PRESS RELEASES
Recycling Increases in Three More Neighborhoods
February 2005
Wethersfield Cluster has completed a pilot project to increase recycling in their neighborhood.
Recycling Increases in Three More Neighborhoods
By participating in the Reston Recycles! program, Coleson Cluster, Moorings Cluster and Brookshire Court Cluster have joined Wethersfield Cluster in increasing the amount of waste they recycle. Reston Recycles! is a program of Reston Environmental Action (REACT), a non-profit organization that works with residents to promote environmental lifestyle choices.
Based on neighborhood surveys, Coleson residents increased the amount they recycle by 20%, Moorings by 7% and Brookshire Court by 54%. Wethersfield, which piloted the project, increased their amount by 25%. REACT provides every neighborhood with a well-organized packet of resources to run the program", said Freya De Cola, who led the effort in Coleson Cluster. "It's easy and can be completed in a couple of months."
Besides increasing their recycling, these neighborhoods have also stopped including items that cannot be recycled in their bins. According to Fairfax County, including the wrong type of plastic can result in an entire load of plastic being rejected. Thirteen percent of residents in Coleson Cluster no longer include incorrect items, joining 14% of Moorings Cluster, 8% of Brookshire Court Cluster, and 11% of Wethersfield Cluster.
According to Thea Kreinik, president of REACT, the Reston Recycles! program uses techniques shown to cause a change in behavior such as community involvement, reminders and reinforcements. Michelle De Cou-Landberg and Carolyn Badila of Moorings Cluster found that residents may be less aware than they realize. Some people enthusiastically put yogurt containers in their recycling bins thinking they are doing the right thing, not knowing they could be sending a load of plastic to the incinerator said De Cou-Landberg. Badila agreed, adding neighbors learn what and how to recycle in their neighborhood and receive a brochure with information on other items to recycle that they can keep as a reminder.
Mark Moody of Brookshire Court Cluster said his neighbors appreciated learning more about recycling. We have an environmental ethic in our cluster and we know that increasing recycling does more than keep waste out of landfills. It saves energy, water and reduces gasses that contribute to global warming.
REACT initiated Reston Recycles! because it found many residents are confused about what can be recycled, according to Mary Brown, REACT organizer. Around that time, the Reston Association Environmental Advisory Committee was also discussing this problem and many of its members, including Freya DeCola, Carolyn Badila, Mark Moody and Bob Mowbray helped to get Reston Recycles! off the ground in their neighborhoods, said Brown.
Other neighborhoods planning to participate in the recycling program include Vantage Hill, Wheelwright Cluster, Boston Ridge Cluster and Northgate. For more information on Reston Recycles!, contact Mary Brown at 703-620-0151 or info@restonenvironmentalaction.org.
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February 2005
Wethersfield Cluster has completed a pilot project to increase recycling in their neighborhood.
The project, Reston Recycles!, was developed by Reston Environmental Action (REACT). REACT is a new non-profit organization formed by residents working to promote lifestyle changes which benefit the environment.
Thea Kreinik, REACT president, is pleased with the results at least 25% of cluster residents increased the amount they recycle and 11% no longer include items that are not accepted by County recycling facilities. "We launched the project with an open house to provide information on recycling. Because it was our pilot, we invited Supervisor Cathy Hudgins who attended and also updated us on the County's recycling efforts."
REACT is hosting a meeting on February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods to provide specifics of implementing Reston Recycles! in other neighborhoods. REACT welcomes all residents to participate, including those who do not live in clusters or single family homes. The project is simple, requiring just a couple hours of time over 2 to 3 months from neighborhood volunteers.
Reston Recycles! incorporates the community-based social marketing research that show that simply providing information does little to change behaviors. However, utilizing seemingly minor, additional tools such as reminders, commitments, block leaders and reinforcements has proven to greatly increase participation in community programs to promote sustainability.
This event is not sponsored by the Reston Community Center, its Board of Governors, or staff.
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