This overview of Decatur’s ongoing and future initiatives on Environmental Sustainability offers ways you can make a difference.
Environmental Sustainability Board
The Environmental Sustainability board, established in early 2009, provides recommendations to the City Commission regarding the city’s environmental regulations, plans and initiatives. In addition, the nine-member board assists with implementation of city projects that impact the natural environment to protect and improve the quality of life for citizens and property owners in Decatur. The board combines the responsibilities of the former Greenspace Commission and the Waste Management Advisory Board and fulfills the requirements for the establishment of a Stormwater Management Advisory Board.
Want to know what the board has been up to? Check out their 2009 End of Year Summary.
> Click here to see the ESB brochure
Water Restrictions
DeKalb County sets the water restrictions that include the City of Decatur. Although the drought is officially over, some restrictions do still apply. DeKalb County is currently under a non-drought schedule, and residents are allowed to water three days a week on their assigned days as noted below. There are some exemptions to this including personal food gardens, newly installed landscape and those using re-claimed or gray water. To help with water efficiency, it is recommended that residents avoid any outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Full details can be found HERE.
- Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
- Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Recycling in Decatur
Click here for a complete list of recyclable items.
 A Brief History
Recycling and Pay as You Throw in Decatur.
A Commitment in Writing
Decatur signs the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
 Electronics Recycling Day, held twice a year in Decatur for the past three years, is a resounding answer to a distress call from our future. It is a community effort that, thanks to our outstanding volunteers, continues to be a success.
>Continue reading
What Can One Household Do?
A Pinetree Drive couple shares ideas others may want to try.
How Long Does It Take To Biodegrade?
Brown paper bag:1-5 months
Cigarette butts and filters:12 years
Plastic bags, caps and lids decades
Aluminum cans: 2 to 5 centuries
Styrofoam containers: virtually forever
 A Tale of Two Bottles:
Where Does the Trash Go?
Have you ever thought about where your trash goes once it leaves your house? Or what happens to the things you place in the recycling bin?
>Click here to find out
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Commercial Recycling in Decatur
Effective January 1, 2009 existing multiple-dwelling properties, were required to provide recycling services for their tenants. The Decatur Solid Waste Division understands the importance of recycling and implemented a commercial recycling program at the same time, and has been increasing commercial participation weekly. With 30 multi-family and commercial accounts, our goal for this fiscal year is to increase participation by 50%.
Recycling service is co-mingled, meaning that all recycling can be mixed together including, tin/aluminum items, green, brown and clear glass, plastic containers marked “#1-#7”, paper products, and plastic bags. All materials must be clean and free from food contamination.
If you are interested in obtaining commercial recycling service from the City of Decatur, the 2010 Recyling Service Form clearly outlines the costs and bin options.
For more information contact Sean Woodson at 404-898-8562 or sean.woodson@decaturga.com
What is Environmental Sustainability?
It’s a wise and well-informed way of living and conducting business that ensures a community’s quality of life for the future. It requires a strong commitment from city government, residents and businesses to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, preserve greenspaces, use nonpolluting transportation alternatives where possible, and participate in other measures to help reduce pollution and keep our environment healthy for future generations.
The City of Decatur has an ongoing commitment to creating a sustainable community. Although the Decatur Green Initiatives report takes a brief look at our Environmental Sustainability efforts, our overall program incorporates Community, Economic and Organizational Sustainability as well. The 2008 annual report takes a look at all of our efforts to sustain our community for future generations.
Decatur Green Initiatives Special Report
Available in the June 2008 Decatur Focus
>Green Initiatives report (PDF)
What Decatur Does
City policies and programs
Here’s what city departments and employees are doing to minimize the environmental impact of their activities:
• The city purchased its first hybrid vehicle.
• We’ve switched to green cleaning products in all city buildings.
• We print on both sides of the paper when making copies.
• The Revenue office switched from paper files to electronic records
storage.
• The Development department has reduced the number of plan copies required for permitting by sharing plans with the Engineering department.
• Reclaimed water is used to wash Public Works vehicles.
• Reclaimed water is used to put out the Bonfire in December sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.
• Sensors have been placed on bathroom lights so they do not run continuously.
• Employees bring in their own cups and mugs for use during the workday thus eliminating paper cups.
• We use biodegradable cups, plates, and cutlery.
• We’ve installed dual flush toilets and waterless urinals in all departments.
• All city offices recycle.
• We recycle fluorescent light bulbs.
• The Administrative Services department uses telecommuting and alternative work schedules to decrease the number of employees driving to work every day.
• Through a grant, the city obtained a mobile recycling station to use for recycling during events.
• We distributed reusable water bottles to volunteers during the MLK Jr. Service Project, thus preventing more than 800 water bottles from being sent to the landfill.
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