The city of Gardendale has been recognized in the Green Resource Center for Alabama’s yearly progress report, which highlights developments toward making the state more environmentally friendly.

The Green Resource Center is a non-profit organization that seeks to disseminate information about environmentally-friendly programs and initiatives. The report focuses on big issues, like the recovery after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico over the summer, but it also makes mention of smaller achievements, such as a recycling grant Gardendale received in August from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), an organization discussed in length in the Green Resource Center’s report. The city just finalized paperwork on receiving the grant.

“God blessed us with a beautiful natural environment, and I think it is our duty to make every effort to preserve that beauty,” said Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips.

The city applied for over $100,000 in grant money and was awarded $30,110. The grant money from ADEM is intended to enhance the city’s recycling programs; Phillips said the grant will help the city purchase education materials, including brochures on recycling, activity books, pencils and posters for schools.

Phillips said the city has recycling bins at two of the city’s parks and recreational facilities, as well as a cooking oil recycling center behind the Gardendale Fire Station. The city also provides a brush recycling program; Phillips said the city plans to include residential curbside pickup for brush when the city’s garbage contract is up for renewal.

“This administration is very environmental conscious,” said Phillips.

Many other Jefferson County organizations and cities were recognized in the report as well, including praise for Waste Pro for opening a 100,000-square-foot recycling and sorting facility in Tarrant.

To view the report, visit www.greenalabama.org.