Sustainability

2023 Coastal Georgia Regional Water Council Meeting

Tybee Ship Wake Study

Permanent Outdoor Watering Restrictions Remain in Effect

From the Savannah-Chatham MPC Newsletter:

There are permanent outdoor watering restrictions for Unincorporated Chatham County, the City of Savannah, Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Tybee Island and the Town of Thunderbolt. The restrictions are mandated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) due to salt water intruding into our drinking water supply, the Floridan Aquifer.

The following outdoor watering schedules apply for all of Chatham County:

  • Odd-numbered addresses may use outdoor water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays
  • Even-numbered and un-numbered addresses may use outdoor water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
  • The use of outdoor water is not permissible between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • No watering is allowed on Fridays

Under the Board of Natural Resources’ adopted Rules for Outdoor Water Use, Chapter 391-3-30, Georgians are required to follow schedules for outdoor water use during both non-drought periods and during periods of declared drought. For more information call: 912-651-1454 or 912-651-2221 and be sure to check out page 2 for some water conservation tips.

Reducing our Carbon Footprint

Tybee’s Green Team makes every effort to shrink Tybee’s carbon footprint and we cannot do it without your help. In partnership with Sustainable Georgia, we have been focusing on solid waste reduction and energy conservation. By simply changing a few daily habits, you too can help Tybee and the rest of the world stay beautiful.

Recycle

The most important aspect of recycling is participation. Every city department has recycling bins in and around their facilities. There is no excuse for our city employees not to recycle. Considering almost every product can be recycled these days, our recycling bins should fill faster than our trash bins.

The following types of products can be recycled:

The following can be recycled, but needs special care of proper disposal. (They cannot be mixed with regular recycle items.)

  • Electronics - Electronics can be accepted at participating locations on e-cycle days. Keep your eyes and ears open for future e-cycle dates.
  • Ink Cartridges - Can be sent back or taken to the IT Department at City Hall.
  • Food Waste - Food scraps are biodegradable and can be composted to make great fertilizer for our beautiful gardens.

Save Energy

Saving energy saves money and our earth’s precious nonrenewable resources. Always consider alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. Limiting your own energy usage can go a long way for everyone.

  • Turn off computer monitors each night.
  • Turn off office lights when not in use, including when you leave the office for more than 15 minutes and use natural light whenever possible.
  • Print double sided (set double-sided as default on all printers which have this ability.)
  • Reuse envelopes and folders as many times as possible.
  • Email everything possible instead of printing hard copies.
  • Ask for large reports to be sent on CD’s instead of printed.
  • Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
  • Set thermostats at comfortable but economical ranges or open windows for natural air circulation.
  • Lower your water heater temperature.

Environmentally Friendly Purchases

It is best to reuse products before buying new, but if you must buy, buy recycled products, recyclable products, or products made from sustainable materials and renewable resources.

  • When buying new appliances, be sure they are energy star rated.
  • Try cutting back on light bulbs and replacing them with more energy efficient bulbs.
  • Use reusable drinking containers. (i.e. thermos or mug) Or buy recyclable drinking cups.

Save Water

Potable (drinkable) fresh water is one of the earth’s most limited resources and the most important for the survival of all species on earth. It is crucial that we make the most of what we have and ensure there is enough for our future generations.

  • Check toilets and any other water pipes for leaks regularly and repair them.
  • Use a toilet tank bank to displace the water in the tank. This reduces the volume of water for each flush.
  • By cutting showers back to 5 minutes or less, you can save 1,000 gallons a month.
  • Do not leave the water running while you brush your teeth.

Alternative Transportation

Bus, bike, carpool, walking, electric, solar, and natural gas are all good alternatives to the traditional gas guzzlers.

  • Bike whenever you can, as often as you can.
  • Use telephone and video conferencing for meetings.
  • Carpool whenever possible.
  • Stop unnecessary idling of vehicles.
  • Match the vehicle to the job. (Don’t use a dump truck for a job a pick-up truck can do.)
  • Regularly check vehicle tires for proper inflation.

Green Building

Building green can save energy, money, and resources.

  • Install motion detectors for lights in bathrooms, hallways, and waiting areas as practical.
  • Install programmable thermostats.
  • Use recycled building products, such as reclaimed lumber.
  • Use sustainable resources such as bamboo.
  • Install low-flow toilets and water saving faucets.

Social Responsibility

One of the best ways you can help reduce our carbon foot print on this beautiful earth is by teaching others and taking action.

Fun Facts

  • Recycling 1 aluminum can saves the energy it takes to run a computer or TV for 3 hours. A 6-pack saves enough energy to drive a car 5 miles.
  • Recycling 1 glass bottle saves the energy it takes to run a computer for 25 minutes.
  • A glass bottle can take up to a million years to decompose.
  • The average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day.
  • During World War II, Americans saved aluminum foil and even peeled off the silver wrapping from chewing gum wrappers to contribute to the war effort.
  • Only 1% of the Earth’s fresh water is available for use.
  • Americans make up 5% of the world’s total population, but we use 26% of the world’s energy and we generate 30% of the world’s garbage.
  • Glass never wears out - it can be recycled forever, over and over again!
  • A CNG vehicle is 95% cleaner than a gasoline-powered vehicle.

For more information on Sustainability Initiatives at the city of Tybee, please reach out to our Coordinator, Timeka Shannon at timeka.shannon@cityoftybee.gov.