Green Neighbors Initiatives
Plastics Are Forever - Bring Your Own Bag Campaign PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jennifer Jordan   

Green Neighbors' Bring Your Own Bag campaign highlights the growing problem of microplastics in our oceans and the devastating impact it is having on marine life and our food chain. Plastics are non-biodegradable and are accumulating in our environment at ever-increasing rates. Our hope is more and more people will stop using plastics whenever possible.  We can stop using plastic bags, shop with reusable bags, and if plastic bags are used we can insure they are properly discarded or recycled.  This should be the case for all plastics, including plastic bottles, bottletops, and containers, as plastics persist in the environment.  It is each of our responsibility to recognize the problem that plastic has presented to our generation -- disposable, cheap, and non-biodegradable has proven to be a toxic combination. See pictures of the Pacific Ocean trash vortex.
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Metal Recycling Challenge PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tom Rojas, Martha Donnelly, & Jennifer Jordan   

Our spring 2008 Metal Recycling Challenge between the neighboring communities of Carderock Springs and Cabin John reaped a great harvest. In partnership with Montgomery County, the communities managed to recycle over 16 tons of scrap metal over a period of just 7 weeks and raised awareness of the potential for recovering valuable household metal that is being thrown into the trash, since it is not yet recycled curbside by the County.

The initiative was measurable, replicable and ongoing.  As a result of the Challenge, other neighboring communities and schools have begun to recycle scrap metal and Cabin John has continued to collect scrap metal for recycling at the loading dock of the Bethesda Food Coop.  Eventually, the initiative's goal is to convince the County to add scrap metal to curbside recycling.

The Challenge culminated with a parade and an awards ceremony.  Recycle Man (aka Rich Kepler) led the throng down MacArthur Boulevard from the back of Tom Rojas' pick-up truck.  Resident Larry Heflin road his World War II-era "recycled recycled bicycle" made from recycled parts and given to him by his dad for his 6th birthday.  Local youth Ava and Joe Henderson rode their battery-powered mini VW bug.  Various torch runners passed the "Green Neighbors torch" along the parade path. Councilmember Roger Berliner directed traffic.

 

Over 100 attendees filed in for the awards ceremony.  Berliner presided, along with Montgomery County Recycling Chief Eileen Kao, Recycling Coordinator Alan Pultyniewicz, and Ann Humphrey of Representative Chris Van Hollen's office.  When Recycle Man pulled out the envelope Oscars-style, the winner was - Cabin John!  Carderock Springs resident Martha Donnelly jokingly demanded a recount.  Organizers were stunned at the final tally -- roughly 34,000 pounds of scrap metal recycled!  Small metal items outweighed large metal items recycled.
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