It’s Not Trash

Reduce, reuse and recycle products in your daily routine
that are not really trash.

The Cry of the Earth

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it. Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures. Help us to become instruments of a new creation, founded on the covenant of your love.

Amen

Tour of Recycle Plant

Pete Clifford organized a visit to a local recycling plant. Enjoy a SmileBox photo/video tour along with Pete and the group.

Recycle Plastic Bottles

 

It's Not Trash

So much of what we throw away is really not trash. When you realize how many products in your daily routine can be reduced, reused or recycled (The 3R's), you'll be aware of the impact you, as an individual, can make to improve the environment. You will never be able to measure the positive impact you make on others who see and know you recycle. Parents who recycle impact their families, neighbors and friends. We need to get to that "100th monkey" when suddenly the planet is all doing it. The 3R's become an automatic behavior ingrained in the cultures throughout the planet.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

How To Do It

  • Buy used
  • Look for products that use less packaging
  • Buy reusable over disposable
  • Maintain and repair products
  • Borrow, rent, or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools, or furniture

Benefits

  • Saves money
  • Allows products to be used to their fullest extent
  • Reduces amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
  • Conserves natural resources
  • Prevents pollution by reducing the need for more raw materials
  • Saves energy
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
  • Helps sustain the environment for future generations
  • Creates new jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries

"One person's trash is another person's treasure."

Don't Trash it, Donate it

  • Prevents usable goods from going to the landfill
  • Helps your community and those in need
  • May provide a tax benefit.

 

Resident Disposal and Recycling Centers

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes

I-66 Transfer Station (Fairfax)

4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax 22030,; 703-631-1179, TTY 711 Trash and Recycling:

  • Monday - Friday: 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Sunday: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Household Hazardous Waste; Infoline: 703-324-5068, TTY711

  • Thursday - Friday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

I-95 Landfill (Lorton)

9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, 22079; 703-690-1703, TTY 711 Trash and Recycling:

  • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 7 a.m. - 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Household Hazardous Waste; Infoline: 703-324-5068, TTY 711

  • Thursday - Friday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

The Numbers Game

  • 300 The number of dollars an Iowa farmer might get for the ethanol produced by a quarter-acre of corn.
  • 300,000 The number of dollars the farmer might get for a year's worth of electricity generated by wind turbines on the same quarter-acres.
  • 20,000 The known number of abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the U.S.

 

Last updated on December 18, 2021