From: DESCommunications <descommunications@arlingtonva.us>
Date: August 14, 2013, 12:09:44 PM EDT
Cc: "Linda K. Brown" <LKbrown@arlingtonva.us>
Subject: Call for Arlington Refuse Collection Focus Group Participants

Community members who would like to participate in a focus group to discuss the future of solid waste management services for the residential community:

The awarding of new contracts presents the County with the opportunity to enhance our services. In 2004, the County Board adopted the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which lays the foundation for continued enhancement of the County’s solid waste management system. The plan outlines the introduction of year round yard waste and food waste collection to the already comprehensive list of services provided.

Through the continued development of the solid waste management program, the residential community achieved a recycling rate of 50.3%. Quarterly waste audits performed by the Solid Waste Bureau (SWB) indicate that approximately 50% of what residents throw away is either yard waste or food waste. Both these materials could be diverted from disposal to composting, a more beneficial disposal option on the recycling pyramid. Recycling these added materials could raise Arlington’s residential recycling rate to 79%.

The SWB has worked with the County’s Citizens Advisory Committee and is now reaching out to residents for their input. We have scheduled the focus groups at the following locations and times:

· Tuesday, August 27: Walter Reed Community Center Conference Room, 2909 16th Street S., starting at 7 p.m.
· Thursday, August 29: Langston-Brown Community Center, Room 109, 2121 N. Culpeper Street, starting at 7 p.m.

Please respond to Linda Brown, lkbrown@arlingtonva.us with your name, phone number and email address if you wish to volunteer.

A survey option for all residents will be available to provide their opinions starting August 21. Visit http://www.peakdemocracy.com/1421 on August 21 to complete the survey.


Sincerely,

Erik Grabowsky
Chief, Solid Waste Bureau

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paul Derby,