Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

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The Town of Blacksburg is committed to reducing the amount of waste produced in town operations by:

Reduce Reuse Recycle

REDUCING waste before it is generated

In 2013, the town became the first Virginia municipality to join the State Electronics Challenge (SEC), a national program providing resources for individuals and organizations to make wiser choices in the selection, purchase, use, and recycling of office electronics. The SEC provides informational resources on computers, monitors, copiers and other office electronics that are designed to be less toxic, longer-lasting, more energy efficient and easier to recycle at the end of their useful life.

Other active steps that town has undertaken to reduce waste:

The town selects products that minimize unnecessary packaging and purchases in bulk where practicable, (about one-third of an average dumpster load is made up of containers and packaging material).
The custodial staff has begun purchasing less toxic cleaning materials in bulk thus reducing the number of single use cleaning dispensers.
Office staff are encouraged to print only if necessary; and if items must be printed, employees are encouraged to print drafts on blank sides of used paper. Published documents are printed or copied double-sided.

Using REUSABLE products

The town is working on a Green Town Offices initiative through the Environmental Management Program. As an example, the initiative will promote the use of reusable versus disposable or recyclable items, (such as reusable water bottles and coffee cups versus disposable).

RECYCLING items only after reducing as much waste and re-using as many products as possible

There are recycling collection areas in every town facility. Employees are offered convenient locations to recycle co-mingled containers, mixed paper, cardboard, batteries, and electronics that have reached the end of their useful life.