ZWZ RECEIVES 60 MILLION MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

Wow ~ the ZWZ has received 60 million media impressions since the February 10 ZWZ~Downtown Atlanta press conference. The fun part is we are only beginning our journey in sustainability!

Thank you to Communications 21 for coordinating the ZWZ public relations ~ congratulations on the phenomenal results!!

ATLANTA AMONG NATION'S "CITIES OF CHANGE"

Earth911 posted a great story, including Atlanta among the nation's "cities of change." The ZWZ was the reason for including Atlanta and it is thrilling to know we are getting national recognition for our efforts. This is the first I have seen Atlanta included along with San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Austin as city in the forefront with sustainable projects.

ZWZ TO AIR ON VOICE OF AMERICA

Voice of America producer Jose Espinosa visited Atlanta this spring and filmed a series of green projects in the metro area. The first of these videos are scheduled to air in August to their international audience. For a sneak preview, click here. To watch the ZWZ video click view all videos and it comes up as the final video

DOUBLETREE CLOSES LOOP WITH CHEF'S GARDEN

When he takes on a project, Dave Rossman, General Manager Doubletree Hotel Atlanta ~ Buckhead, takes it the full circle to completion. As the ZWZ~Buckhead Champion, Dave’s passion for sustainability goes beyond the hotel’s recycling and composting.

This spring the Doubletree planted a chef’s garden in their patio area with the assistance of Bobby Wilson, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Office for Urban Gardening.

The Doubletree food waste is hauled to Greenco Environmental for composting. Greenco compost was used in the garden planting. Executive Chef David Edwards oversees the garden and uses it bounty in his culinary creations for the hotel. What a beautiful circle completion!

ZWZ~OFF-PREMISES CATERING LAUNCHES

Patrick Cuccaro with Affairs to Remember (link: www.affairs.com) is leading the charge on establishing a Zero Waste Zone ~ Off-Premises Catering. The ZWZ was formerly announced at a June 17 participants meeting attended by over 20 of Atlanta’s prominent caterers.

Affairs to Remember meets the Phase I zone criteria and is looking for other caterers to join the charge to making a difference. Please contact Sandy Rothstein at sandy@affairs.com if you are interested. For further details on Zero Waste Zones download the ZWZ brochure

ZWZ~MIDTOWN FORMING

Excitement is building in Midtown for a ZWZ~Midtown! The Midtown Alliance contacted the GFA about a ZWZ and Steve Simon, Fifth Group Partner, is the Zone Champion. ECCO in Midtown meets the ZWZ criteria.

Please contact Holly Elmore at holly@GreenFoodserviceAlliance.org if your Midtown restaurant is interested in join the ZWZ~Midtown as a Charter Participant.

ECCO GOES DUMPSTER FREE

Yikes ~ someone stole ECCO’s dumpster! No, not really, it was returned to the waste hauling company. Once Steve Simon, Fifth Group Partner, completed the ZWZ criteria at ECCO, there was nothing left for the dumpster and it is now gone.

Congrats to Steve and ECCO on an amazing feat: Atlanta’s First Dumpster Free Restaurant!