Gatlinburg Goes Green

The environmentally conscious will be happy to hear that Gatlinburg has gone green. Gatlinburg Goes Green is a local awareness amongst residents and business owners in the Gatlinburg community. Many have pledged to take every opportunity to be environmentally conscious in their lives and businesses. Local efforts even include the building of the first green hotel in Tennessee. If you’re looking to go on a “green” vacation then Gatlinburg TN is the perfect spot for you.

Community efforts to go green have been going on since 1979. They wanted to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife so that it would last for the enjoyment of future generations. Since 1979 locals have been reducing their wastes, protecting trees, building compost plants, reducing solid wastes, purchasing hybrid modes of transportation, using alternative modes for heating, establishing recycle centers, and many more things to become more eco-friendly. In 2000 tests for hybrid trolleys and cars were tested and in 2003 Gatlinburg purchased 3 CNG police cars. By 2008 recycling containers were placed in all city buildings. Future plans for progressing Gatlinburg’s green efforts include converting street lights into LED lighting. The Convention Center has decided to offer Green Meeting programs as well.

A few people have even gotten together to come up with green travel ideas. This will help people to travel and reduce the impact travel has on the environment. Some of their ideas include keeping showers short and shutting off water when not in use, turning off heat and air and other electrical appliances when not in the room, reusing towels and sheets as opposed to having them washed and changed every day, sorting trash, recycle, etc. Air travel is also an important way to get to and from destinations. Minimize the environmental effects of travels by renting smaller, economy or hybrid vehicles to use during your vacation. Staying at green scored hotels also offset your “carbon footprint”. Many hotels, attractions and restaurants have made the decision to go green and have green scores that you could enjoy while vacationing.

Going green is so easy! There are many things you can do to help the community. Energy Star has many products and appliances that are environmentally friendly. To save energy make sure you turn off all lights and anything that uses electricity should be unplugged to conserve the power. Even turning your computers on sleep mode help conserve energy. Washing clothes on warm and cold cycles also help! Shorter showers, cleaning refrigerator coils, keeping blinds/curtains closed during the winter nights, and cleaning/changing air filters will also assist in being more energy efficient.

Conserving air and water can also assist in becoming more “green”. Changing your shower head to a more efficient one would cut down on how much water is used while showering. Watering lawns early in the morning minimizes evaporation and repairing dripping faucets and leaky toilets when first noticed are great ways to start. If you have a short commute to work you could walk or ride a bike. This minimizes the amount of pollution into the environment. Even small changes to land and waste management can cut down the harmful effects on the environment. Try to eliminate the pesticides used on your lawn. Buy recycled products, rechargeable batteries and donating old clothes and even cell phones cut down on the land and waste. If you have the option of online pay for your bills that reduces the amount of wasted paper as well.

Many business in Gatlinburg took a “green” pledge. Attractions such as Ober Gatlinburg ski resort and amusement center took the green oath along with the Ripley’s Aquarium. Camp Thunder and Fort Fun also took their pledges to become more eco friendly. These attractions, along with a few others, have decided to take the step to being more environmentally conscience and take steps to prevent environmental damages. There are a few restaurants that have also taken the steps and given their green pledges. Bennett’s BBQ, Bubba Gump’s, The Peddler, Park Grill, etc. took the steps to become “green” facilities. It has become a community effort to preserve the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and keep it enjoyable for the future generations to enjoy.

Minimize the amount of carbon dioxide put out in the community and help Gatlinburg TN go green. Even small changes can make the biggest impacts! Visit our website at www.gatlinburggoesgreen.com to make a pledge to go green as well!

Here at Cabins For You we have taken the pledge to start going green. We realize this process is very long and difficult, but it is a process we believe in for our customers and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gatlinburg Goes Green

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Gatlinburg Goes Green