CITY OF NORCROSS

The City of Norcross recognizes that sustainability is necessary to provide a viable future for residents, businesses, and of course, the environment. They embrace the efforts that must be advanced now in order to maintain the beauty, resources and efficiency needed to drive the cities of tomorrow.

“Following sustainable practices in our city helps Norcross keep our promise of being ‘A Place to Imagine’.”

- Jalia Killings, Sustainability Planner

Norcross’ status as a Platinum Certified Green Community is evidence of the tireless efforts the mayor, city council and staff have put forth to protect the environment. It is also thanks to the efforts of the Sustainable Norcross Commission, whose mission is to promote and institute eco-friendly initiatives, submit proposals to the mayor and council and assist with Green Community renewals.

It’s through the power of sustainable groups, initiatives and events that Norcross has set a standard of success for other cities striving to go green.

Norcross has earned many accreditations for its eco efforts, including a Bee City USA certification for working to preserve pollinators and their habitats. These efforts then drove them to their most recent award: The Visionary City Award, gifted by the Georgia Municipal Association, which Norcross earned for its community education efforts and recent completion of a City Hall Pollinator Garden.

The garden is a haven of flora and fauna, attracting colonies of bees, butterflies and other insects to make it a home. Residents are invited to visit anytime or attend pollinator workshops to learn about the tiny creatures that frequent the garden.

Newton Mayor

Norcross has also been recognized as a Certified Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation for 18 years for their advocacy for trees and green spaces. The City instills a “no net loss of trees” policy which requires a developing site to maintain tree canopy coverage or compensate by paying the city for the number of trees that cannot be replaced to allow the city to plant trees elsewhere. Currently, 38% of Norcross is covered by tree canopies while 99% of residents live within one half-mile of parks or green space.

Gardening sustainably isn’t just beneficial for pollinators, but for our health as well. Green gardening means reducing pesticide use and incorporating compost in your garden. For these reasons, residents are encouraged to put their green thumbs to use at home. And if there isn’t a viable spot in their yards, the City’s got a solution: Discovery Garden Park. This local green space offers community garden plots to be rented yearly for a small fee.

Norcross’ Farm Fresh Days also makes locally grown produce more accessible by hosting an open-air farmers and artisans market throughout the year.

Eliminating waste, especially on a city-wide scale, is easier said than done. The best advice Jalia Killings, Norcross’s Sustainability Planner, can give when it comes to waste is to try and find an alternative purpose for something before discarding it. “Waste isn’t waste until you waste it,” explains Jalia.

However, waste is inevitable. So Norcross implemented disposal measures to curb the potential for trash to end up in recycling. In 2022, their “Feet on the Street” initiative conducted a recycling bin audit which reduced contamination in local recycling streams by 31%.

In addition to free curbside recycling, yard waste pickup and glass recycling, the City hosts a bi-annual Recycling and Clean-Up Day. Plus, June promises the City’s first ever Household Hazardous Waste Collection event where residents can safely dispose of paints, lawn care products, batteries, light bulbs and more.

Norcross encourages residents to use alternative transportation methods which reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Perhaps the biggest way they promote this is through Pedal Norcross, a 2.5-mile annual bike ride that promotes biking as an economical form of transportation and educates riders on safety measures.