Senior Community Becomes Early Adopter of Initiative Focused on Reducing Energy-Water-Materials
Collaborating with residents who want to create a better world for future generations, Beacon Hill at Eastgate has published its first-ever sustainability plan, a roadmap for how the life plan community can reduce its environmental impact and contribute to restoration.
As an early adopter of sustainability practices in the Michigan life plan community space, Beacon Hill developed its plan to create a clear path to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, conserve water and enhance the well-being of residents and staff. The goals are structured around three areas of focus: energy, water and materials in order to create objectives that will aim the community toward enhanced environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Beacon Hill’s sustainability journey began in 2019 with the formation of a grassroots environmental group comprised of passionate residents seeking to leave a better world for their children and grandchildren. Since its inception, the group has met regularly to explore simple ways residents and staff can reduce Beacon Hill’s environmental impact, such as using powder detergents to reduce plastic bottles or reusable containers for leftovers.
The ongoing advocacy by the resident group and a research project conducted by a faculty-led team of students from nearby Aquinas College led to the launch of a formal sustainability initiative. In 2023, Beacon Hill leadership engaged Joe Rinkevich, a seasoned sustainability advisor and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience, to formalize these discussions. After more than a year of gathering data, engaging residents and staff and collaborating on priorities and goals, the Beacon Hill at Eastgate Board of Directors approved the official sustainability plan and metrics to measure its success.
“Beacon Hill residents have taken it upon themselves to do great work in the sustainability space, and we seek to build on their successes,” Rinkevich said. “Forming a dedicated sustainability plan ensures Beacon Hill has commitment to focusing on this important work and establishing a framework from which to build on for the future.
“Life plan communities are still in a very nascent state of the sustainability movement. The passion I’ve seen from Beacon Hill residents and staff has rivaled that of the teams I’ve supported at well-known consumer brands over the years. By following this plan and improving it over time, we aim to enhance the well-being of residents and staff, reduce environmental impact and position Beacon Hill as an adopter of sustainability practices in the state of Michigan and among life plan communities.”
Some of the sustainability plan’s goals include reducing energy use, exploring feasibility of on-site solar for existing and new buildings, identifying areas to improve water efficiency, as well as reducing materials sent to landfill via improved separation, recycling and composting. Goals include achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and eliminating materials to landfill by 2040. The plan supports the City of Grand Rapids’ commitment to restore environmental integrity, improve economic prosperity and promote social equity in the community.
The plan also outlines steps individual residents can take each day, including identifying energy-saving strategies, installing water-efficient plumbing fixtures and using compostable or recyclable products and packaging.
“What began as a small group of residents sharing their passion for creating a sustainable future for their loved ones has turned into a community-wide initiative with some incredible goals,” said Rhett Pinsky, Beacon Hill at Eastgate resident and environmental action group member. “We recognize environmental challenges are global in scope, but as a community, we are focused on acting locally and collaborating with our neighbors to contribute to a greener future – one step at a time.
“Our emphasis is not just for today. We’re thinking about creating a better world for our grandchildren – and all children. That’s what we are really striving for.”
As part of its sustainability initiative, Beacon Hill at Eastgate started a pilot program with Organicycle, a West Michigan curbside composting service, for its Garden Café. Through this program, the restaurant collects approximately 160 pounds of compost daily to reduce climate impact and restore local topsoil. Landfilled food waste is a significant source of methane emissions. According to the Environmental Protective Agency, greenhouse gas emissions from landfilled food waste are equivalent to the annual emissions of 15 coal-fired power plants.
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is currently designing its West End expansion, which will add a host of new residences and amenities on a 10-acre site. With the planned construction activities, the project team is working to ensure the sustainability plan goals are embodied in Beacon Hill at Eastgate’s upcoming community addition.
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is a distinctive, nonprofit, life plan community nestled in the established and vibrant Eastgate neighborhood. Residents enjoy a daily experience of fine cuisine, rich relationships and a broad range of amenities, including on-site restaurants, an indoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center, art and exercise classes, among many others. The nonprofit offers personalized care for the mind, body and spirit to ensure residents can lead a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle while enjoying retirement.
Beacon Hill at Eastgate has been recognized as one of the best 2025 continuing care retirement communities in the country by Newsweek.
To learn more about Beacon Hill at Eastgate’s sustainability initiatives and for more information on the report, click here.
