Sustainable Spaces: Local Support for Eco-Friendly Living in Chattanooga

Written By NorthChatt Neighbors

🌿 Chattanooga RainSmart Rewards

A city-led initiative offering reimbursements for residential green infrastructure:

  • Rain Gardens: Up to $2,000 per property for establishing native plant beds that capture runoff.

  • Rain Barrels: $50 per barrel reimbursement (max 10 per property).

  • SupportScapes: Up to $1,000 per property to remove turf/invasive species and replace with native plantings.

🌦️ RainSmart Yards (City of Chattanooga / WaterWays)

  • Homeowners can get their yards certified by installing green infrastructure like rain gardens, rain barrels, native plantings, and SupportScapes.

  • Certification delivers up to 75% off the annual stormwater fee

  • This is a local complement to Smart Yards, targeting stormwater reduction and ecological yard design.

🌳 Free Tree ReLeaf (EPB)

EPB’s program provides free trees to homeowners to enhance shade, energy savings, wildlife habitats, and stormwater absorption .

🏡 EPB Home Energy & Solar Initiatives

  • Free Home Energy Checkups: EPB experts inspect and advise on energy efficiency improvements (insulation, sealing, etc.)

  • EPB Solar Share: Energy retrofit programs and a community solar‑panel leasing option to reduce home carbon footprint

  • EPB Home Uplift (Income-qualified): Up to $10,000 in free home improvements (HVAC, insulation, efficient appliances) for income-qualified households. Average annual savings: $400/home

🌱 Tennessee Smart Yard

Steps to Certification:

  • Download Materials: Get the Smart Yard workbook and yardstick tool to guide and track your progress.

  • Learn from Experts: Watch 9 online video lessons covering sustainable yard care practices.

  • Take Action: Complete at least 36 inches worth of environmentally friendly practices from a provided list.

  • Submit for Certification: Fill out the online form, upload your yardstick, and receive your certificate.

  • Share & Expand: Order a yard sign, share your success, and help spread the word in your neighborhood.

Local Sustainability: NewTerra, Overlooked Materials & CHI Market

Looking for easy ways to live more sustainably in Chattanooga? Three local initiatives—NewTerra Compost, Overlooked Materials and CHI Market—make it simple to reduce waste, support the local economy, and care for the environment right from your home.

🥕 NewTerra Compost

  • Offers curbside compost pickup for homes, schools, and businesses.

  • Helps divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

  • Turns food scraps into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens and landscaping.

🧪 Overlooked Materials

  • A community glass recycling initiative addressing the lack of municipal glass recycling.

  • Collects glass from residents and local businesses for responsible recycling.

  • Partners with artists and regional processors to reuse or repurpose glass.

  • Helps reduce landfill waste and promotes a circular economy for materials often “overlooked.”

🛒 CHI Market

Open at St. Marks Church on Mississippi Avenue, down at The Venue; Thursday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • A neighborhood market offering locally grown and produced goods.

  • Supports regional farmers, makers, and small food businesses.

  • Reduces the environmental impact of long-distance food transport.

  • Encourages seasonal eating and helps keep food dollars in the local economy.

These local efforts show how everyday choices—like composting, recycling glass, or shopping locally—can build a healthier, more resilient community.

NorthChatt Neighbors
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