Recycling 2.0 — Have old CDs and video games that you’d like to get rid of? A Reston neighborhood is hosting a recycling event in time for spring cleaning. [Facebook]
For crime junkies — Crime data for Fairfax County was released yesterday. Chief of Police Edwin Roessler Jr. said the county is the “safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States.” (Still, don’t forget to lock those doors tonight). [Fairfax County Police Department]
A chat with Reston Regional Library’s branch manager — Get the latest information on library reference services, libraries in the age of Google, and more. [Fairfax County Government]
Metro service changes this weekend — “As the cherry blossoms get closer to peak bloom, Metro has limited track work scheduled for Easter weekend. The track work that is scheduled is after 10 p.m. each night, similar to Metro’s new consistent weeknight track work policy.” [WTOP]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
More than a dozen new recycling bins are being installed around Reston in the attempt to reduce trash in the community.
Reston Association says it has purchased 13 custom-made recycling bins, designed to fit the “Restonesque” style approved by the Design Review Board.
According to information provided by Reston Association:
RA staff will install the bins in high-use areas throughout the community, including sports fields and recreational facilities. RA is working on additional strategies to reduce trash and increase recycling.
Mike Leone, RA’s communications director, said local businesses sponsor the cost of the bins.
“We are always seeking individual and business donors to fund the purchase of new recycle bins,” Leone said. “The Friends of Reston, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization of Reston Association, works with our staff doing the fundraising for the purchase of more bins.”
The “Adopt a Bin” program is an attempt to drum up support for the recycling effort in the community. Donations can be made in any amount. For a $1,000 donation, an individual or company can have their name or company logo placed on a plaque on the bin.
RA crews service the bins and deliver their contents to the Fairfax County collection site.
Fairfax County is considering banning plastic lawn and leaf bags.
The county’s Solid Waste Program will be hosting a series of meetings with professional landscapers to discuss the elimination of plastic bags used for the curbside collection of leaves, lawn clippings and other yard waste.
Yard waste collected throughout the county is processed into mulch and compost products, but their quality is compromised by the presence of small pieces of plastic, Fairfax County says.
Here is the problem, according to Fairfax County Solid Waste officials:
Plastic bags have to be manually or mechanically ripped open for the material to be processed. These processes can be expensive and labor intensive. More importantly, neither method prevents small pieces of plastic from getting into the finished products. Prohibiting plastic bags for yard waste collections will help ensure the county provides high-quality end-products for use on residential lawns and gardens.
Since yard waste makes up most of the waste generated by landscapers, we would like to hear the industry’s thoughts on prohibiting the use of plastic bags when setting out yard waste for curbside collection.
All landscapers, industry representatives, and other interested parties are welcome to join in these discussions at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway starting at 6 p.m., on the following dates/locations:
- May 25, Conference Room No. 232
- June 22, Conference Room No. 232
- July 20, Conference Room No. 9-10
Under Fairfax County law, yard waste such as brush, leaves and grass must be recycled. In nearby Arlington County, only paper bags are accepted.
Reston Now will update you if the county bans plastic in favor of the paper yard waste bags.
Photo: Plastic yard bags/Credit: Amazon.com
