Summer Recycling & Waste Prevention!
How you manage waste and recyclables takes
into account more than just what’s inside your home. It applies to your
outdoor area as well. Whether you’re
planning a backyard barbecue or doing a bit of weeding and planting over the
weekend, there are many things you can do to prevent or reduce waste from
outdoor activities.
When Gardening –
·
Plastic plant pots can’t be recycled by
your curbside recyclables collection program, but some retail locations may
accept them, or you can reuse them or share them with a neighbor.
·
Mulch and potting soil bags don’t belong
in your recycling bin either, but can be returned to retail locations that
accept plastic shopping bags, as long as they are cleaned out.
·
Garden hoses are not recyclable and can
pose a danger to collection and recycling facility workers – used garden hoses
can be made into soaker hoses for gardening or must be discarded with household
trash.
For Cookouts or Barbeques –
·
Remember to set out a recycling bin, preferably
beside the trash can, and let your guests know which waste items should
go in each. Perhaps a sign would
be helpful!
·
When shopping for picnic supplies, be sure to
purchase products that are reusable, compostable, or recyclable. Or even use
real plates!
·
Drink Options:
o
Don’t use plastic cups.
o
Don’t serve bottled water. Instead, set up a big
water jug with lots of ice for guests..
o
Buy recyclable cardboard cases of beverages
rather than six packs. Those pesky six-pack plastic rings are not recyclable
and can harm marine life if they’re released into the environment.
o
Choose beverages packaged in cans rather than
plastic bottles. Although plastic is recyclable, only a fraction of the
collected material ends up being reused, whereas aluminum is a very desirable,
high value, and 100% recyclable material.
o
Gather up any glass containers and take them to
your nearest Purple Can Club location.
Locations can be found here: <link>
·
Avoid single use party decorations or balloons..
·
Consider composting your food waste. There are a number of ways, including
backyard composting, delivering food waste to either of our two drop-off
sites for food scraps (I-95 Landfill Complex and I-66 Transfer Station), or
you can take them for recycling at selected
Farmer's Markets throughout the summer.
With just a little bit of planning you can celebrate the
summer season in sustainable style, so have a happy summer with lots of fun in
the sun, and look for more tips to come as fall approaches!
Cool Tips for Summer Waste Prevention on the
Road!
Before you head out on that family vacation, consider these
do’s and don’ts of summertime recycling.
DO’S
·
Do purchase products that are reusable,
compostable, or recyclable.
o
Purchase items that can be used season after
season.
o
Use reusable plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups
or purchase ones that can be composted.
·
Do locate public recycling bins at beaches,
parks, lakes, and other locations and make sure you follow the local recycling
rules for using them.
o
Recycling is not the same everywhere – it varies
from place to place and may differ where you live.
o
Make sure you check the government website of
each place you visit to know how to recycle the right way in that location.
·
Do have a plan for properly disposing of your
trash on hikes and walks.
·
Do keep a recycling container in your car for
road trips.
o
Roadside
stops may have recycling containers, but if they don’t you can take these
valuable materials to the next location.
·
Do ask your hotel or motel about recycling –
many hotels offer in-room recycling bins.
DON’T
·
Don’t place foam containers or coolers in
recycling bins.
o
Ask if they can be returned to retail locations
for recycling.
·
Don’t place plastic shopping bags in the
recycling bin.
o
They may be able to be returned to retail
locations (like grocery stores) for recycling.
·
Don’t recycle materials with food or liquid
residue – place items in the recycling bin empty and dry.
·
Don’t place disposable cutlery, straws, plates,
napkins, or paper towels in the recycling bin.
·
Don’t put beach chairs, floats, fireworks,
batteries, or propane canisters in the recycling bin.
o
These
items are dangerous and should be donated, reused, or safely disposed of,
following the guidelines of the local programs.
Keep recycling and waste prevention on your mind while
traveling for summer fun! Following
these simple recycling do’s and don’ts while travelling is easy, and you’ll
feel good that you are contributing to the preservation of the environment no
matter where you visit.
How to Correctly Dispose of Your American Flag
Did you know the average outdoor flag lasts only about 90
days? Flying the stars and stripes outside your home is a great way to showcase
pride in our county. But the ever-changing weather and the blasting rays of the
sun will inevitably result in a worn-out flag.
It is against etiquette to fly one that is worn out. It is
also disrespectful to simply throw the American flag out with the trash. So,
what should you do with Old Glory after it is too tattered to represent our
country?
Because it is important to regularly replace flags that are
faded or torn, the United States has a set of laws pertaining
to disposal known as the United States Flag Code, or “retiring the flag”.
There are four ways to respectfully retire an American flag:
Donate Tattered Flags
Donating is a great American flag disposal technique. This provides a quick and easy solution for
those who are busy and want to make sure their old flags are taken care of
properly.
Where to Dispose of American Flags in Fairfax County:
·
Fairfax County Government Center – there
is a flag disposal box in the main lobby near the information desk – 12000
Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Collected flags are retired properly by The
American Legion.
·
I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill
Complex – Flag disposal boxes are located at the I-66
Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex and are available during residential
hours. Collected flags are retired properly by The American Legion.
·
Fairfax County Police Stations – all Fairfax
County Police Stations accept American flags. They are collected twice a
year by Police Honor Guard for proper disposal.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/index.php/where-properly-dispose-american-flags-fairfax-county
Burning
The US Flag Code states that if the flag is not in good
enough condition to represent our country, it should be taken down and
destroyed. The dignified manner they recommend is burning. This is the manner of retiring the flag that
is used in the military. This method is probably not something most of us would
consider using. If you do choose to use this method, you must first check with
your local Fire Marshall about what state and local fire codes and ordinances
you must follow prior to burning a flag.
There are special steps that must be carried out when using
this method of disposal, including folding the flag properly, saluting the flag
and observing a moment of silence, or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while
the flag burns.
Flag Burial
You can bury a flag in the ground in a well-constructed
container to keep it protected. In the US
Flag Code, it states the cloth should not come in contact with the ground or
dirt. Fold it properly and place it in the
box. Take a moment of silence or respectfully say a few words as you bury the
box.
Shredding
Shredding gives you multiple options to either burn, bury,
or recycle the material once it is disassembled. But you must do this in a proper and
respectful manner, as with all American flag disposal options.
In the first technique, you must separate each of the white
and red stripes. The other option is to cut the flag in half vertically, and
then again horizontally. The most important step for both procedures is to make
sure the blue section with the stars stays intact.
Shredding gives you multiple options to either burn, bury or
recycle the material once it is disassembled. Flag recycling is common with
synthetic, and nylon made flags because burning these materials can be
hazardous.
Food Scrap Drop-off at Select Farmer’s Markets
This Summer
Once again this summer there will be food
scrap drop-offs at select Farmer’s Markets!
|
Wednesday - Mount Vernon Farmers Market
2501
Sherwood Hall Lane
Alexandria,
VA, 22306
Thursday - Herndon Farmers Market
765
Lynn St.
Herndon,
VA, 20170
Friday - Kingstowne Farmers Market
5844-5862
Kingstowne Center
Alexandria,
VA, 22315
|
Saturday - Burke Farmers Market
5671
Roberts Parkway (VRE Parking Lot)
Burke,
VA, 22015
Sunday - Freshfarm Farmers Market
Mosaic District
2910
District Ave.
Fairfax,
VA 22031
|
More information can be found on the county website at:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/food-scraps-composting-drop
