Just how pervasive are plastics in our lives? Try and live just a week without any. That’s the notion behind the Ypsi Plastic Free July Challenge. It is put forth by Zerowaste.org and runs through August 1st. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Zerowaste.org co-founder and deputy director, Lydia McMullen-Laird, about this year’s challenge and some tips on how best to reduce the use of plastics in our homes.

With an electric vehicle, a longer commute can be more affordable, but there can be challenges, too. Mackenzie Munro used to have a longer commute into Ann Arbor as an employee at the Ecology Center. Now, she makes a similar drive to Lansing for her work with EGLE. Is it worth it? Learn more about the real EV life in Mackenzie's conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

The City of Saline is considering whether to rehabilitate, replace, or remove the historic Saline River Dam. Dam removal offers long-term ecological benefits but raises concerns about aesthetics, recreation, and economic impact. A final decision on the matter is coming in October. In the meantime, the city has been taking public input and reaching out to neighboring communities for discussion. WEMU's David Fair talked with Saline Mayor Brian Marl about what has been learned so far and what comes next in the process.

A recent fire at Recycle Ann Arbor's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has raised concerns about what exactly is going into the bins we send to the MRF. Nationally, there are a growing number of fires at such facilities. WEMU's David Fair gets an update from Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Bryan Ukena.

The Michigan Attorney General has filed a civil lawsuit against a Wixom-based automotive supplier for allegedly continuing to release harmful chemicals into the Huron River after multiple violations. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Huron River Watershed Council Climate Resilience Strategist, Daniel Brown. They discuss the lawsuit and the ongoing impacts to the health of the Huron River.

Rental properties in Ann Arbor will soon have to meet new energy efficiency standards. Ann Arbor City Council approved the Green Rental Housing Ordinance on July 16th. Some landlords and housing advocates raised concerns that it will drive rental prices even higher. Missy Stults is director of the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. She says that’s not the case and explains why in her conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

You may have noticed there have been some changes in the nature of our weather. Climate change is cited as the reason for some notable changes in precipitation patterns in our corner of the world. What does that tell us about the near- and longer-term future in Washtenaw County? WEMU's David Fair discussed this with Dr. Drew Gronewold, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.

If you live in Northeast Washtenaw County, you know about living with a with an unpleasant odor. Residents in Salem and Northville Townships have long complained about the smell emanating from the Arbor Hills Landfill. WEMU's David Fair checked in with the District Supervisor for Air Quality at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on the matter. Scott Miller discussed the ongoing efforts to address odors and air quality in the area.

It is growing season, and deciding on how to landscape and decorate your gardens is part of the fun of spring and summer. Sometimes, we end up picking things that can have adverse environmental and ecological impacts. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the president of the Ann Arbor Area chapter of The Wild Ones, Marta Manildi, about how to pick safely and beautifully.

There are a good number of private septic systems in Washtenaw County. Assessments show that nearly half of those systems have exceeded their expected lifespans and could fail in the near future. That would not only threaten the ecosystems of local waterways but also put public health in jeopardy. The Huron River Watershed Council is advocating that the private septic systems be replaced with centralized water treatment systems. WEMU's David Fair talked with the council’s Ric Lawson about what it would take to make that change.