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KERNERSVILLE — When Lynne Koenigsknecht moved to this small town 16 years ago, a business like hers — one specializing in fair trade and organic products — would have seemed too foreign a concept.

But now, this bustling bedroom community is catching up to neighboring Greensboro and Winston-Salem in its efforts to implement sustainable practices and green initiatives.

Earlier this year, town leaders approached N.C. A&T’s Center for Energy Research and Technology in Greensboro for assistance in reducing energy use. The center’s staff will audit the energy use of Kernersville’s Town Hall, library and two fire stations.
Town Manager Curtis Swisher said federal stimulus money or a performance contract could be used to pay for upgrades based on the center’s recommendations.

A fuel-savings program for fire and safety vehicles also is being considered. A town pedestrian and bike plan aims to encourage residents to drive less and to increase construction of greenways and bike lanes.

Koenigsknecht likes to frequent the small farmers’ market, held once a week downtown. She also commends the town on its recycling program, which provides curbside service to its residents. This weekly service makes it easy for them to recycle aluminum, plastic, glass, paper and appliances.

The amount of recyclable material has doubled — from 50 tons to 100 tons monthly — since it began nearly a decade ago, said Mary McClellan, the town’s sanitation and recycling specialist. In addition, the town has an annual electronics collection.

And the town makes compost from leaves and lawn clippings collected from residents. That compost is then sold at less than market value to the public.

Koenigsknecht opened The Wearable Planet two years ago, and it remains Kernersville’s only store completely specializing in fair trade and organic baby, pet, and bath and body products. But she sees evidence of changing attitudes about sustainable living.

“People are much more knowledgeable ,” she says.

She cites growth as part of that change and remains hopeful that one day there might even be an organic food co-op in her own community.

Contact Tina Firesheets at 373-3498 or tina.firesheets@news-record.com