Tomorrow is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled.

NOTE: CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) has announced that all curbside recycling must now be INSIDE the CVWMA containers with lid closed. Items beside the container or on top of it will not be collected. In fact, incorrect setouts may not be collected at all. This is new as of July 1 for all our curbside recyclers, with the exception of townhomes/condos still using small bins. (And yes, this also applies to flattened cardboard boxes.)

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 it seems like pickup did not happen, use this online form:
https://cvwma.com/programs/residential-recycling/recycling-service-request-form/

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In recycling news, CVWMA has a blog post about a new statue made up of reclaimed materials that honors Black women.

From the post:

“Umama, and so she sows“ is sculpted primarily from reclaimed materials found and sourced in the community of Richmond, Virginia.

“Umama” was born out of the eight-week Atlas Artist Summer Residency Program facilitated by ART 180 and in collaboration with the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. This one-of-its-kind program offers 10 high school students a paid opportunity to experience mentorship and creative development alongside their peers and two professional working artists, with each young artist dedicating over 100 hours to the creation of “Umama.”

This sculpture was skillfully crafted by South African muralist Xolani Zivunda and Petersburg-based sculpturist Nastassja Swift. Xolani focused much attention on the face and hair of “Umama,” using mosaic tiles from pieces of glass and marble, telephone chords and paper, and pieces of loose brick that were found out in the community. Nastassja contributed heavily to forming the Styrofoam base and using reclaimed materials to form the sculpture.

Sionne Neely, a multifaceted creative and community facilitator, provided additional support by connecting both resident teaching artists to the cultural significance of weaving together the complex histories of oppression in Richmond, Virginia and Cape Town, South Africa. Supporters helped to honor the figurehead as a tribute to the presence of Black women in building community.