Decatur joins green wave

By MARY MacDONALDThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 06/02/07
Used to be fixing the sewers, adding sidewalks and getting the trash picked up on time was enough.
Now cities feel they need to help save the planet.

Joey Ivansco/Staff
(ENLARGE)
Decatur's not alone in environmental measures. Atlanta's City Hall has a rooftop garden 'green roof' that helps reduce stormwater runoff and cool the building.
Not to be outdone by New York City, which plans to upgrade its exhaust-spewing taxis, or Berkeley, Calif., which is trying to cut emissions by 80 percent, Decatur plans to leave its own green mark.
The small city is making room in its budget for all-natural cleaning solvents, compostable office supplies and a pair of low-emission vehicles.
By this time next year, the breakrooms, bathrooms and offices in all city buildings will be stocked with recycled farm produce. As in potato starch cutlery and corn-based coffee cups.
Two hybrid vehicles will be zipping around on city business. And janitors will mop and wipe with green cleaning alternatives.
The city already has a tree protection ordinance, a recycling program and building rules that reduce stormwater runoff. Switching to green city supplies is the next logical step, say city officials, who expect the move will cost little, if any, more money.
Residents in the liberal-leaning city have traditionally supported Earth-friendly efforts.
"We have an activist community in terms of environmental issues," said City Manager Peggy Merriss. "It hasn't escaped us that that's something our community has said is important."
Treading lightly, or at least less heavily, on the planet has become a priority for many cities.
Along with Mayor Bill Floyd of Decatur, the mayors of Atlanta, East Point, Macon and Tybee Island have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a pledge to use regulations and programs that will reduce global warming pollution levels by 2012. So far, 522 mayors have signed on.
In Atlanta, official efforts to become more environmentally friendly spill over 10 full pages.
Among other things, City Hall is topped with a "green roof," a garden that is designed to catch runoff and lower energy costs. Since 2003, all city-financed construction has had to meet green standards. And the city has one of Georgia's toughest tree ordinances.
In Decatur, officials have tried to balance environmentally friendly initiatives with budget realities. Switching to compostable kitchen, cleaning and office supplies rose in priority as the cost of "going green" came down, said David Junger, director of public works.
"In some form or fashion, there is some [green] equivalent out there," Junger said. "And it seems there is more every day."
GREEN OPTIONS
1. Switch out traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescents. The lights last longer, emit less heat and use less energy.
2. Buy groceries and other products that are packaged in recyclable materials.
3. Build a compost pile. This will keep natural materials, including kitchen scraps, out of the landfills. It also improves soil.
4. Reduce water use by choosing drought-tolerant plants and flowers.
5. Reduce gas consumption by choosing a fuel-efficient car. Keep tires properly inflated.
Source: Staff reports