Projects

Area projects that are focusing on sustainability.

• U.S. EPA Resource Conservation Challenge
  The initial project focus of Sustainable Blacksburg is to implement the U.S. EPA Resource Conservation Challenge grant requirements.  These include four initiatives to reduce the use and promote responsible recycling of three heavy metals; Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium.
  1. Electronic Equipment :  Partner with the YMCA at Virginia Tech to allow residents to donate their electronic equipment to the Thrift Store for reuse within the community or responsible disposal through the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority.
  2. Fluorescent Lamps :  Partner with local facility managers to increase awareness of the mercury risks associated with standard fluorescent lamps and encourage the responsible disposal of mercury containing lamps.
  3. Lead Free Wheel Weights : Conduct a pilot program at the Town of Blacksburg Garage Operation to replace lead wheel balancing weights with an alternative metal such as zinc or steel.  Lessons learned from the pilot program will be used to partner with local automotive service stations to eliminate lead wheel weights in their operations.
  4. Cadmium and Lead Batteries :  Conduct an education and outreach program to encourage the public and local businesses to recycle batteries.  Partner with local businesses, public schools, public libraries, etc. to provide recycling containers for batteries.
  • Others will follow soon. Watch this space.