Eco Village

DOGWOOD GOES GREEN!

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Focuses on Green Initiative With U.S. Green Building Council-Georgia Chapter

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival has celebrated nature since its inception, but with the signing of a partnership agreement with the U.S. Green Building Council – Georgia Chapter, the 74-year-old festival is putting in place a Green Event Initiative that will have long-term benefits for the park, the city and Atlantans. As part of the Green Event Initiative, the festival is working with TRRU Productions Services to add sustainable operations to the festival as well as adding an Eco-Village to its already outstanding offerings.

The USGBC-GA, TRRU and Dogwood Festival partnership strives to set a new standard for making festivals environmentally friendly and hopes to become an example for other events to follow.
Aspects of the Green Event Initiative include:
• First-time requirements for food vendors to use only recyclable and/or compostable containers and supplies•    Waste Recovery & Recycling Centers throughout the park to collect compostables, recyclables, and landfill waste.  These centers will be staffed by the Girl Scouts of America - Atlanta Council as part of their “Forever Green Initiative” in order to assist and educate festival-goers on which materials go in which containers and why

• Use of LED lighting on three acoustic stages

•Use of bio-diesel for all generators
Capturing all food vendor grease to create 75 gallons of bio-diesel
• Dedicated booths in the Green Village featuring companies with sustainable initiatives and products

• Discovery Education Centers in the Eco-Village to encourage people to participate in sustainable practices such as:  green building, composting, recycling, renewable energy, and water conservation