The next time you are deciding what to do with your little one’s disposable diaper, remember that flushing one down the toilet unleashes an unimaginable string of ecologically damaging events. The absorbent gel diapers contain remains effective long after your child is done with it, and can continue to expand becoming large enough to block sewer pipes. Diapers even make it through processing facilities and can end up on riverbeds or your favorite beach where bleaching agents and other chemicals are leached into waterways damaging plants, wildlife and people.

Think Green In Gwinnett

Green and Sustainable

When you landscape use native plants.  Native plants typically cost less, use less water, and are easier to care for.  Plus, your yard will look right at home.

Did you know that if every U.S. household replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star bulb, we’d save enough energy to light three million homes for over a year?  Pretty amazing huh? Simple.  So let’s make some simple changes Gwinnett!  The prices on CFL bulbs have come way down.  The Lowe’s in Suwanee sells them for a very reasonable price and they seem to have frequent sales there.

Reduce your carbon footprint and energy bill next summer by using a table, ceiling or whole-house fan which will extend the typical human comfort range, usually between 72 and 78 degrees F,to around 82 F by simply adding a breeze of about 1.9 mph. So when the heat becomes unbearable reach for a fan before the thermostat. A typical fan uses about the same amount of energy as a 100-watt light bulb, which is dramatically less than any air conditioning unit.

Think Green In Gwinnett

-James Chronicle

Green IT Initiatives

The foundation of being “IT Green” is reducing consumption without reducing productivity and efficiency. A good side-effect of reducing consumption is that you can reduce costs. So with some thought and planning, your green IT initiatives can save you money while you save the environment. Below are our tips.

New equipment – Purchase new equipment that is energy efficient, multi-purpose and has an extended life-cycle. The average PC has a life expectancy of just over 3 years. By centralizing your computing needs, you can significantly extend that life. If you still have CRTs, now is the time to upgrade to LCDs.
Look at virtualization (server, application, desktop) options that can give you increased computing in the most efficient configuration. Microsoft has a good primer to get you familiar with the types of virtualization.
Centralize printing and use all-in-one devices for shared functionality. Go electronic whenever possible.

Existing equipment – Extend the life of computers by adding RAM or disk when possible. Use power saver settings for individual units and energy monitoring software for the network. Replace energy wasting equipment like CRTs, older printers with new Energy Star products. Energy Star EZ Save and EZ Wizard are free power monitoring programs.

Recycle – Responsible recycling is essential. Computer equipment and electronics should all be reused if possible and environmentally recycled at the end of their life. Be sure to recycle your print cartridges also. The EPA eCycling has tips and lists recycling programs. LAN Systems would be happy to arrange for recycling through our free program.

LanSystems is located in Norcross, GA.  They provide IT Services to Metro Atlanta.  They were also awarded “Best In Gwinnett” from voters in Gwinnett businesses…

Today’s Green Tip of The Day:
Instead of sending old rugs to the landfill, check with local animal shelters to see if they can use them.  Old towels, blankets and sheets are also appreciated.

You can find information here for the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter.

Gwinnett County Animal Shelter
If you’d like to adopt a new family member or if your pet is lost, the Animal Shelter is a great place to begin your search. The Gwinnett Police Department operates the Animal Shelter to enforce animal control laws and to shelter animals that have strayed, gotten lost, or been turned over for adoption. With pet overpopulation on the rise, we’re proud to report a decrease in incoming animals and an increase in animals placed to individuals and rescue groups through our shelter. Location
The Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center is located at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville.

* Closed for lunch weekdays from 12:30pm to 1:00pm

Additional Contacts

General Administrative Contact E-mail
Acuadmin@gwinnettcounty.com

Jason Cannon, Supervisor
Jason.Cannon@gwinnettcounty.com

Charles Johnson, Supervisor
Charles.Johnson@gwinnettcounty.com

Thomas Stephens, Supervisor
Thomas.Stephens@gwinnettcounty.com

Monica Peete, Office Supervisor
Monica.Peete@gwinnettcounty.com
Thank you and remember to be thinking Green in your daily activities. 

