NEWBURYPORT — After a year's worth of green initiatives citywide, local environmentalists say there is reason to celebrate Earth Day today.

"This year has been awesome; everything is catching on," said Liss Campbell of Seacoast Energy and Environmental Design Coalition, an all-volunteer group that has taken a lead role in the greening of Newburyport. "The elevation of consideration about the environment and even the smallish things that have happened in the schools and with organizations, people are talking about going green."

Over the course of a year, the city has worked to better brand itself as an environmentally aware place — as a home to "green" people, businesses and concepts. From recycling pushes to business expos, the people behind those efforts say they are already seeing a difference.

Molly Ettenborough, the city's recycling coordinator, says the number of people recycling is going up, and her goal is to increase recycling by 50 percent in the coming year.

"City activities have been focused on public recycling, and this summer every Chamber (of Commerce) event will have recycling available," Ettenborough said. "The city also started an energy committee with goals to increase efficiency and implement conservation measures using new and innovative technology."

Also new this year, Bresnahan Elementary School, among others, re-invigorated its "green team" and has saved hundreds of things from being wasted. The Newburyport High School Environmental Club has grown in size and, in perhaps one of the most telling initiatives, the business community has caught on.

"The Chamber of Commerce has really done an outstanding job," SEED member Ron Martino said, noting the collaboration between the chamber, city and SEED. "I know we don't normally think of business as green, but with the business community on the rails and practicing green initiatives, it has made all the difference."

In February, as part of the Chamber's commitment to go green, it sponsored the first "green business expo," which invited green-themed businesses to showcase their products.

As part of the city's year-long initiative to recycle and to live an environmentally sound lifestyle, almost 40 businesses in the city have pledged that they are going green. Art Currier, a local environmentalist, was instrumental in creating the partnerships.

"It's a unique collaboration and is infiltrating and pervading the community," Currier said. "With people from the government departments, Chamber and business community working with individuals from SEED, the initiatives have grown."

Currier credits former Vice President Al Gore's work promoting environmental issues and the skyrocketing price of gas as reasons the local initiative has caught on. And because the Newburyport area is so influenced by its environment, people appreciate what is out their windows.

"I think people just see the natural resources around us with Plum Island and the refuge and marsh," Ettenborough added. "People realize we live in a treasured area and we need to make sure it sticks around."

Campbell notes the change in the city speaks volumes about a national awareness of green energy and products that are changing the world.

"In the city, we are in a greener place," Campbell said. "But I see it everywhere. I see it in the stores. I don't have to ask anymore about where the green products are."

Campbell notes a new awareness in the past year for products which are not just earth friendly but also healthy.

"It's a sign of the times," Campbell said. "Businesses starting up are being supported, and suddenly greenness is at the forefront and is rising in demand."

But while this year has been the greenest yet, local naturalists hope to push the green movement farther than ever in the coming year.

"I hope we find some way of saving money on energy which we can put back into the city," Martino said. "That would make a huge difference."

Earth Day organizer Heidi Spinella will work this year to increase residents' awareness of energy-saving practices and urge people to receive an energy audit from National Grid.

"We don't want to just talk about the situation but become actively involved in part of the solution," Spinella said.

From energy saving to policy changes, all agree this year could bring the biggest changes for the city yet as the waterfront begins to be developed and more business is likely to come into the city.

"My personal hope is that Mr. Karp will consider green building when developing the waterfront," Campbell said. "I hope he keeps the health of the waterfront in mind and considers water use and runoff. I hope this is the direction we go in."

Each school in the district has partnered with Safe Routes to School and will be expanding the program in the fall, creating walking school buses — groups of children who will walk to school together — and adding incentives to keep cars and buses in the garage.

"This is just one more way to further the green idea," Molin Elementary Principal Dave Archambault said. "Walking school buses will save energy, help with the concerns over childhood obesity and further lessen the use of vehicles."

Ettenborough is working on getting more bike racks in the city and permanent recycling bins on each street corner.

Campbell hopes to see enhanced composting options for city residents and little changes which will put Newburyport on the map for green lifestyles.

"We need progressive changes which will make us authentically green and a more inviting place for green business and industry," Campbell said, noting cities such as Burlington, Vt., and Boulder, Colo., must be used as examples. "It's a win-win for everyone when we step it up and become sustainably green."