May 2013
| Business World Magazine | 155
by 2020. That endeavor prompted numer-
ous upgrades, particularly in more efficient
lighting retrofits, but when they reached the
point of completing upgrades at the Bois-
feuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta
became the first city in the country to com-
plete this flagship project. The City also re-
cently celebrated the one-year anniversary
of the ABBC; an expansion of the initiative
that not only seeks to reduce energy and wa-
ter consumption much as twenty percent in
commercial buildings by the year 2020. At-
lanta’s original goal was to have two million
square feet of building space committed for
this goal, but thus far, commitments have
been achieved which equate to more than
50 million square feet, comprised by more
than 74 properties and eight City facilities.
Atlanta has since been ranked in the top five
of American cities with the most Energy Star
certified building. “This ranking underscores
the commitment of property owners, elected
officials, civic leaders, and our community to
make Atlanta a top-tier sustainable city. The
commercial buildings that make-up our sky-
line play a critical role in helping to reduce
our carbon footprint, while delivering both
economic and environmental benefits to our
city,” says Mayor KasimReed. “We are proud
to join other leading cities with this distinc-
tion.”
Beyond the improvements made to City
facilities, the Office of Sustainability is in-
vesting in the community as well. In the fall
of 2011, the office introduced a residen-
tial energy efficiency rebate program call
SHINE, the Sustainable Home Initiative in
the New Economy. SHINE provided rebates
for upgrading lighting, HVAC systems, add-
ing insulation, and weather-stripping to over
300 Atlanta homeowners. Through a unique
partnership with Georgia Interfaith Power
and Light (GIPL), the City seed-funded a
program that provides free energy audits to
faith houses.
In addition to a six-fold increase in recy-
cling rates within City offices and facilities,
Quarles says her office worked closely with
the Department of Public Works to expand
the city-wide recycling program known as
“Cartlanta.” This initiative allows every sin-
gly-family household in the city to contrib-
ute to landfill diversion by providing a free 96
gallon recycling carts at their home; 65,000
carts were delivered as a part of Cartlanta. “I
am pleased with the increase in our recycling
