The Mayor ROCHELLE ROBINSON about reuse. The ReFUSE and ReUSE campaign has been designed to do just that. KDB has already begun to implement the campaign by launching their BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle/Bag) program. Keep Douglasville Beautiful recently handled recycling duties and promoted reusable bottles at a Special Olympics event on March 26. Shortly thereafter, on March 28, they were on hand at the Highway 5 Kroger to promote the use of reusable bags There are a ton of resources online that you can search to learn how to better reuse items and what the benefits are. One of the things They say that “April showers bring May flow-
that Keep Douglasville has communicated to
ers,” but I’m hoping that we can have a little
me is that normal consumers can save up to
break from the rain this April! It seems like it
$1,400 per year by switching to a reusable
has been raining nonstop for months now. I’m
water bottle! I didn’t believe it at first, but if
really looking forward to seeing some green
you drink the recommended eight glasses of
come back and some flowers in bloom!
water per day, that can add up to $1,400 of
As I anticipate the beauty that comes along
disposable water bottles. As for the reusable
with the spring season, I can’t keep my mind
bags, they are so much more environmental-
from wandering toward all the beautification
ly friendly. Americans discard approximately
projects and programs that we have on the
1.8 billion bags every week. Yes, every week!
horizon in the City of Douglasville. Much of the
A plastic bag can take anywhere from 15 to
success we’ve had in that area can be attribut-
1,000 years to decompose. In a landfill, where
ed to the successes of our Keep Douglasville
they are not in the ideal environment to break
Beautiful (KDB) program. Since April is Keep
down naturally, it can take longer. Not to men-
America Beautiful Month, I decided to high-
tion they are unsightly when they are flying
light some of the exciting programs that the
around town on a windy day.
City’s Keep America Beautiful affiliate, Keep Douglasville Beautiful, has in store. Earlier this year, KDB launched its newest
to think about ways of reusing and recycling.
campaign: ReFUSE and ReUSE. Just like its
Keep Douglasville Beautiful has their Spring
name, this campaign focuses on encouraging
Recycling Event on Saturday April 25th at the
more reuse. Reusing everyday items like hand
First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville lo-
towels, bags, and reusable water bottles help
cated at 9190 Campbellton Street. Make sure
people produce less waste, conserve natural
to stop by and drop off your recyclables and
resources, build healthier personal habits, and
take the opportunity to ask questions! Let’s
even saves money.
keep finding ways of “Keeping Douglasville
Many municipalities around the U.S. and
52
As we consider how to help improve the beauty of our hometown, I would urge you
Beautiful!”
the world have had to eliminate or scale down
As always, I look forward to seeing you and
their recycling programs. As a result, plastics
your families out and about during this spring
are no longer being accepted, international
season. If you have any questions or would like
markets are closed to imports of recycling ma-
further information about beautification proj-
terials, and recycling fees are being drastical-
ects, visit the City of Douglasville website at
ly increased. Keep Douglasville Beautiful has
DouglasvilleGA.gov. May God bless you, your
identified the exponential need to educate
family, and the City of Douglasville!
Chapel Hill News & Views COMMUNITY | MAYOR
WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY?
Each month I would like to introduce you to a City employee. This month it is Keep Douglasville Beautiful’s Program Coordinator, Stephanie McFall. Stephanie is responsible for the Adopt-ARoad program for Douglasville and has developed the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle program that promotes litter education to students and volunteer civic organizations. She writes grants for various KDB projects and was most recently awarded a matching grant that will help to put a community garden in the Mill Village area. Stephanie also assists the director of KDB in various community beautification projects like the MLK Day tree planting at Douglas County High School where 63 new trees were planted. A professed Air Force brat, Stephanie has lived in Douglasville for 13 years, twice as long as she’s lived anywhere in her life! She graduated from Samford University with a B.A. in Mass Communications and a Speech minor. She is married to Pastor Steve McFall of Central Baptist Church and stays busy in the evenings and on weekends with their four children. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys reading, has written 13 plays, numerous skits, watching college sports, and loves a good waffle! If you would like Stephanie to come speak to your group or would like to volunteer with a KDB project, she can be contacted at mcfalls@ douglasvillega.gov or by calling the KDB office at 678.449.3238. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS