Savannah is going green in more than just the literal sense of live oak canopies shading the Historic District or the beer on St. Patty's Day.  Relatively new to this ecological trend, Savannah is adopting a rapidly pro-active approach to protect the environment and local communities.  With a 2008 pledge by city government to make Savannah an environmentally healthy community, officials are leading by example with Sustainable Energy forums and by measuring their "carbon footprint" of planet-warming gasses emitted during business hours.  The call for ecological enlightenment has extended throughout Green Savannah in areas of business, recycling, alternative energy, food, clothing, and organic sources.

     The Recycling Complex: Education & Drop-Off Center located at 14 Interchange Court off West Gwinnett Street is luring Green Savannah to drop off such bulky items as #1 and 2 plastics; aluminum and tin cans; even appliances. The city gives out educational materials for children and adults who want to learn more about how their refuse affects Savannah and the planet.  For more information click our link at RecyclingCenter.com.  Also slated to open in late 2008, Newell Recycling (http://www.newellrecycling.com/) one of the largest recyclers and processors of recycled metals in the Southeast, is opening a state-of-the-art facility near Savannah in Garden City. Curbside recycling services for both conscientious residential and business consumers will be available as of January 2009 through the City of Savannah's Sanitation Bureau, and details can be found at http://savannahecoservices.com/.  Various recycling activities are scheduled throughout the year by Green Savannah and its supporters, and in typical local fashion these outings become social events.

     The Savannah Chapter of the United States Green Building Council is another force dedicated to promoting sustainable green design & green building throughout the coastal region.  Details and membership information can be found at http://chapters.usgbc.org/savannah/.     More groundbreaking progress in the area of eco-friendly & sustainable developments within Green Savannah has been led by real estate developer Melaver-Mouchet http://www.melaver.com/.  Not only responsible for Savannah's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building at 104 East State Street, Melaver-Mouchet has made Green Savannah proud to feature the country's first LEED-certified and Environmental shopping mall, Abercorn Common,  (http://www.abercorncommon.com/).  Boasting such sustainable features as a cistern to catch 5,000,000 gallons of rainwater per year, a highly-reflective white roof to reflect heat and keep the entire center cooler, and a porous parking lot to allow storm water to drain naturally, the shopping center also features a sustainable McDonald's restaurant.  In the quest to alter a prototypical fast food restaurant to LEED qualifications and standards in a cost effective manner, Melaver-Mouchet achieved Gold Certification for the franchise location.  Other projects have followed, most notably a sustainable development for public/affordable housing units currently under construction, which is to be known as Fellwood.

     The Georgia Ports Authority has made a commitment to be eco friendly as well, with changes such as crane electrification, reduced diesel fuel usage and increased railway transportation.  Savannah Air Center (http://www.savannahaircenter.com/), located at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, has expanded to accommodate green completions by doubling capacity with a new hangar.  International developer AMB Property Corp (http://www.amb.com/.) recently announced the opening of a 343,000-square-foot eco friendly warehouse in western Chatham County. The company, which is planning several more warehouses on the site, was initially attracted to the Savannah area because the port is not only the fastest growing in the nation but also the only port that has seen double-digit growth. 

     More innovations in the advancement of Green Savannah are exemplified by local businesses specializing in eco friendly lawn care, green cleaning services, solar power, soy-based ink printing, green furniture, organic restaurants and caterers.   Sustainable transportation has increased markedly as electric car conversions, fuel-converted autos and hybrid vehicles turn up more & more on Savannah streets.  Tourism is a major contributor to the area commerce, and Green Savannah tour companies are also looking at an eco friendly future with a shift toward electric scooters, pedicabs and bicycle rickshaws.  

     Savannah has long lived up to its name as the "Hostess City of the South", with numerous festivals, parties and social gatherings throughout the year.  A recurring "Green Theme" has begun to emerge, as events like Greenfest, Earth Day, and the Water Festival draw crowds intent on having fun and saving the environment.  Starland Farmers Market  ( http://www.starlandfarmersmarket.com/ )in downtown Savannah also draws a regular crowd every Saturday with the promise of organic and locally grown produce, crafts, music and street performances.

     Several environmental organizations also call Green Savannah home.  The Sierra Club http://sierraclub.org/ga/, Georgia Conservancy http://gaconservancy.org/Home/Home.asp, Surfrider Foundation http://surfrider.org/ and Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project http://www.tybeemsc.org/turtles.html are always looking for help with various initiatives and programs. 

Yes, little old Savannah, the country's first planned city, is now on a path to become one of the country's greenest cities.  So celebrate Green Savannah-and remember to recycle!