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Hudson environmental committee lays out 2026 goals on recycling, energy and land stewardship
Summary
The Environmental Awareness Committee presented an annual report and four 2026 priorities focused on public education about recycling, regional engagement, land-management best practices and advising council on energy and stormwater issues; the committee asked council guidance on where to post materials and highlighted interest in a greenhouse-gas inventory.
Dr. Joseph Fortes, chair of the Environmental Awareness Committee, told the council the committee plans an environmental-education campaign, expanded engagement events and work advising the city on land-management and energy policy.
"Our first goal for 2026 is the environmental education campaign," Fortes said, adding the committee aims for a monthly educational post and at least one school program. Vice Chair Alex Selimian said the committee will revise the EAC web page to make links and resources easier to find.
The presentation summarized a recent tour of a regional recovery facility where staff demonstrated a glass cracker and described contamination metrics. "The typical load coming into their facility has about 30% contamination and theyre able to get that down to about 5%," Fortes said, noting the facility uses cameras and jets of air to sort materials.
Committee members proposed a recycling campaign that would clarify what can and cannot be recycled and suggested using multiple channels, including the city's front-page "trash and recycling" button, for outreach. Councilmember (Amanda) encouraged the EAC to slim public-facing materials to clear top priorities.
The EAC also advocated for energy measures and assessments. Fortes described the regional power situation and the potential for rooftop or community solar, and recommended a greenhouse-gas inventory paired with an energy audit. "I would expand that to say it's important for us to do an energy audit and greenhouse-gas inventory, because the two go hand in hand," Fortes said.
Council members asked the committee to provide cost and benefit information and to prioritize items the committee can realistically complete in a year. Fortes said the committee will provide regular updates to council and said it will coordinate with communications staff on web placement and outreach.
Next steps: the EAC will revise its web materials, begin the education campaign and return to council with scoped priorities, cost estimates and regular status updates.
