Edwin “Eddie” Slipek

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Local writer and educator Ed Slipek passed away after a brief illness and there have been a number of good tributes published.
Bennet Funeral Home Obituary
Richmond Magazine
Style Weekly
Richmond Bizsense

Laurel Street neighbor Charles Pool wrote:

Ed Slipek was a passionate writer who worked tirelessly to encourage brilliant new architecture as well as to wake up Richmond to the treasures of our city’s historic neighborhoods before they are lost to greed and stupidity. I am so very, very grateful for the many articles that he wrote regarding the Oregon Hill community and architecture. Ed was not one to use email, and he kindly allowed me to drop off research on his Spring Hill doorstep on the latest issues. His articles really made a difference in those issues and in the public perception that Oregon Hill is a rare historic resource well-worth preserving.

It is a revelation to read an example of Ed’s brilliant writing that is as pertinent today as it was in 2002 when Oregon Hill was appropriately zoned as a residential neighborhood. Ed’s words are just as relevant now when the Oregon Hill Historic District is again fighting for survival against Code Refresh upzoning proposals that would allow 75′ tall buildings and huge apartment buildings on some blocks of the historic district of modest, two-story homes:

https://www.styleweekly.com/proceeding-as-planned/

Ed’s words live on. We were blessed with his wise words, and there have been few people that have had such a positive impact on our city as Ed Slipek. He will be greatly missed.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow Morning

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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. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/

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

In recycling news:

The 2026 CVWMA Curbside Recycling Calendar is here! Click to view and download.

City of Richmond residents can recycle their Christmas trees and more at the city’s Bring One for the Chipper event Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 1710 Robin Hood Road. Real Christmas trees, personal documents and electronics can be dropped off for recycling. City of Richmond ID required. Fees apply to recycle some electronics. All trees must be free of ornaments, lights, tinsel and stands. Recycled trees are ground into a mulch-type product that can be applied to the landscape.

This past Saturday there was a fire at recycling facility on Lewis Road in Chesterfield County. Thankfully, there were no injuries.

Despite industry promises, more skepticism of advanced recycling or “chemical recycling” has emerged. An Environment Texas report states:

2025 was a year that proved once again that chemical recycling, also known as advanced recycling, is an economic and environmental dead end. Despite industry claims of a circular plastic economy, the past twelve months have exposed a reality of hazardous waste, toxic emissions, and financial instability.

Using energy-intensive processes such as pyrolysis and gasification, these facilities claim to break down plastics to make new products. In reality, they primarily produce low-grade fuel while generating massive amounts of toxic byproducts. As of June 2025, 38 proposed chemical recycling projects exist in the U.S., with an additional 3 facilities under construction. This past year has proven why these facilities should not see the light of day.

Caroling In Monroe Park On Sunday

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While Oregon Hill neighbors are organizing caroling for this Saturday evening, the Grace & Holy Trinity Church is hosting caroling in Monroe Park on Sunday.
“The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir, Hood Temple Music Ministry, RVA Street Singers, Grace & Holy Trinity Vocal Ensemble, and a brass quintet will lead Christmas carols for this fifth annual holiday event. There will be a holiday market, food trucks, and fun children’s activities starting at 3:00 p.m. The brass quintet music will begin at 4:15 p.m. with caroling following at 4:30 p.m.”

By the way, if you are not a fan of traditional holiday fare, you may want to check out this playlist by David Byrne, who had a show at the Altria Theater earlier this year-
https://www.davidbyrne.com/radio/david-byrne-radio-presents-christmas

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow Morning

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Tomorrow is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.
However, not sure if the City trash pickup may be delayed due to the recent snow.

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. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/

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

In recycling news:

Check out CVWMA’s new Green Holiday Guide by clicking here.

A pact between the Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia and an AI-powered recycling company is expected to enable the technology to increase recycling and divert a significant amount of landfill waste.

In unsurprising news, a new report from Greenpeace USA reveals plastic recycling has largely failed after decades of being touted by corporations as a solution to the pollution crisis. The report uncovered that only a fifth of the 8.8 million tons of the most commonly produced types of plastics — found in items like bottles, jugs, food containers, and caps — are actually recyclable. Moreover, plastic recycling rates in the United States have been cut in half since 2014, from 9.5% to roughly 5–6% today. The report concludes that plastic recycling is no more of a viable solution now than it was in the 1950s.