Buildings & Materials
Here’s the deal
Buildings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through the electricity and energy used to power, heat and cool. In 2017, Georgia’s commercial and residential buildings were responsible for about 30% of the state’s emissions. We know that increasing energy efficiency in existing buildings can reduce electricity and energy demand. This category also considers the emissions associated with materials, such as recyclables and hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.
Recycling/Waste
Management
Recy...
Increased industrial and commercial recycling, increased paper recycling and increased recycling at the community/household level can reduce greenhouse gas emissions because recycling materials is often less energy intensive than creating new materials.
Refrigerant
Management
Refr...
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — the chemicals used to cool refrigerators and air conditioners — are an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Controlling leakages and replacing HFCs with alternative refrigerants as well as properly disposing of existing HFCs is a critical issue globally.
Retrofitting
Retr...
Buildings use electricity and natural gas for heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), water heating, lighting, and to power appliances and electronic devices — up to 30% of greenhouse gases globally comes from these energy hogs. Retrofitting existing buildings to make them more efficient has tremendous potential to accelerate our progress.
Recycling/Waste Management
Increased industrial and commercial recycling, increased paper recycling and increased recycling at the community/household level can reduce greenhouse gas emissions because recycling materials is often less energy intensive than creating new materials.
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">Learn More
Refrigerant Management
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — the chemicals used to cool refrigerators and air conditioners — are an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Controlling leakages and replacing HFCs with alternative refrigerants as well as properly disposing of existing HFCs is a critical issue globally.
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">Learn More
Retrofitting
Buildings use electricity and natural gas for heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), water heating, lighting, and to power appliances and electronic devices — up to 30% of greenhouse gases globally comes from these energy hogs. Retrofitting existing buildings to make them more efficient has tremendous potential to accelerate our progress.
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">Learn More
Here’s where we are
Recycling often uses less energy than producing a new good. Therefore, it is a powerful way to reduce emissions in Georgia. According to UGA Extension, as much as 28% of Georgia’s household waste sent to landfills could be recycled. That’s nearly 2 million tons!
Here’s where we are
Stories & Studies
Eco-Action Scales Climate Solutions on Atlanta's West Side
What do composting, plant-based diets, and home energy efficiency projects have in common? They are all climate solutions that can be harnessed to reduce emissions while improving the quality of life for historically disinvested communities in Georgia.
Don't Just Throw It Away! Recycle Your Trash Instead
“Just throw it away.” How often have you heard that old chestnut? And just where, exactly, is “away”? Surely not within throwing distance. Let’s take a look at why throwing so many things away can have a significant impact on our environment
Groundswell Delivers Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Projects in Georgia
Energy-efficient retrofits are an important climate solution for Georgia. Why? Buildings use electricity and natural gas for heating, cooling, ventilating, water heating, lighting, and to power appliances and electronic devices. Up to 30% of greenhouse gasses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries dominate in Georgia’s building products?
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia is a leader in paper and pulp products, with an economic output of $13.1 billion in 2018, representing almost 20,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in annual wages and salaries.
Why focus on refrigerants?
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are chemicals used to cool refrigerators and air conditioners. They are also an extremely potent greenhouse gas, with thousands of times the heat trapping potential of CO2. This class of chemicals was used to replace CFCs, a class of refrigerant chemicals that were phased out because they were depleting the ozone layer. In December 2020, Congress passed legislation to phase down HFCs nationwide by 40% by 2024 and by 85% by 2036. The phase down will be administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is our current recycling rate?
In 2011, Georgia recycled only approximately 0.7 million tons out of 10.6 million tons of MSW, or a recycling rate of about 6.6%. This is significantly below the U.S. average rate of 22.6% reported by the same study (Shin, 2014).