The City of Olympia Swaps Parking Meters for Trees - ThurstonTalk

Olympia, Washington, has embraced a forward-thinking approach to urban sustainability by launching the "Meters for Trees" initiative in collaboration with PayByPhone, a prominent mobile parking payment provider. This innovative program aims to replace 724 parking meters with tree planting efforts, highlighting the city’s commitment to combating climate change. Chelsea Baker van Drood, the Parking Services Program Specialist, stated that the initiative not only promotes mobile payments but also saves the city over $18,000 annually in meter maintenance costs. Since its inception in the UK in 2019, PayByPhone's environmental campaigns have successfully planted over 225,000 trees globally. In Olympia, the removal of parking hardware will result in the planting of 217 trees in 2025, enhancing the urban environment and reducing carbon footprints.

Partnering with veritree, an organization specializing in verified tree planting, ensures that each tree planted contributes to local reforestation. This initiative is a significant step towards establishing a green legacy while providing citizens with a more convenient parking payment method. The city’s commitment to sustainability reflects a growing trend among municipalities to prioritize environmental health alongside urban development.