WHO KNEW How Much Progress Hanover Has Made toward Sustainability?

In September, Hanover was the host town for a Local Solutions Conference to Create Resilient Communities, sponsored by Dartmouth, Antioch University, and NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Participants came from all over New England. One event was a tour of Hanover that highlighted things our town has done to promote sustainability. One stop was at the Town Offices where members of town staff and Sustainable Hanover talked about what has been done to promote sustainability in Hanover. Here are some examples:

At the 2017 Town Meeting, Hanover residents adopted sustainability goals of achieving 100% renewable electricity for the municipality by 2030 and zero carbon emissions in the transportation and heating sectors by 2050. Currently, the Town generates over 90% of its electricity with solar panels, and many residents have also installed solar.

In 2023, Hanover town staff and volunteers helped develop the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire, followed by the adoption of Hanover Community Power, so that residents can opt to receive up to 100% renewably produced electricity.

In addition to townwide accomplishments, other individuals and groups have done important work toward sustainability. Hanover HIgh School students have written a Climate Action Plan for the entire district which the school board has adopted.

The annual Window Dressers Program helps Upper Valley residents put inserts into their windows to reduce heat loss and to save on energy costs.

The Impact Apparel bins located at the Hanover Coop and elsewhere in Hanover have received 38 tons of used textiles and clothing from Hanover alone since they were installed. Items received are either reused or recycled in order to keep them out of landfills.

Annual styrofoam collection events amass truckloads of styrofoam which is taken to a special styrofoam recycling center in Guilford, NH, where it is densified into ingots and sold to be manufactured into new products, such as insulation.

EV fairs, Earth Week fairs and Sun Day fairs are all promoted to help educate residents about ways they can make their lives more sustainable, more energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

This is just a quick look at some of the many things Hanover town staff and volunteers are doing to make Hanover more climate resilient and sustainable. They show what can be done when we all work together.

And just a reminder: THE NEXT STYROFOAM RECYCLING EVENT will be on January 31st, 2026, at the Richmond Middle School from 10-12. Save your styrofoam packaging from the holidays for this event. Strings of Christmas lights will also be collected for recycling.

Happy Thanksgiving, and COMPOST THOSE DINNER REMAINS!!