Fairfax County's EnviroPod

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services podcast, EnviroPod, helps you learn more about the department’s environmental work. In our latest installment, episode #34, host Bob DeMarco talks with DPWES Recycling Coordinator Erica Carter about the county's successful Farmers Market Composting program, how it works, and how you can participate.

Joan Allen, Urban Forester and Branch Chief, Urban Forest Management Division, talks with host Bob DeMarco about the invasive insect known as the spotted lanternfly, and the damage it causes to grapes, fruit trees, hops and many other agricultural plants -- but it is not in Fairfax County...yet.

Host Bob DeMarco and Engineer IV Vrushali Oak, Building Design and Construction Division, DPWES, talk about green buildings and why this type of construction is valuable for decreasing the effects of greenhouse gasses.

New host Bob DeMarco talks to Patricia Greenberg, Resource Manager at the Park Authority, about their Invasive Management Area. Volunteers work to remove invasive plants from park property. This is an important program that reduces invasive plants and restores natural habitat.

Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Christopher Herrington, talks about the future of public works, his thoughts about Fairfax County so far plus more. EnviroPod features subject matter experts from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services talking about important environmental topics focused on what residents can do and what the county is doing to fulfill its env...

Suzy Foster, landscape architect, DPWES, talks about how residents can improve the environment by installing native plants on townhouse or small lots and on large residential lots. EnviroPod features subject matter experts from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services talking about important environmental topics focused on what residents can do and what the county is doing to fulf...

Ivonne Renderos, Engineer with the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, talks about the county's streetlight program with Dominion Electric to change all of the streetlight bulbs to save money and increase safety for residents. EnviroPod features subject matter experts from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services talking about important environmental topics focu...

Pamella Ndagire, code specialist, Industrial Waste Section, Wastewater Management Program, talks with host Scott Coco about how the Wastewater Management Program works with businesses to mitigate pollution (fats, oil and grease) that businesses may unknowingly cause in serving their customers.

Joan Allen, Chief, Forest Pest Branch, Urban Forest Management Division of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, talks with host Scott Coco about the coming Cicada Invasion arriving in Fairfax County in May and June. Millions of brood X cicada are expected to emerge from their underground homes and climb up trees looking for a mate. No harm will come to the trees and the cicad...

Laurel Shultzaberger, Emergency Management Specialist, Director’s Office, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, talks with host Scott Coco about personal protective equipment related to face coverings -- what to purchase, how to wear, how to dispose of masks and the environmental impact when masks are not disposed of correctly.

Eric Forbes from Solid Waste Management talks about the change from plastic yard waste bags to paper bags to help keep plastic out of the environment. The change is effective Monday, April 19, 2021.

Bill Hicks, Director, Land Development Services (LDS), talks about the work that LDS does for the environment that ensures all development in the county meets the safety and health standards of applicable codes and county ordinances. LDS inspectors, engineers and other staff review all site and subdivision plans; inspect site development; conduct the plan review, permitting and inspection of new a...

Christine McCoy, Education and Outreach Specialist, Solid Waste Management Program, talks about the new food-scraps-to-compost program. Residents are welcome to bring their food scraps to two locations in the county: the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road; or the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton. More information is available on the county website.

Jen Cole, executive director, Clean Fairfax, talks with Scott Coco about litter caused by the pandemic and the over-use of plastic in the United States and globally.

Mike McGrath, director, Noman Cole Pollution Control Plant, talks about how the county treats wastewater, how important clean water is to life on earth, and the improvements in public health and the environment since October 1970 when the plant opened.

Curtis also talks about the Bandalong trash trap that was recently installed in Little Hunting Creek that is successfully capturing floating trash. Litter is a problem for the critters who live in the streams in Fairfax County.

The Purple Can Club (glass recycling) is suspended and the county asks residents to mulch or compost their yard waste – or don’t create yard waste. These changes are necessary to limit employees' exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Full service will be restored when this public health emergency is over. If you have an idea to be discussed on EnviroPod, email SWPDmail@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-...

So called “flushable” wipes are made of polyester and cause sewer backups into homes and streets and damage wastewater pipes and pumps. Disinfectant wipes of every type should be disposed of in the trash. Other things that should not be flushed down the toilet are: dental floss, paper towels, napkins, cotton swabs, plastic of any kind, food, hair, diapers and clothing of any kind, needles or sharp...

Dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) like paint, chemicals, and batteries safely by bringing those items to the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road or the I-95 Landfill in Lorton. If you don’t know what an item is, bring it to one of these locations and qualified employees will figure out how to dispose of it in environmentally friendly ways. It's easy and free for Fairfax County residents...

The restoration of the riparian corridor is the most common technique used in stream restorations. The loss of the vegetated riparian corridor of many streams, particularly those within urbanized watersheds, calls for riparian restoration, one of the least expensive of all stream restoration activities.

Things have changed in landscaping for residential, commercial and municipal use. Thirty years ago, there was a very limited choice of plants available for all three uses. Now it’s known that native plants are equal in beauty to non-native plants and they are readily available in nearby nurseries. The natives are hardy and can support more wildlife – like butterflies and other pollinators – than n...

There are purple, glass only recycling containers in multiple locations throughout the county and nearby jurisdictions. This is a regional effort with partners that include City of Alexandria, Prince William County and Arlington County with more to come. Glass is infinitely recyclable and can be used in some construction projects. For more information visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicwork...

We’ve been taught for generations to dispose of unwanted medication by flushing it down the toilet or sink. Things have changed. There are safe, easy and environmentally friendly ways to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Don’t allow drugs to fall into the wrong hands or contaminate water supplies. EnviroPod features subject matter experts from the Department of Public Works...

The MS4 is the stormwater drainage system. The MS4 Permit requires the county to prevent polluted stormwater runoff from reaching state waterways through the stormwater system, and to educate the public in ways they can help. Stormwater runoff contains lots of litter. The county recently started a litter cleanup program with homeless shelters whose residents are paid to clean up litter from street...

EnviroPod Episode 10 features Hugh Whitehead, urban forester III, Urban Forest Management Division, talking about tree care -- how to select the right tree for the right place; how to dig the hole (call 811 first), mulch and water; and after-planting care such as when and how to prune.