Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has been in existence for more than 35 years. In early 1979, the Lawrenceville Junior Women’s Club identified growing community concerns about illegal dumping and littering. They convened a group of 57 citizens in September, 1979 to discuss these issues and explore ways to address illegal dumping and littering. In 1980, GCB was born to educate and engage the public in efforts to improve our environment and quality of life.
Here were some of our first steps…
1980-1985
- Began strategic partnerships with County government, Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett Chamber
- Established first county-wide newspaper and aluminum drop-off recycling centers
- Implemented comprehensive school environmental education program
- Created and implemented the Junked Car Ordinance
1986-1990
- Implemented first Christmas Tree Recycling Program in Georgia
- Created model Litter Ordinance for Georgia
- Designed, built, and funded Georgia’s first public-private recycling center
- Saved Tribble Mill Park from being sold and developed
1991 – 1995
- Created first Adopt A Stream program in Georgia
- Became Solid Waste Advisors and Administrators for Gwinnett County and Cities
- Developed and implemented new curbside recycling program
- Implemented community wide Adopt A Highway and Adopt A Road programs to increase community pride
- Implemented first storm drain stenciling program in Georgia to protect water quality
1996 – 2000
- Created and Implemented School Environmental Achievement Assessment and Awards program
- Developed and Conducted Georgia’s first Environmental Quiz Bowl
- Implemented Junk Car removal program
- Improved Gwinnett’s Tree Ordinance and best management practices
2001 – 2005
- Began Georgia’s first Governor’s Environmental Address
- Developed and implemented community wide Graffiti Prevention program
- Created and implemented Gwinnett’s first neighborhood Street Tree program
- Created and implemented Gwinnett’s median beautification program
- Developed and implemented commercial recycling processing facility
2006 – 2010
- Created and launched countywide “Fixing Broken Windows” program to reduce crime
- Implemented “No Idling” program at Gwinnett County Schools
- Conducted Gwinnett County and Cities’ Solid Waste and Recycling Study and Required Plan Update
- Rebuilt The Recycling Bank of Gwinnett after fire
- Implemented the Green & Healthy Schools Program
2011 – 2015
- Launched a Community Sensitive Document Paper Shredding Program
- Developed and implemented Operation Good Neighbor to keep neighborhoods clean and beautiful
- Developed and implemented Georgia’s first comprehensive watershed awareness and improvement program
- Developed and implemented a Youth Advisory Council
Since 1980, we have worked in partnership with more than 100,000 volunteers and 100 community partners each year…
- To protect our health
- To protect our landscape and habitats
- To protect our streams and water quality
- To be good stewards
- In support of our children and our future.