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.

Five local schools participated, as well as the boy scout troop, collecting metals and raising awareness within their schools and families.   Children canvassed over 1,300 homes at the start of the challenge.  Two middle school 'Green Kid Ambassadors', Eden Cornelius and Kate Goldberg, gave speeches.  "I want to pass on the message that if we work together, we can make a difference. I appreciate that grownups are working for change because after you are gone, ours and future generations will inherit this Earth", said Eden.  "If we recycle the iron and steel we normally would have thrown out, we save the energy it takes to go underground and dig up more metals. We also save many animals' habitats that can be destroyed when we build mines to get new metal ore. Being a Green Neighbor doesn't have to be work.  It just takes thinking differently about throwing things away and using energy", said Kate.

At the ceremony's conclusion, the Green Neighbors torch was passed to residents of Glen Echo, who accepted it in the interest of expanding scrap metal recycling to include their community as well.  Folks enjoyed food and beverages donated by neighbors and local vendors, tuned in to the sounds of Monet in the 90s, made tin can herb pots & funky junky metal jewelry, had their caricatures drawn, and perused environmental exhibits of local 6th graders and of Bethesda Green, Cool Capital Campaign, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Montgomery County DEP, and PEPCo, who distributed free compact fluorescents.   As a great follow-up to the event, in May 2008, Montgomery County Councilmembers George Leventhal and Roger Berliner presented a proclamation of recognition to the two communities for their efforts in this Challenge.