Letter to the Editor: Trash - the Next Renewable Energy Source?

Michael Clem, a recycling program analyst with the city's Transportation & Environmental Services Department, says it's time to rethink trash. Did you know that the average Alexandria household disposes of 46 pounds of trash each week?

To the editor: With the momentum of Earth Day and the arrival of spring, our thoughts turn to small ways that we can help the environment. Fill our recycling bin; turn off lights when leaving a room; set the air conditioning thermostat a few degrees higher, take out the trash…. take out the trash? Yes, that’s right. For better or worse, trash, an inevitable byproduct of human civilization, could potentially join wind, solar, and hydro power as a renewable energy source. Consider this: Alexandria transports its trash to the Covanta Energy-from-Waste facility (5301 Eisenhower Ave.), which generates electricity. The average Alexandria household disposes of 46 pounds of trash each week, generating enough kilowatts of energy to drive 38 miles …

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Nominations Open for Environmental Excellence Award

The award will be presented at the city's Earth Day celebration April 20.

Alexandria Renew Enterprises and the city’s Environmental Policy Commission are seeking nominees for the fifth annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award.  The award honors and recognizes those who demonstrate a commitment to protect the natural environment and keep the city “green.” Nominations may be submitted by Mar. 15 online or mailed or delivered to: Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission, City Hall, T&ES, Office of Environmental Quality, 301 King St., Room 3000, Alexandria, VA 22314. More information about nomination requirements can be found on the city's Earth Day website. The award will be presented during the Alexandria Earth Day celebration at Ben Brenman Park April 20, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A tree will also …

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Photo Gallery: Alexandria Celebrates Earth Day

Alexandrians and others turned out to enjoy the sunny weather at Ben Brenman Park on Saturday for the city's Earth Day celebration.

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Village Sprouts

Celebrating Earth Day

Go green this weekend with local family friendly Earth Day events.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 
nothing is going to get better. It's not.”  — "The Lorax" 1971, Dr. Seuss This Sunday is Earth Day, an internationally celebrated day for environmental awareness and activism started in San Francisco in 1970 by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.   Residing in Alexandria presents both benefits and challenges for green living. On the downside, we live a stone’s throw from a major airport, have nationally ranked traffic congestion and, at least until this October, are home to GenOn Potomac River Generating Station, which wreaks havoc on our air quality. Area runoff results in a dirty Potomac River, and metro-area living lends itself to both noise and light pollution.  On the upside, …

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Frugal Family: Ice Cream, Earth Day Alexandria, Arts, Wine and Cheese and More

Your local source for the scoop on family fun on a budget

Here is our weekly round-up of great deals in and around town: SWEET TREATS EARTH DAY EVENT ARTS HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS & MORE WINE & CHEESE Know of a good deal? Tell us about! If you’re a business or organization that offers great deals for families, tell us about it so we can help spread the word. Send your thoughts and comments to: alexandriapatchmoms@gmail.com and submit deals, discounts and offers here.

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Moran Re-Introduces 'Bag Tax' Bill

Proposal would impose retail tax on disposable carryout bags

Arlington’s push for a five-cent fee on disposable shopping bags could affect the entire country. Today, on Earth Day, Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), said he will introduce H.R. 1628, the Trash Reduction Act.  The bill would impose a five-cent retail tax on disposable carryout bags at grocery and convenience stores and would provide a one-cent tax incentive for every recycled bag for businesses that set up their own recycling programs. “Each Earth Day millions of Americans participate in projects and raise awareness across the country," said Moran. "This awareness is reflected, in part, by the strong interest in recycling programs. The Trash Reduction Act will provide individuals the ability to help the environment on a daily basis.” Passing the…

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Steven Larsen

7:13 am on Sunday, April 24, 2011

Anthoby & Lee - you couldn't be more correct. My local Giant gives us the 5 cent incentive for each reusable bag we bring in. Works great, in fact better than the 5 cent penalty that a bag tax would levy. We are so overburdened with literally hundereds of small fees and taxes like this. The incentive model is always preferential to the penalty model......   more ›

Del Ray Dish

Hungry for Earth Day

Thinking globally by eating locally grown foods

Friday is Earth Day, a time to celebrate this wonderful planet we live on. It's also the perfect time to think about where our food is grown. I believe buying seasonal and locally grown produce is very important. Today we can buy foods that are literally grown anywhere in the world year round. But this is unfortunately not the most sustainable practice.  Food should be purchased locally and in-season because this process eliminates the carbon footprint of shipping foods thousand of miles. Supporting local farmers enables money to go directly into their hands. The purchaser then gets to enjoy healthy foods that are unprocessed and fresh. Fresh seasonal foods also taste better. And think of all the fun you will have trying new foods and …

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