DOUBLETREE HOTEL CONSERVES WATER & SAVES $$

In July the Doubletree Hotel ~ Atlanta Buckhead invested in a plumbing project to recycle their refrigeration compressor cooling water. The under $9,000 investment paid back in two weeks from reduced water bills! By year end, the Doubletree estimates the project will save 1 million gallons of water.

Previously this water-cooled system sent the used water down the drain. Always striving to improve environmental efficiencies, General Manager David Rossman and his team installed a dedicated re-circulation loop for the walk-in coolers which streamed the water back into the existing cooling tower.

In addition, the City of Atlanta is crediting the hotel 2.3 cents for every gallon of water that is safely reused! What a way to reduce the burden on the fragile water and sewer system in our city.

Check out these impresssive ROI numbers:

In the first three months since the work was completed, the Doubletree Atlanta-Buckhead saved 695,334 gallons of water and $15,993 in water/sewer expense.


Average Reduction:

August '07/'08: 222 gallons
August '09: 192 gallons

September '07/'08: 202 gallons
Septemper '09: 128 gallons

October '07/'08: 184 gallons
October '08: 140 gallons

Average '07/'08: 202 gallons
Average '09: 151 gallons

Average savings of 51 gallons of water per occupied room monthly!

NBC FEATURES GOT GREEN KITS

Jerry Thomas, CEO & Founder of Got Green Kits and Enviroclean USA, had his live television debut November 15 on NBC’s Atlanta Today Show. As a GFA member, Jerry serves on the Cleaning & Pest Control Committee, and is a strong contributor to creating practices for a toxic-free foodservice establishment.

GFA HONORED WITH GRACE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

On November 15 Holly Elmore, GFA founder and Executive Director, received the Innovator of the Year Award at the 2009 GRACE Awards. Chris Coan with Gas South, a GFA Sapling Sponsor, presented the award at the sold-out gala. What a tremendous honor!

In her acceptance speech, Holly thanked Ron Wolf, Georgia Restaurant Association CEO, for his vision and support to recognized the GFA as an affiliate of the GRA effective August, 2008. Click here for the acceptance speech video and to hear about the others who contributed to the GFA's success. ('Enter Site' and click video 1.)

Restaurant Forum magazine dedicates its entire November issue to the GRACE Awards, with a page discussing to the Innovator of the Year.

The best part of the award is the current GFA projects are the low-hanging fruit and we are only beginning our journey … Stay Tuned!!

LEN FOOTE HIKE INN GOES GREENER WITH SOLAR PANELS

Assessable via a five-mile mountain trail from the top of Amicalola Fall in North Georgia, Len Foote Inn has always used sustainable practices. This summer the Inn partnered with GFA member Soenso Energy to include a solar panel on the roof. Now hikers take hot showers with solar-heated water at the end of a long day!

In addition to the solar panels, (pictured right), Len Foote Hike Inn has composting toilets and worm beds for left over food.

Walk your talk ~ travel to North Georgia and hike into Len Foote Hike Inn for a sustainable way to enjoy the fall color season.

WHOLESOME WAVE LAUNCHES GEORGIA CHAPTER

The East Atlanta Village Farmers Market is excited to announce the launch of Wholesome Wave Georgia. Wholesome Wave is a national foundation whose mission is to "encourage and support increased production, availability and access to fresh, healthy and affordable locally grown food for the benefit of all".

Visit the Wholesome Wave website to learn more about their Double Value Coupon Program to aid families on assistance. Last spring the Washington Post ran an article on the Wholesome Wave program as well.

CROWN PLAZA RAVINIA RECEIVES GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

GFA member and ZWZ~Perimeter Atlanta Champion, Crown Plaza Ravinia is the first hotel in Georgia to receive the prestigious Green Globe Certification. Congrats to the Crown Plaza team for your outstanding commitment to making a difference.

Certification requirements include Green Meetings, linen reuse program, low-flow showerheads and sink faucets in all guestrooms, and biodegradable cleaning chemicals. Energy efficient lighting was installed in 2008 in all public space, with guestrooms currently on schedule to be converted. The hotel donates partially used guestroom amenities, discarded linen and furniture to local charity organizations.

For more information on Crown Plaza Ravinia’s impressive designation, read the article on the Reuters’ website.

City of Atlanta Launches Recycling Incentive Program

The City of Atlanta, in partnership with Rehrig Pacific, a container company and service provider, along with sponsor Coca-Cola Enterprises, announce the launch of an exciting new recycling rewards pilot program coming to Atlanta residents, powered by RecycleBank. Check it out.

The program, called ReCART (Rewards for Collecting All Recyclables Together) Curbside Recycling Pilot Project, is already a success in twenty-one states and in the United Kingdom, the new recycling rewards program allows households to earn points redeemable at local and national retailers in exchange for recycling

Hurray for Atlanta! Keep moving forward towards sustainability.