April is arguably one of the most eco-focused months of the year. Not only does it mark Keep America Beautiful Month, but it also encompasses Earth Day. Observed by over 1 billion people in 192 countries and all across the U.S. on April 22 each year, Earth Day was first launched in 1970. In the 54 years since, it has evolved to become the largest civic event on the planet. It aims to mobilize individuals, businesses, governments, and the private sector to safeguard Earth and fight for a brighter future through community cleanups, beautification projects, and recycling events, to name a few.
A Legacy of Environmental Action
Since the very first Earth Day was celebrated…
- 100s of Millions of Trees have been Planted
- 15 Million Cleanup Volunteers have been Mobilized
- 2.7 Billion Acts of Green have been Completed
While EarthDay.org’s major focus is to reduce plastic production by 60% by 2040 for the sake of human and planetary health, the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement also emphasizes climate education, environmental advocacy, conservation and restoration, regenerative agriculture, reforestation, and more.
Celebrating Earth Day, the Gwinnett County Way
Although we observe April 22 as Earth Day with the rest of the world, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B) and Gwinnett County Solid Waste will team up on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate it with hundreds of our neighbors. Between 9 a.m. and noon, cars will line up in the Coolray Field parking lot to recycle select items that aren’t collected curbside. Included among the items we will accept during our Earth Day Recycling Event are:
- Electronics – $35 cash fee per projection or console TV, $15 cash fee per computer monitor or TV, and $5 cash fee per printer
- Tires without rims – Limit eight; no dealer tires
- Paint – both latex and oil-based – Limit 10 gallons per vehicle; cans must contain 25% wet paint or more
- Clothing
- Sneakers
- Paper for shredding – Limit five copier boxes
- And – for the first time at our annual Earth Day Recycling Event – Prescription medications can be dropped off directly to representatives of the Gwinnett County Police Department in the exhibit area at their event table as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative.
Bear in mind that items to be recycled should be placed in the trunks or backseats of vehicles, where vendors or volunteers will remove them. Containers cannot be returned, so attendees will want to bring materials in disposable containers or boxes. The event will also include opportunities to meet your solid waste providers, local police officers, community partners, and team members from GC&B and Solid Waste, as well as participate in fun activities such as touch-a-truck, face painting, body-moving music spun by our DJ, and more.
Even MORE Earth Day Fun to Be Found in Gwinnett
Pack up your camping gear and make your way to Little Mulberry Park, where Gwinnett Parks & Recreation will host an Earth Day Camp Out on April 19-20. Participants will enjoy a night spent outdoors under the stars—complete with camp-style dinner, breakfast, and s’mores around the fire. After breakfast, everyone will warm up with a park beautification volunteer opportunity. Open to all ages, this event is just $15 for Gwinnett County residents and $29 for non-residents. Learn more!
Not up for an entire evening of Earth Day frivolity? Make plans to attend Earth Day & Beyond at the George Pierce Park Community Center on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees 5 and up will participate in environmentally friendly activities, games, and more. This activity is $5 for Gwinnett County residents and $13 for non-residents. Learn more!
The City of Lawrenceville is also hosting an Earth Day Celebration on the Lawrenceville Lawn at 210 Luckie Street on Monday, April 22, from 3-8 p.m. Attendance is FREE, and all are welcome! The Gwinnett County Public Library will present an Engage in the Green Guardians Workshop to delve into renewable energy sources while crafting a hands-on STEM project for attendees to take home. Be Active Gwinnett will host outdoor activities, allowing attendees to embrace the joy of being active amidst the beauty of nature. Explore the Southeast Plant Show Market, which will feature an assortment of plant and artisan vendors. Guests can cap off their day with a sunset yoga class and a special screening of the classic movie FernGully. Learn more!
To stay on top of the latest Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful events and programs, visit www.GwinnettCB.org and connect with us on social media:
