In every way, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians takes the protection of land, water and air very seriously. From the initial planning stages to construction to final execution, the tribal government invests millions of dollars to build state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly projects.

As an example, the Cherokee Central School construction received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Tribe also works to retrofit older buildings with energy efficient lighting and heating and has installed electric car refueling stations. Conservation efforts include transitioning building to solar energy and experimenting with wind energy.

The community and government work together to recycle plastics, paper, metals and other renewable resources. The Junaluska Leadership Council, a group comprised of Cherokee youth, has taken a leadership role in community education and action with regard to recycling. From public awareness materials to recycling bins, the Council works to catalyze recycling efforts of families.

The EBCI Sanitation Department has 21 employees and operates 364 days each year. Sanitation empties 250 dumpsters throughout the Qualla Boundary and serves over 3,000 households and businesses. The Tribal Composting Department collects wood and food waste from casino and hotel and other sources to make mulch and compost for gardening.