waste watchers

Cleanup supplies on the Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore Waste Watchers Awarded Green Grant

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Eastern Shore VA Waste Watcher is awarded a $500 Green Grant in the Litter Prevention Category as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program.

Cleanup supplies on the Eastern ShoreEvery year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.

Eastern Shore VA Waste Watchers is an independent, non-profit volunteer community group that promotes the responsible disposal of waste on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They focus on Eastern Shore litter and trash pick-up along our highways, shorelines, and other crucial points. They conduct annual litter surveys, organize road and water clean-ups, and sponsor a children’s essay contest. In addition, Eastern Shore VA Waste Watchers supports County agencies such as VDOT and Public Works in their efforts to keep the Shore litter-free.

Funds awarded for Green Grants will be used for their “Help Keep the Shore Litter-Free” program, whose goal is to support a cleaner, healthier Eastern Shore. They will purchase supplies needed for safe litter cleanups, such as safety vests, litter grabbers, gloves, and hand sanitizer.

If you’d like to learn more or volunteer to help, Waste Watchers meets the second Wednesday of every month at 11am in the Public Works building in Accomac. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you Waste Watchers, we appreciate the work you do!

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Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore in Action

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Waste Watchers has accomplished the first phase of its Bring Your Own Bag campaign. The attached picture is of our sign up at Walmart in Onley, VA.

We expect to add the Shore Food Lions and possibly Family Dollar Stores soon. Any business that would like a sign can apply to Waste Watchers and/or buy one for $30. The sign was designed by a local artist of great renown.

Jenny O’Neill, Coordinator, Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore

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Waste Watchers of Eastern Shore WINS $1K Grant!

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Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore has been awarded a $1,000 grant in the Plastic Bag Recycling Category.  The KVB grant program focuses greater resources and attention on individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education. In honor of Earth Month, Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB) is awarding “30 Grants In 30 Days” in April, 2011.

Waste Watchers (WW) will establish a creative Plastic Bag Reducing/Recycling/Reusing Campaign through the use of signs in grocery store parking lots to remind shoppers to bring their own bags each time they shop.  In addition to signage, WW will create a relationship with larger retail merchants to provide reusable bags at reduced costs during the launch of this greatly needed plastic bag vs. reusable bag public awareness program throughout the entire Eastern Shore.  The “Did You Bring Your Bag” campaign hopes bring a greater connection with grocery store management.   Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore has already made a big impact as they helped convince the counties- Accomack and Northampton to begin recycling plastic bags last year.  For information on Waste Watchers of The Eastern Shore and their project, contact Jenny O’Neill, [email protected] or (757) 787-7468.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of (30) $1,000 grants in three different categories: 10 grants for plastic bag reduction and recycling, 10 grants for cigarette litter prevention, and 10 grants for community greening and beautification.  These grants are made possible by KVB’s partners, Walmart and Waste Management.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.  Our goals include becoming the leading statewide voice, providing a framework for improved communication and collaboration, cultivating and supporting sustainable programs, and engaging citizens by linking them to volunteer opportunities and information through these 5 impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling,Beautification, and Environmental Education.