Since 1997, Keep America Beautiful has spearheaded America Recycles Day, held every year on November 15th.  In 2010, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation emphasizing our need to act.  It was a Call To Action for Americans to Rethink how we deal with trash and our role as stewards of our environment.

This year, Keep Virginia Beautiful and many Richmonders acted in a huge way!  This year, we recycled three and a half tons of paper, a tractor trailer of used electronics, a bushel of plastic bags, and several pecks of cardboard.  It showed Richmonders, Virginians, and Americans our commitment to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Recycling is not just one day of the year, though.  A look at our Events page will keep you posted for activities and opportunities coming up in your area.  From curbside recycling, to regular drop off points, to electronic recycling days, there are ways that you can act every day.

We would like to thank our Sponsors, the Retail Merchants Association, LG Electronics, Waste Management, TFC Recycling, Central Virginia Waste Management Authority, and Gone 4 Good Shredding.  A very special thanks also to all of the other businesses, volunteers, and people who dropped off items for recycling.

Keep up the good work, Virginia!  And add another “R” to your day:  “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink!

In honor of Earth Month, Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB) awarded “30 Grants In 30 Days” during April, 2011.  Ten grants in 3 different categories; Cigarette Litter Prevention, Plastic Bag Recycling, and Community Greening and Beautification were awarded to multitude of different entities all around the Commonwealth.  Schools, State Parks, Cities and Towns, Universities, Environmental groups, Associations, KVB Affiliates, and historic neighborhoods comprised the 30 award winners from the Eastern Shore to the far Southwest of Virginia.  These grants were made possible by KVB’s partners, Walmart and Waste Management.
KVB is proud to announce our “30 in 30″ Grant Winners:

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.  Our goals include becoming the leading statewide voice, providing a framework for improved communication and collaboration, cultivating and supporting sustainable programs, and engaging citizens by linking them to volunteer opportunities and information through these 5 impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.  For more information on KVB and these grant winners, go to http://www.keepvirginiabeautiful.org/outreach/grants.

In honor of Earth Month, Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB)  is announcing the 30 Grants In 30 Days campaign.  This grant campaign is co-sponsored by KVB, Walmart, and Waste Management.

We are proud to provide the opportunity for organizations in Virginia to apply for one of (30) $1000 grants to be awarded during the 30 days of April, 2011.  This grant program will focus greater resources and attention on individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education.

1. Cigarette Litter Prevention

Ten (10) $1,000 grants to ten separate government or non-profit entities that implement programs within targeted geographic boundaries in Virginia to reduce cigarette litter. Funding would support educational outreach materials, cigarette litter receptacles, and portable ash trays for adult smokers.  The purpose of these grants is to support sustainable prevention and a measurable reduction of cigarette litter within the predetermined geographic boundaries.

2. Plastic Shopping Bag Litter Prevention and Recycling

Ten (10) $1,000 grants to ten separate government or non-profit entities that implement programs within targeted geographic boundaries in Virginia to reduce plastic bag waste and litter. Funding would support increasing plastic bag collection sites, education of consumers, and distribution of reusable shopping bags to consumers.  The purpose of these grants is to support sustainable prevention, promote a measureable waste reduction and a measureable increase in reuse and recycling of plastic bags within the predetermined geographic boundaries.

3. Beautification and Community Greening

Ten (10) $1,000 grants to ten separate government or non-profit entities within targeted geographic boundaries in Virginia which support programs that beautify and clean including community gardens, restoring vacant lots, highway and shoreline enhancement, plantings, and graffiti abatement. Funding would support community clean-ups, revitalization projects, and sustainable neighborhood gardens.  The purpose of these grants is to support beautification efforts within the predetermined geographic boundaries.

Process for Submission

Grant nominations will be accepted online beginning on February 1, 2011 with a deadline of March 15, 2011.  A panel of judges will review submissions and award grants for winning applicants in each of the three categories.  Grant programs selected must be completed by the end of 2011.

Winning applicants will be notified one week prior to award date.  All remaining applicants will be notified by April 30, 2011. Applicants who are selected will receive funding by May 5, 2011.

Please visit our Grants page to apply.

Grants made possible from the Walmart Foundation and Waste Management.

Major props to our friends in Fairfax County! Recycling is real in Fairfax County! Recycling plays a big role in keeping Fairfax County clean and is extremely beneficial to the environment. Fairfax County code requires all trash collectors to provide any customers living in single family homes, townhomes, apartments, and condominiums with recycling service. Recycling is easy, do your part. For more information visit: Fairfax County Website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phNSZxdiPiU