Patch Picks: Five Ways Your City is Going Green

If you keep up with the times, you understand the nationwide effort to rethink how we use our country's resources.

In Maplewood and Brentwood, government officials and businesses are making living in the two cities more sustainable to ensure they both have a long, bright future. This week's Patch Picks highlight those efforts and encourage you to get involved as well.

Patch Picks: Five Ways Your City is Going Green

• Rain barrels for sale — Implementing even just one barrel under a downspout around your house reduces storm water runoff and stores it for your own personal use around the garden and yard. Contact the to get your hands on a 50 to 55-gallon barrel.

• Rain Gardens — As we all know, St. Louis and its surrounding cities get a lot of rain, often seemingly out of nowhere. As a result, Brentwood often floods, which can be disastrous for residents and businesses. The City of Brentwood has been working with commercial businesses to reduce runoff, but residents can also create rain gardens in their yard by digging a depression below a drainspout that will loosen the soil and allow the water to sink slowly into the ground.

• St. Louis County Saves — The City of Maplewood participates in St. Louis County Saves, a financing program to help homeowners make energy-efficient changes around the house. Make upgrades like replacing your HVAC and water heaters and save money on rising energy costs.

• Events at — The brewery plays host to a number of events raising awareness on sustainability and the slow food/slow money movement. On Sept. 20, head to Schlafly from 6:30-9:00pm for St. Louis Green Drinks to see experienced activists speak about environmental and sustainable issues.

• Curbside recycling — Both and offer free curbside recycling for residents. The cities make it easier than ever to be green.

Did you miss a previous Patch Picks list? Catch up below: