Goldies 2013: Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, Ga.

Lanier Village Estates recycles bottles in an unusual way—turning them into decorative plates for salads and appetizers. The resident-driven program proves that protecting the environment takes small steps as well as large ones.

Esther Safford is the resident who converts the colored bottles into serviceware.

The slumped bottles can make salads look more attractive.

Most of the plates are converted wine bottles, but Foodservice Director Dave McTigue says that a variety of bottle shapes and colors can be used.

Residents at dinner enjoying their slumped bottle salads.