challenge, local governments are awarded bronze, silver, gold, or platinum seals of achievement. These achievements demonstrate community leadership in various areas, including energy efficiency, climate resilience, recycling, mobility, environmental stewardship, and more.

Grand Rapids achieved Platinum status for exemplary action in 2025 across multiple categories which include:

  • Increasing tree canopy coverage in the city to 37% (from 34% in 2015)
  • Increasing the percentage of EV/clean fuel fleet vehicles to 46% (from 41% in 2024).
  • Reducing the city’s water consumption for municipal operations by 8.51% (from 2024).

To qualify for the Platinum status, the City has also made progress on:

  • Utilizing new tools and technologies to track the energy use in municipal buildings and identify energy efficiency opportunities.
  • Beginning engagement for the Renew Grand Rapids food waste drop off program that supports residents in diverting organic material from landfills.
  • Beginning the “Zone GR” process to update the Zoning Ordinance to align with the goals and vision of our completed Community Master Plan. The Zone GR update will help guide future development, protect neighborhood character, and ensure our zoning regulations support the community’s priorities for growth, housing, sustainability, and quality of life.

This year, the MGC Challenge saw sixty-eight communities being recognized for their efforts. Grand Rapids and the other participants logged actions taken through 2025 to improve sustainability efforts. Four communities achieved Bronze certification, fifteen achieved Silver certification, forty-seven achieved Gold certification, and two achieved Platinum certification.

The MGC program is open to all local governments in Michigan at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally sustainable and economically competitive future for the state of Michigan.

MGC is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Department of Transportation; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association. For more information about this program, please visit their website at migreencommunities.com.

Questions regarding the MGC program can be directed to Danielle Beard, Michigan Green Communities Program Coordinator, at info@migreencommunities.com.

Questions regarding the City of Grand Rapids’ sustainability and environmental efforts can be directed to: