Living Green with Marlin Ebbert
Community Activist, Sustainability Advocate
Having lived in the Gables for 35 years, and having raised her family here, Marlin Ebbert has a long and distinguished record of community activism. A member of the Villagers since 1989, she is a past president of the Barnacle Society, was on the city’s sustainability board for eight years (the last three as chair), was a member of the Florida Land Trust, is on the governing board of the Merrick House, and is currently chair of the Coral Gables Art Cinema.
Ebbert came up with the idea for, and was instrumental in creating, the Gables’ drive-thru recycling events for electronics, which began in 2016. These are now run by the city at City Hall several times a year and have expanded to include hazardous waste and used clothing. The most recent was in November.

Latest Accomplishments
While no longer on the city’s sustainability board, her recycling event at City Hall this past November — where she handed out reusable grocery bags that said “I used to be a plastic water bottle” — collected some 19,091 pounds of electronic gear and hazardous waste, and 1,300 pounds of used clothing. She is also this year’s chair of the Villagers’ Holiday House Tour, which this month will showcase 100-year-old houses — i.e. those built in 1923.
What She Says
“I have always been interested in preservation, since I grew up in a big old 1910 house in Pittsburgh. The Villagers [historic preservation group] was the first organization I joined here, other than the PTA. I grew to love the history of Miami in general and Coral Gables in particular. I think history here is so new that you almost feel you are part of it.”
As for why she started the city’s annual drive-thru recycling events, “I was tired of seeing TVs and computers and paint cans in the trash piles.” As for the incredible turnout each year for these events, “I have always maintained that people want to do the right thing. You just have to make it easy for them.”