Author Archives: Scott

Monroe Park’s Slow Disaster

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It’s been heartbreaking for neighbors to watch the slow destruction of Monroe Park. The Monroe Park ‘Conservancy’ has succeeded in fulfilling VCU’s desire to get rid of the park’s trees. During the park’s period of significance circa 1904, there were 362 trees of 26 species in the park. Less than a third of that now thanks to 3North and the “Conservancy”. Sadly, this situation is not all that unique when you consider that U.S. cities are losing about 36 million trees a year.

Of course there have been many other Monroe Park matters as well. Recently it was discovered that a new electrical service unit was installed right next to a World War II memorial that contributes to the Park’s historic significance.

Expect an announcement by the Sierra Club Falls of the James on this topic soon. This comes after the organization has already tried to meet with Mayor Stoney (and was ignored) and publicly called for the termination of the Conservancy’s lease.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In recycling news, it sounds like China is really cracking down on U.S. imports.
Partly in response, U.S. industries want the government to invest more in domestic recycling.
This includes calling for:

retrofitting material recovery facilities (MRFs) with advanced sorting equipment that can identify and properly handle a wider range of packaging forms, including flexible film and smaller items made of otherwise recyclable material;
quicker permitting of MRFs, plastics recycling facilities and conversion technology facilities that create valuable chemicals and energy products;
increased use of recycled material in infrastructure products where appropriate;
broadened use of private activity bonds for recycling projects;
incentive grants for state and local governments to expand curbside recycling options and the range of materials collected; and
education and training to improve understanding of what is recyclable and to promote the manufacturing jobs aspect of the recycling process that supports American jobs, the U.S. economy and the environment.

Closer to home, Liberty University is hoping to increase its recycling rates, while the Sierra Club Falls of the James is ramping up for its annual Big Yard Sale at the University of Richmond. What’s VCU doing?