February 2007 Reston Environmental Action Update
Everyone is welcome to attend all board and committee meetings!
Next REACT Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 28, Hunters Woods RCC, Room 4
PROJECTS
Congratulations to Wheelwright Cluster, the 7th neighborhood to complete Reston Recycles! They increased their recycling by 8% and 5% of the residents no longer include items that are not accepted by the county. Residents have noticed an increase in recycling bins placed at the curb.
Stratton Woods will begin the project in February.
Wethersfield and Moorings clusters completed their participation in Close the Loop, a follow-up project to Reston Recycles! Survey results from both neighborhoods showed increases in the use of reusable shopping bags and other durable products (such as cloth napkins, rags over paper towels, and energy efficient lightbulbs), as well as an increase in the use of recycled-content products (such as printer paper, tissue, and wrapping paper).
Coleson Cluster is about to complete the project and Vantage Hill is making plans to begin.
All neighborhoods that complete Reston Recycles! are encouraged to participate in Close the Loop. Reston Recycles! focuses on recycling and Close the Loop emphasizes reducing waste with durable products rather than disposable, and promotes re-use with recycled-content products.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Reducing Workplace Waste
Members: Marcia Hendershot
Staff members at Lake Anne Reston Community Center have asked for assistance in increasing recycling. The committee will meet with them to help develop ways to reduce more waste at their facility.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Members: Leslie Hall, Sheila Todd
The committee is planning their first meeting.
Environmental Yard and Garden Care
Members: Carolyn Badila, Julie Bond, Ellen Graves, Anka Jhangiani, Bob Mowbray, Kevin Munroe
Next meeting: February 26, 4:00p.m., 1684 Moorings
The committee discussed the many issues involved in environmental yard and garden care and some of the information available. Kevin Munroe of Audubon At Home explained how their project provides technical assistance tailored to each property they visit. The committee will determine which areas to target first at their next meeting.
Drive Less, Breathe Better
Members: Steve Cerny, Michelle De Cou-Landberg, Ellen Graves, Bob Simon
Next meeting: February 26, 7:30 p.m. at Lake Anne RCC Room A
To augment their research, the committee has spoken with transportation experts Joe Stowers, Karl Ingebritsen and Bruce Wright.
The committee has compiled a list of initial activities:
§ Meet with school representatives to discuss walk-to-school programs.
§ Hold neighborhood meetings to provide reasons to drive less, provide specific bus and trail information for the neighborhood, provide walking/biking resources, learn obstacles to driving less, and brainstorm ways to drive less.
§ Develop a campaign to change the mindset that underpasses are unsafe rather than a useful amenity.
§ Look into the possibility of bringing FlexCar to the Park and Rides so residents may become a 1- or 0-car household, and to provide a way home from the Park and Ride if schedules change during the day.
§ Research the effectiveness of Transportation Demand Management programs at Town Center and other places where the county is asking developers to implement methods to reduce the amount of trips.
Check www.restonenvironmentalaction.org for committee updates, and meeting dates, and other REACT news. If you would like to participate in Reston Recycles! or want to join a committee, contact Mary Brown at info@restonenvironmentalaction.org or 703-620-0151.
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