Georgia, the heart of the Deep South, is right with the rest of America in its new found appreciation for all things green. State efforts may have lacked in some areas, but innovative local activists and governments have helped turn this peach into one of the Southeast's eco powers. Auto salvage is especially popular in the largely rural state, and auto recycling is just one of Georgia's environmental innovations. Here's the latest in Georgia's recycling and environmental news.

State Launches Recycling Awareness Ad Campaign

Despite having one of the nation's most robust recycling industries, giving new life to waste from other states, Georgia still seems to be lacking in recycling awareness. A recent study found that 45% of Georgians still don't recycle regularly, a figure state officials and business leaders find much too high. With savings of millions of dollars available and a financial crunch upon us, Georgia officials decided to act.

The fruits of their thought is a multi-year recycling awareness effort across television, radio, the internet and billboards featuring the tag line "You gotta be kidding!" The ads feature people offering up common excuses for not recycling and then answer the misconceptions. Paid for by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the campaign aims to get every recyclable out of the state's landfills.

Watering Bans Lifted After Drought Declared Over

For almost two years most of Northern Georgia has been under strict outdoor watering bans as a response to serious drought and dangerously low lakes and rivers. This month the Georgia Environmental Protection Division announced that after one of the wettest springs in more than a century, the drought is over and the ban is lifted.

Outdoor watering is still regulated, with even and odd numbered addresses getting alternating days to water. Some observers worry that drought could return, but are happy to see the bans lifted at least for a while.

Environmental Protection Division Snaps Down on Water Polluters

After a series of steep fines from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for wastewater spills and other pollution infractions, management has changed at a Carrollton water treatment facility. A $40,000 fine recently billed to the city followed by a similar incident yet to be punished seems to have begun a cascade of changes at the city's West Plant. Carrollton officials have hired a contractor to assess the plant, review staff, ascertain the source of past problems and fire people as needed.

Changes were seen as urgent, as the city designs and completes construction on a new plant and hopes to turn the page on old, bad and expensive habits. Unity seems to be prevailing among the city leadership, glad that changes have been made to prevent similar environmental damages and regulatory fines. Rindt-McDuff, an engineering firm, had been leading the project on the new plant, and now takes over management of the old facility. Officials plan on increasing the level of certification required to work at the plant and fire those employees unwilling or unable to meet the standards.