December 2018 Giving More Experiences And Less StuffGift-giving can be overwhelming — mentally, emotionally, and environmentally. Shopping, whether at brick-and-mortar stores or online, presents a deluge of options that can make decision-making difficult. But we have options. Outside the flood of "stuff" we are marketed every holiday season, the Atlanta region is rich in museums, outdoor activity facilities, local businesses, breweries, and more. Organizations and institutions offer memberships, classes, tours, seasonal passes, and other experience packages that are great alternatives to an unwished-for phone case, umbrella, or socks. Giving sustainably is not just about the gift being given; it's about the packaging containing the gift. There are multiple creative uses for used packaging — including reusing it next year — that can help reduce the waste generated this holiday season. Green Communities SpotlightMeasure 55: Residential Curbside Recycling In 2017, the Green Communities Program separated glass recycling from its original curbside recycling measure, and created a new measure worth five points. This was in response to the discontinuation of glass collection by many single-stream curbside recycling services, which makes it more difficult for communities to commit to recycling and waste reduction. Today, communities receive five points for providing residential curbside recycling, and five points for providing glass recycling — either through curbside collection, or at a local drop-off site. Since the 2017 program update, six certified Green Communities have achieved both measures: Cobb County Make it PersonalTips on how to give with the environment in mind
Sustainability News ClipsGreen news from near and far: Finding the Flint: How ATL’s Overlooked Waterway Could Spark South Metro Revival Delta refinery will convert plastic waste to jet fuel with Sir Richard Branson-backed Agilyx Atlanta: a dark horse in sustainability innovation Rampant pollution in Piedmont Park's lake spurs community cleanups Dreaming of a sustainable Christmas: how to reduce your ecological footprint this festive season Enough with the clutter! I'm giving my kid experiences for Christmas. Our environment is for life, not just for Christmas Christmas lights start and end their lives in China, and face rising costs Incentives for green infrastructure implementation on private property: lessons learned Why walkable cities are good for the economy, according to a city planner America probably has enough parking spaces for multiple Black Fridays Dogs in parks: managing the waste Get Green for Atlanta Local Food Initiative Orchard Project Public Spaces Recycling Bins Walmart Community Grant Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants 2018 Crown Communities Awards Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Cities of Service Engaged Cities Award 2019 Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge Hefty EnergyBag Grants Mutlipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant Flood Mitigation Assistance Environmental Justice Small Grant Partners for Fish and Wildlife Park Pride Grant Programs Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Green by the Numbers 25,000,000 – tons of waste generated in the U.S. between Thanksgiving and New Years 2,650,000,000 – number of Christmas cards sold every year, enough to fill ten stories of a football field 25 – percentage more trash you and your family will throw away between Thanksgiving and New Years, compared to the rest of the year Sustainability HappeningsGreenheart Holiday Gala Warrick Dunn Charities: SCULPT Sustainable Living Workshop LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program Don't see an event here you'd want to attend? Why not host one of your own? ARC has developed a Sustainability Civic Dinner - You host the people; we'll provide the conversation points! Learn more. The Green Matters e-newsletter is designed to give you a glimpse of important sustainability initiatives happening around the metro Atlanta region and beyond. Whether it's the latest research, new educational offerings, environmental stewardship efforts or potential funding opportunities, this e-newsletter will help you stay abreast of what's happening in this important area.
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