Sincerely
James Chronicle

Green In Gwinnett Area

Gwinnett: Did you know that Americans use more than 380 million plastic bags and more than 10 million paper bags every year. Plastic bags end up either in landfills or discarded in nature.  This waste then kills thousands of marine mammals annually, and when it eventually does break down, it contaminate our land and water which are our valuable resources.

Reusable bags are not only better for the environment at Halloween, they’re also better for our children. Paper and plastic bags can rip easily, spilling Halloween treats and we know that our kids don’t like that. Reusable bags are much more durable and practical!

When the little ghosts and goblins in your family go trick-or-treating this Halloween, make sure they carry reusable bags or containers that don’t need to be discarded after they are used.

Cloth or canvas shopping bags, or even pillowcases, make terrific eco-friendly alternatives to paper or plastic bags, or to the molded plastic jack-o-lanterns so many kids use to collect candy at Halloween.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this quick tip.  Our future depends on our choices today, our future is our children.

Think Green In Gwinnett Area!

~James Chronicle

Green In Gwinnett Area is located in Suwanee, Georgia.

Make a difference at the office– double side copied documents, use scrap paper for note-taking, e-mail instead of faxing.

Remember to think Green In Gwinnett!

Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse!

We here at Green In Gwinnett Area posted an event on our Facebook events page that asked for volunteers to assist in the beginning stages at the Suwanee Community Garden.  What a great day it turned out to be.  We would like to thank Jessica Roth from the City of Suwanee for putting together such a successful and community oriented event.  Nearly 60 people showed up to help out!  There were members of Green In Gwinnett Area, Harvest Farms, Georgia Piedmont Land Trust, and other folks from Suwanee and neighboring communities.  Food and refreshments were provided for the volunteers from companies such as Honeybaked Ham and Subway.  There were prizes given away from local companies such as Print Green USA which donated (9) $30 gift certificates for laser toners, ink cartridges, or printer drums.

It is great to have a city like Suwanee Georgia who takes such good care of their residents.  Be sure to checkout the new Suwanee Downtown Website!

Think Green In Gwinnett!

Special Thanks to all of the Sponsors:

• Atlanta Bread Company, Suwanee
• Starbucks, Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
• Krispy Kreme, Buford
• Subway, 3370 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd.
• Honey Baked Ham, Peachtree Parkway
• Wal-Mart, Suwanee
• Kroger, Suwanee
• Publix, Suwanee
• Chick-fil-A, Suwanee
• Print Green USA, Suwanee

Drink filtered water instead of bottled water. Filling and reusing a stainless steel container created for long term use with water is more beneficial to the environment and your pockets than purchasing bottled water. With all of the talk about chemicals used in bottling plastics it may also prove to be even more beneficial to your health.

Recycle! In Gwinnett county (Snellville, Suwanee, Duluth, Centerville, Lawrenceville, Norcross etc) all of the garbage disposal companies (including whoever eventually ends up with the final contract) pick up the little blue bins that take away plastics, aluminum cans and glass. Call your waste disposal provider today. The more you recycle the less you throw away. This cuts down on how often you purchase garbage bags, that saves you money. WalkGreen…and Save!

Join Green In Gwinnett Area on Facebook and LinkedIn! GIGA! Spread the word!

Houseplants have more advantages for your home than just looking pretty. Houseplants can actually filter the air in your house and rid it of pollutants. If you mix night synthesizing plants (like orchids) with regular plants, your plants will work around the clock to filter your air. Different plants are good for different pollutants, for example philodendrons and aloe plants are especially good protection against formaldehyde.

Remember to think “Green In Gwinnett”! GIGA! Your Gwinnett Community based resource for the people!

Http://www.greeningwinnett.org

SUWANEE – Municipal Court Judge Mark Lewis announced that Suwanee will be the first city in Georgia to go paperless.