Roane County - Green and Getting Greener
We are actively working toward becoming a sustainable community, with a county-wide ‘Green Team" active in recycling, anti-littering and energy-efficiency programs.
In 2009 the Roane County Chamber's Economic and Community Development Committee formed a 'green team' to help member businesses take advantage of initiatives and tax credits available - helping them to become more environmentally active. It was soon realized that many businesses had already implemented green initiatives and were willing to share those practices with the committee, helping other Chamber members. Some of those initiatives:
The local Walmart in Rockwood has:
- installed sky lights over the sales floors, along with flourescent lights that automatically adjust their brightness as needed throughout the day;
- installed motion-sensitive office lights so they are on only when someone is in the room;
- recycle all their cardboard, plastic, aluminum, hangers, etc.;
- recycle all their motor oil as well as their customers', along with their used oil filters;
- request that their employees adopt green practices in their private lives, from changing light bulbs to planting trees to quitting smoking.
All area motels and hotels voted to adopt a Green Hospitality Program during a Roane County Lodging Association meeting. Though many had already implemented several green initiatives, as part of this new program they would use or put into use:
- energy-saving bulbs, water-saving equipment, recycled office supplies and environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies;
- a card program to save water by reducing the laundering of bed linens and towels;
- seasonal menus featuring locally bought produce;
- eco-friendly inks and papers;
- energy-saving measures to monitor refrigeration, etc.; and
- purchasing Energy Star complient equipment.
The Roane Alliance also teamed up with the county's 'Green Team' and learned that the county had already done some great things to make Roane County a sustainable community, such as:
- installed a solar-powered trash compactor at one of our convenience centers as part of a pilot program;
- burn used oil at the recycling centers, animal shelter, and highway department offices to heat those buildings in the winter;
- and increased the landfill diversion rate up to 40% (probably a conservative estimate) - up from a very low figure just a few years back.
Renewable Symposium Held in Roane County
On October 22, 2010 the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC) held its first membership symposium in East Tennessee in Roane County. Held at Roane State Community College in Harriman, more than 80 attendees from 29 cities, 16 counties, and 7 states met to discuss current programs and future statewide developments in renewable energy. Community leaders discussed local government best practices, alternative transportation fuels and renewable electric generation. The Roane Alliance helped organize the symposium with
Warren Nevad, TREEDC Director. For more information about TREEDC contact Warren Nevad or call the Roane Alliance at 865-376-2093.
For more information about Roane County's Green Team efforts contact:
Beth Hickman
Executive Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
The Roane Alliance
865.376.2093 or 800.386.4686
bhickman@roanealliance.org