Local Events Celebrate Earth Day by Encouraging Cleanup

A sampling of local recycling events timed to celebrate Earth Day:

Alexandria

April 30: Alexandria Earth Day 2005, 9 a.m.-noon, Four Mile Run Park. For information see http://www.alexearthday.org/ .

Arlington

April 30: Arlington E-Care Event (Environmental Collection and Recycling), 9 a.m.-3 p.m., parking lot of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 125 Old Glebe Rd. A twice-yearly event where Arlington residents can safely dispose of household hazardous materials, or recycle other items such as bikes or computers. Free for most; some fees for electronics disposal. For information, call 703-228-6832 (voice), 703-228-4611 (TTY).

District of Columbia

April 23: Earth Day Event for Electronics Recycling, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Carter Barron Amphitheater parking lot, 16th and Kennedy streets NW.

May 14: Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Carter Barron. Both events are free and open to city residents. For information, call 202-645-7190 or see http://www.recycle.dpw.dc.gov/ .

Falls Church

April 30: Recycling Extravaganza, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring used computers and other electronics, clothing and textiles, bicycles, printer cartridges, eyeglasses, hearing aids and portable sewing machines to the Falls Church Recycling Center, 217 Gordon Rd. Call 703-248-5160 for a detailed list of acceptable items.

Greenbelt

April 16: Celebrate Earth Day with the Recycling and Environment Advisory Committee, 10 a.m. - noon, Buddy Attick Park. Help plant native wetland plants at the Wetland Education Center. For more information, call Cindy Murray at 301-474-8004 or see http://www.ci.greenbelt.md.us/City_Activities/earth_day.htm .

Loudoun County

April 16: Household Hazardous Waste Collection at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. More information about the program and schedule is available at http://www.loudoun.gov/oswm/hhw.htm .

May 21: Electronics Recycling Event, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Telos Xacta Enterworks Corp. parking lot at 19886 Ashburn Rd., in Ashburn. For more information, visit http://www.co.loudoun.va.us/oswm/recycle/electronics.htm .

Montgomery County

April 23: Annual Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the field in front of 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, sponsored by Division of Solid Waste Services. For information, contact Eileen Kao at 240-777-6400 or see http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling .

(Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)

For More Information

? http://www.gorecycle.org/ : Information from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on recycling in the Washington area, including links and phone numbers of each jurisdiction's recycling program.

? http://www.nrc-recycle.org/ : Web site of the National Recycling Coalition, with loads of information on how to recycle individually or get involved in group recycling efforts.

? http://www.obviously.com/recycle : A consumer recycling site, including "The World's Shortest Comprehensive Recycling Guide" and information on how to recycle obscure materials and stop unwanted junk mail.

? http://www.recycleamericaalliance.com/ : Web site of Recycle America Alliance, the largest provider of recycling services in North America. Click on "Educational Resources" for a wealth of recycling information aimed at students, teachers, kids, researchers and the general public.