OUR GREEN BACKYARD
Nearly 1.7 million residents call Hampton Roads home. With combined efforts of our educational institutions, municipalities, privately held companies, and military installments, it's natural that Tidewater stakes claim on paving a more sustainable path. This path has been cleared through grants, smart business planning, and dedicating funds toward enhancing our local living in Hampton Roads. Here are a few of the projects making the most notable impacts:
Algal Biodiesel
When the Virginia State Assembly asked research teams at state universities to dig into possibilities of biomass production, Old Dominion University harnessed the leading role. Seventy miles west of Norfolk, a pilot facility opened in September 2008 to produce algae biodiesel. The one-acre pond is an algae-to-fuel conversion set-up capable of producing 3,000 gallons of biodiesel per year.
Biodiesel is usually produced from biomass like soybeans and other waste oils. The concept of algae containing more oils than soy sparked a process that has created a biofuel crop not needing farmland, therefore not increasing the price of food.
Solar Decathlon
The US Department of Energy facilitates a collegiate challenge among universities to design and produce an energy-efficient, solar-powered home that is cost-effective and attractive. Biennially, the competition drives innovation. The 2011 Solar Decathlon had local threads showcasing the ensemble work of Hampton University and Old Dominion University. Back again for the 2013 challenge, HU and ODU create Team Tidewater. Not only is this project an amazing contribution to our local environmental landscape, it's a testament to the quality of our educational institutions. Only 20 universities in the world are selected to participate.
Great American Clean-Up
Our network of cities in Hampton Roads has created a foundation of volunteer support from thousands of residents dedicated to cleaning up our parks, waterways, shorelines, and greenways. Every spring, the Great American Clean-Up kicks off nationwide, running from March through early June. A grassroots effort to keep our cities clean and beautiful pays municipalities back in volunteer hours nearing $1,000,000 in value, just in the City of Norfolk.
Norfolk has been chosen as a kick-off city for the 2012 Great American Clean-Up. The City's selection is evidence of the dedication and hard work that continues to make local efforts worth-while.
Community Gardens
For more than a decade, we've had established community gardens in Hampton Roads. They've been a welcomed contribution to the neighborhoods in which they service. In an ongoing effort to better the voice of existing community gardens and encourage new gardens, a committee of Norfolk residents, City officials, commissioners, and board members are dedicating time to craft procedures and support to make it easier to connect to gardens and get gardens started.
Recycling Perks
As the current EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson suggests, recycling is one of the easiest and best ways to do good for the environment. It's a cost saver for local municipalities and creates a closed loop for waste to find new life. In an effort to encourage and reward recycling, Recycling Perks was designed and released locally (by TFC Recycling, for whom I work) to pave paths of increased recycling.
Currently live in Suffolk and Chesapeake, the program logs households who recycle and awards them with points - points that can then be redeemed for discounts and offers from local businesses.
Right here in our own backyard are projects that each and every one of us should be proud of. They come from all walks and showcase the desire from our educational institutions, non-profits, and for-profits to make smart environmentally-forward decisions for a better Hampton Roads. Of course, this list is far from comprehensive and I encourage you to comment with other green projects in the area. I know they are plenty and should be applauded.
Recycling Perks
As the current EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson suggests, recycling is one of the easiest and best ways to do good for the environment. It's a cost saver for local municipalities and creates a closed loop for waste to find new life. In an effort to encourage and reward recycling, Recycling Perks was designed and released locally (by TFC Recycling, for whom I work) to pave paths of increased recycling.
Currently live in Suffolk and Chesapeake, the program logs households who recycle and awards them with points - points that can then be redeemed for discounts and offers from local businesses.
Right here in our own backyard are projects that each and every one of us should be proud of. They come from all walks and showcase the desire from our educational institutions, non-profits, and for-profits to make smart environmentally-forward decisions for a better Hampton Roads. Of course, this list is far from comprehensive and I encourage you to comment with other green projects in the area. I know they are plenty and should be applauded.