Going green: your questions and my answers

Going Green: Your Questions and My Answers is a new feature that will spotlight environmental questions I have received from people in and around Savannah. If you live or work in Savannah and have a question about going green or want more information about environmental news in Savannah, email your question to lpinder@thetakeactionnetwork.com or post a question below in the comment section of this article.

KB forwarded the following questions to me:

"I have been reading your posts and thought that you might be able to direct me in a question I have. I live in Savannah. Do you know of any programs that help Savannah home owners go green? My parents live up in Raleigh, NC and the city offers "deals" on composters and rain barrels. Do we have something like this here?"

My Answer:

Here's some info I found for you:

[1] Recycle Savannah is a community partnership between the City of Savannah, Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education, private and home schools, local industries, and the citizens of Savannah. Recycle Savannah is an effective tool to conserve natural resources, preserve energy, reduce pollution, create revenue, and save on landfill space.

Savannah residents have an opportunity to participate in recycling through various programs – School Recycling, White Goods Program, Bacon Park Transfer Station, the Recycling Complex, and various satellite Drop-Off Sites – all sponsored by the City of Savannah. Collectively these programs divert thousands of tons of refuse annually from the City’s landfill and provide a source of revenue to offset the cost of operation and disposal.

Recyclables will be collected twice monthly on the same day as your regular household waste collection.

If your household waste is collected on… then your recycling material is collected on the…
Monday 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
Tuesday 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Wednesday 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
Thursday 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month

Recycling is made easy utilizing the single-stream method. All acceptable recyclables will be collected into one container. No sorting! The recyclables will be transported to the Pratt Industries Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where they will be sorted, sold to various vendors, and eventually manufactured into new products.

Every item recycled helps to conserve our natural resources, saves on landfill space, and makes a definite environmental impact. The City is committed to providing effective solid waste management through state-of-the-art recycling methods to ensure a safe, clean, and environmentally healthy community.

Recycling Coordinator Office
(912) 651-1967

[2] Operation Clean Sweep

The City picks-up bulky items - such as old furniture and appliances -- curbside. City crews cut overgrown lots, tow derelict vehicles, pick up trash, trim limbs and conduct warrant sweeps from Monday through Thursday.

For more information contact Pauline V. Haywood, OCS Coordinator at 912.651.6529, or via e-mail at pauline_haywood@savannahga.gov.

[3] Low-Flow Toilets Voucher Program

The City of Savannah's Water Resources Bureau is proud to bring you the Toilet Voucher Program. The program offers vouchers for a free, low-flow toilet from our partner, Ferguson Enterprises. The Toilet Voucher Program is designed to replace old, water-wasting toilets with more efficient models, specifically approved by the City of Savannah.

TO QUALIFY:

Low-flow toilets must be installed in a single-family dwelling built before 1993.
Applicant must have a current and up-to-date water account with the City of Savannah.
Applicant must provide a COPY of the most current water bill.
Limit is one toilet per household and no voucher will be issued to applicants who have received toilets in past years during the City's one-day toilet giveaway event.
Applicant must replace a 3.5 gallon per flush or higher toilet with the low-flow toilet.
Applicant agrees to dispose of the old toilet by bringing it to the Dean Forest Landfill. Applicant will not sell or improperly dispose of the old toilet.
Applicant agrees to pay any costs associated with installing the new toilet.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Call 912-651-2221 or email lwalker@savannahga.gov to request an application. Please read all the instructions and qualifications carefully.
Applicants MUST complete an application and receive a voucher before purchasing an approved low-flow toilets. Rebates WILL NOT be issued. Mail completed application to:

City of Savannah

   ATTN: Sarah Barlow
   Water and Sewer Dept.
   PO BOX 1027
   Savannah, GA 31402

[4] The Earth Machine Compost Bin or the System Rain Barrel are both for sale by the City of Savannah for $45 and $55 respectively.

City of Savannah, ATTN: Sarah Barlow
Water and Sewer Dept.
PO BOX 1027
Savannah, GA 31402

I hope that helps!

**If you live or work in Savannah and have a question about going green or want more information about environmental news in Savannah, email your question to lpinder@thetakeactionnetwork.com or post a question below in the comment section of this article.**