Last week, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission launched askHRgreen.org, the go-to resource for news, tips and information about everything from earth-friendly landscaping ideas and pointers for keeping local waterways “debris-free” to recycling tips and simple steps to make local living easy on the environment.

The site is designed to make it easy for residents to find information about simple green practices they can implement at home, in their yard, in their community, as well as at work and in the classroom.

At askHRgreen.org you’ll also find lots of great ways to be a good “green” steward in your neighborhood—from picking up after your pet to making sure the storm drain located on your sidewalk curb is free of leaves and debris so it doesn’t pollute our fresh waterways.

If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for at askHRgreen.org, we encourage residents to just ask! The site has a terrific search function that allows you to type in a subject, or ask a question and it will take you to the answer and related info on the site.

You’ll also find an interactive online calendar and social media feeds, including
our HR Green blog, written by a team of local experts.

Guilty of throwing your plastic bags out with the trash? Relax and just say “yes” to plastic bag recycling on:

Plastic Bag Forgiveness Day : Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Peninsula Town Center (Hampton)
Walmart, 7350 Tidewater Drive (Norfolk)

Residents who stop by either location and drop off five used plastic bags for recycling will receive a cool, reusable ChicoBag™ shopping tote (one per person, while supplies last), along with other freebies and information on ways plastic bags can be repurposed.

Plastic Bag Forgiveness Day is an initiative of the AskHRgreen.org campaign and has been recognized in a regional resolution by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the 16 cities and counties in Hampton Roads. The events are supported by Keep Virginia Beautiful and A Bag’s Life, a national recycling awareness campaign.

DON’T TREAT ME LIKE TRASH!
Reuse me, recycle me, but don’t put me out with the garbage.

Did you know…

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, of the 3,850,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps generated nationwide in 2009, only 360,000 tons were recycled and 3,490,000 tons were discarded. That’s a lot of trash. (3,490,000 tons = approx. 423,000 elephants)
Recycled plastic bags can be repurposed into other products such as outdoor decking, park benches and new bags.
Dry cleaning, newspaper and bread bags, as well as wraps used on products like paper towels and bottled water, can also be dropped off at many retailers for recycling.
You can log on to http://www.abagslife.com/va to find a plastic bag recycling drop-off location near you.
Plastic bags require a different type of recycling than plastic bottles and containers. That’s why it’s important to bring them back to the store for recycling, instead of placing these in your community curbside container.
Reusing your plastic bags is good too! More than 90 percent of consumers reuse their plastic bags at home for an infinite number of purposes.
It’s perfectly acceptable to use plastic bag alternatives. Bring your own reusable tote wherever you shop!