At their July 10, 2019, meeting, Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of legislation sponsored by Board Chairman Robb Pitts and co-sponsored by Vice-Chairman Lee Morris to reduce the use of single-use plastics and begin substituting those products with sustainable alternatives. After renewed conversations with the community at large, the board decided to repeal and replace a similar resolution passed on April 17, 2019. The new resolution promotes stronger collaboration with the community and seeks to take a more phased approach. The proposal still seeks to have internal policies in place that minimize the use of single-use plastic products in Fulton County owned, operated, and leased facilities starting January 1, 2020. Fulton County staff worked extensively with residents, industry groups and other municipalities to insure the final resolution met the goals set by County leadership.

“The final adopted legislation achieves the goal of making Fulton County a leader in environmental responsibility,” says Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts. “Clearly, we hope other jurisdictions will adopt legislation to improve our environment through a team effort between government, communities, and industry.”

The new resolution keeps the Board of Commissioners and community involved and engaged in the process through association with the board appointed Fulton County Citizens Commission on the Environment (FCCCE). The plan adopted includes an amendment which directs the Fulton County Energy and Sustainability Manager and the Chief Financial Officer to work closely with the FCCCE in maintaining the list of “single-use items” to be posted on the Fulton County website. The list of those materials will be provided to the Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance to ask potential County vendors to seek viable non-plastic alternatives to single-use plastics.

"I am very pleased with the strong collaboration in the successful passage of this resolution,” says Fulton County Deputy Chief Operating Officer Ellis Kirby. “This resolution is a key part of our recently approved Sustainability Plan and sends a message that Fulton County is committed to environmental responsibility in our operations."