This issue of City Connections focuses on the environment and how the City of Greensboro is working to protect our vital natural resources.

Water

Brown and parched, North Carolina and much of the southeastern US are watching water supplies dwindle as the record-breaking drought continues. But thanks to an effective water restriction ordinance, timely implementation of restrictions, the efforts of residents and businesses to conserve, and advanced planning by the Water Resources Department, the City of Greensboro has enough water in its reservoirs to last for about four months. Without the agreements in place to buy water from neighboring areas, the City would have only about three months of water left. In addition, the City built a pipeline from the Haw River in 2002 to be used in situations exactly like this one.

To help raise public awareness about the need for conservation, the City’s Public Affairs Department has launched a promotional campaign urging residents to “Conserve water now.” The campaign includes four ads that are appearing on websites, in newspapers, on TV, and on billboards throughout Greensboro – and even nationwide! Images of the billboards have appeared on CBS News, the Weather Channel and MSNBC, and information about the campaign has aired on NPR.

> Web Link: Download the ads to use in your community publications, and share your water conservation tips here.

Land

One of the easiest things you can do to protect the earth is recycle. Greensboro’s recycling program accepts 12 materials – including the newest addition, rigid plastics. An upcoming change to the program will make even more environmental sense: beginning in January, the City will begin collecting recyclables every other week. The change in frequency means City trucks will make fewer trips, which results in reduced fuel emissions.

Want to know more about recycling? Plan a trip to the newly-renovated Recycling Education Center at 706 Patton Ave. The Center is part of the FCR facility, where Greensboro’s recyclables are sorted and baled. Renovations at the Center include new flooring made from recycled tires and new paint that brightens the room. Visitors learn about the recycling process and view the recycling line.

> Web Link: Find out what’s recyclable in Greensboro and how to schedule a group visit to the recycling center.

Air

In August, the Greensboro City Council voted to support the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, adding Greensboro to the growing list of supporters. The agreement urges cities to cut their emissions by 7 percent over 1990 levels.

For several years, the City has worked diligently to reduce its emissions. One boost to the City’s efforts came in January when the NC Solar Center awarded the City a grant to purchase 20 diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) for its heavy-duty trucks. Now installed on the trucks, the DOCs are reducing emissions of particulate matter by at least 20 percent, hydrocarbons by 50 percent, and carbon monoxide by 40 percent.

> Web Link: What else is the City doing to protect the quality of our air? 

Questions or comments about this newsletter should be addressed to: Elaine Tricoli, Interim Communications Manager, 373-2421 or email.