The stats from the first seven months of 2023 are in, and the leadership team at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has a lot to crow about. The Keep America Beautiful affiliate has hosted 15 community events to date this year, and the results are impressive.

“These results are proof positive that what we’re doing is working,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “We’re not always good about tooting our own horn but feel it’s important to show our most dedicated followers, volunteers, and donors, as well as our neighbors who would like to be more involved, that we’re having an impact. Our efforts have a lasting effect on the environment, the beautification of our cities, local economies, and community pride.” 

Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s impact to date – often supported by partner organizations like Gwinnett County Departments of Solid Waste Management and Water Resources – includes the following events:

• Bring One for the Chipper – This annual event engaged roughly 100 volunteers and staff members. 837 live Christmas trees were collected – resulting in over 21 tons of mulch to be used in Gwinnett Parks and Recreation areas.

• February Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – 50 volunteers served 949 Gwinnett County neighbors by collecting 50.76 tons of household hazardous waste from their vehicles for recycling or proper disposal – that’s roughly the weight of an adult humpback whale.

• Earth Day Recycling Event – More than 1,500 Gwinnett County neighbors converged at Coolray Field for this annual event to recycle items like tires, electronics, latex and oil-based paint, clothing, sneakers, and paper for shredding. In just three hours, 115 volunteers helped collect 3,200 pounds of textiles, 4,557 gallons of latex or oil-based paints, nine tons of tires, 19 tons of electronics, and 19 tons of paper.

• 9^th Annual Great Gwinnett Wetlands – Over 100 volunteers and staff members removed invasive privet, collected litter, and conducted habitat assessments on two sections of Sweetwater Creek – a vital wetland for Gwinnett. Over the course of four hours, 35 bags of trash totaling 555 pounds were collected. The bulk of the work involved clearing a half-acre wetland area of invasive privet. A team also conducted a stream habitat survey with Chris Kodani from Clayton State University.

• July Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – 40 volunteers and staff members processed 817 cars in three hours, collecting 79,335 pounds - or 39.67 TONS - of household hazardous waste for recycling or proper disposal – roughly the weight of 2 fully loaded school buses.

In addition, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has hosted seven Adopt-A-Stream workshops and several cleanup and beautification events at Gas South District’s Gateway Park. The Keep America Beautiful affiliate also completes a three-day survey of local areas called the Community Appearance Index each year. This year’s numbers show a marked improvement over last year, demonstrating the ongoing success of the organization’s Adopt-A-Road Program. Augmenting its own efforts, the eco-focused nonprofit has participated in countless events hosted by Gwinnett County, local municipalities, and other partnering organizations. One of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s most robust initiatives involves a partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools through the Green & Healthy Schools Program.

With a little over a quarter of 2023 remaining, Marlatt encourages Gwinnett County neighbors to “join the movement” either by volunteering or participating in future Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Events, including America Recycles Day on November 4, 2023 or by becoming part of its year-round Adopt-A-Road or Adopt-A-Stream Programs. To learn more, visit  www.GwinnettCB.org.