Partner Recognition

Ecoville-Georgia Recycling Coalition

The Georgia Recycling Coalition (GRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the GRC is to compliment and coordinate activities relative to recycling, to foster communications among professionals, organizations, government agencies and individuals, and to promote and enhance reduction and recycling programs throughout the state.

Resources

Keep Atlanta Beautiful

City of Atlanta-Recycling

Earth 911

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation

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Recycling: Policy Review

The City of Atlanta annually contributes over 1 million tons of commonly recyclable materials such as food waste, paper, plastic, corrugated cardboard and construction/demolition debris into landfills. If diverted, the city would save money on tipping fees, increase recovery of resources and provide a surplus of material thus requiring the development of new recycling markets. The development of new recycling markets creates opportunities to attract new businesses, create jobs and stimulate Atlanta’s economy. To this end, Sustainable Atlanta’s Recycling and Materials Management Taskforce developed a series of recycling recommendations with the intent to increase resource recovery and develop new markets for recycling across the City of Atlanta.

The following recommendations will require enforceable policy and/or programming in order for Atlantans to realize the economic, social and environmental benefits of recycling. Sustainable Atlanta is currently working on a plan to present the final list of recommendations to Atlanta City Council and to engage the public at-large in the implementation process. Prioritization of the recommendations will be determined by a cost-benefit analysis.

Recommendations:

Review city zoning ordinances and codes to remove impediments to recycling and composting facilities within city limits.
Implement a volume-based billing system for the collection of solid waste, recyclables and yard trimmings among single-family residential customers.
Require all solid waste and recycling haulers to report tonnage of waste and recovered material collected within the City of Atlanta.
Establish an environmental leadership and recognition program to acknowledge commercial, residential, industrial and institutional champions for material recovery, reuse and recycling efforts.
Develop incentives and support services to encourage waste reduction, reuse and recycling-related businesses to locate or expand within the City of Atlanta.
Develop a cost-neutral preferential green purchasing policy for City of Atlanta operations.
Require that the building permitting process require the submission and approval of construction waste management and recycling plans for new construction and renovation projects.
Require all commercial property owners to provide on-site recycling opportunities for commonly recycled materials for tenants and customers.
Establish comprehensive drop-off sites for uncommonly recycled materials.

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Recycling Recommendations