Back in November 2008, I wrote a blog that posed the question should recycling be mandatory or whether is should be left to individual discretion. I talked about how in Europe and the UK that recycling is enforced and non-conformity like a traffic violation will result in fines. Let's face it there really should be no excuse for not recycling as most local districts make it really easy. In Arlington VA, homeowners recycling will be collected in recycling receptacles and sorted at the Arlington Recycle Centers. The only requirement for Arlington Homeowners is to dispose of recyclable waste in the container and leave it on the curb for the weekly collection. It seems simple enough and most Arlington residents and Americans do their part. Naturally there are always those who do not conform, which raised the question should failure to recycle become fineable? Most people wouldn't litter but it needs to be a punishable offense to deter those who maybe incline to do so.
States such as California have some recycling laws but none seem to go as far as those in other countries. These bans seem to be effective, i.e. a ban on the water bottle was enforced in parts of Australia; and many countries including Singapore outlawed the use of plastic bags. In China a finable ban on super thin plastic bags cut the use of 40 billion bags, reduced plastic bag usage by 66 percent and saved China 1.6 million tons of petroleum, according to recent government estimates reported on Treehugger.com. All of the above examples suggest that enforcing environmental laws that require people to recycle and eliminate the use of plastic bags and bottles really does work, but does this encroach on our rights and should it be left to personal choice. This leaves me wondering with the future impact or our actions on the environment so important will harsher laws need to be implemented in the United States to save further damage to the environment, so should recycling be mandatory?
Stay on top of environmental news and sign up for the Arbour Newsletter
-Lisa Tsoupelis
Exciting news for those Virginia Homeowners who are interested in making green home improvements. Virginia announced that approximately $6.5 million will be available for a second round of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program to make existing homes and businesses more energy efficient.
Energy efficiency improvements include upgrading heating and air conditioning equipment, adding insulation, replacing leaky windows, and other improvements to existing homes and businesses that reduce energy consumption and utility costs. Check out the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program website for rebate information.
If you are interested in making energy efficiency improvements, which in the long run lead to lower utility bills, a healthier family environment and financial savings, act soon. The money will run out quickly, so don’t delay to get your piece of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, continue your green commitment and reduce your carbon footprint.
Sign up for the Arbour Newsletter.
Saturday is the perfect day to come out and visit Arbour Realty at the ACE Green Living Expo. The Expo will feature green suppliers, green real estate, products from local and national businesses, exhibits and seminars from government agencies and nonprofits, and a free Going Green Guide for Apartment Renters! Green Living Expo includes seminars, a raffle, and plenty of activities for children. It will provide an important venue to showcase new technology and products available that can help soften our carbon footprints in Arlington. The Green Living Expo will be held at The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), located in Ballston making it the perfect event to start the Car-Free Diet and take the metro or bus. The Green Living Expo is free and open to the general public; this family-friendly event is perfect for all ages.
Location:
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
4301 Wilson Blvd. in Ballston
We look forward to seeing you Saturday March 20th between 10-4pm.
Click here for further details.
We look forward to seeing you Saturday March 20th between 10-4pm.
Click here for further details.
I think that we would all agree that our car plays an integral part in our life. Fortunately living in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington allows me to rely less on my car and take advantage of living within blocks of the Orangeline Metro system, it is very convenient that it is such a walkable neighborhood, one that actually scores 92 out of 100 on walkscore.com (check out the walkability of your neighborhood).
Most Arlington Neighborhoods are designed to be in close proximity to meet most of needs including restaurants, stores, and Arlington schools. Even so we still use our cars probably a little more than we really need to. For some individuals their car can play a huge part in their occupation, and even though the Northern Virginia transportation system is good, it may not be possible for them to rely on public transportation solely.
With this in mind and Arlington County continuous green commitment they have created a challenge, which is called ‘Car-Free Diet Skeptics’. Arlington County, Virginia is looking for its biggest Car-Free Diet Skeptics – people who drive their cars all the time now, but who are willing to give car-free living a shot.
Adam Gallegos founder of Arbour Realty, which is a green real estate company has signed up to be nominated for the Car-Free Diet, you can check out his nomination video along with the other Arlington residents at Car-Free Diet Skeptics website . Between now and March 31st you can place a vote daily for your favorite Car-Free Diet Skeptic applicant. Then the votes will be combined with the Car-Free Diet Skeptic judges’ scores to decide which applicants become the chosen Skeptics. For 30 days starting April 22 the fun begins and the chosen Skeptics will chronicle their car-free experiences on the Arlington County website!
I look forward to following along with this challenge and to see how easy it really is to live totally car free. Hopefully this challenge will inspire us all too occasionally leave the car behind, not only creating a healthier lifestyle for ourselves but also the environment.
We would love to hear how Car-Free you are, and methods you use to reduce your carbon footprint.
Sign up for the Monthly Arbour Realty Newsletter.
Driving through the many diverse neighborhoods of Northern Virginia, it is interesting to see all of the different elements of architectural design that come into play. From neighborhood to neighborhood the styles transition in and out of Federal, Georgian, Cape Cod, Craftsman, Bungalow and even multiple styles of condominium. When you are looking at buying a home, or doing remodeling, it is important to know your own style. What floats your stylistic boat? Are you a fan of the detailed overhangs and exposed trusses of the Craftsman? Are you drawn towards the neo-classical detail on the bricked in Federal with shutters and keystones? How do you even know what you are looking at when you're meandering through these neighborhoods or clicking through pictures on the web? In Northern Virginia, you will see several architectural styles over and over, and in Arlington VA you will find that the styles get narrowed down quite a bit. Here is a clear cut snapshot of the most popular architectural styles in Arlington VA to help you through your style identification:
Federal or Adam's Style: Very low pitched roof line, typical fanlight over entry door, very symmetrically placed shuttered windows around door, can be multiple stories, generally red brick construction, curved architectural details on the inside of the home. It can be easy to confuse Federal and Georgian styles, but remember Georgian homes are more angular on the interior finish outs.
Georgian: Like the Federal style of home, there is a low pitched roof line. Very square and symmetrical homes quite similar in appearance to Federal styles. Shuttered windows frame the entry which will generally have larger paneled shutters framing the door. Rectangular homes, generally wood siding.
Cape Cod: Traditionally steep set roof lines, with centralized fireplaces (moved to one side of the home in the currently built Cape Cods), hardwood floors and sometimes gabled windows, Dormer windows and stabilized shutters adorn these homes. Generally either brick or wood siding, these one or two story homes were popular in the 1700's in England and made a popular revival in the 1930's in New England.
Craftsman or Arts and Crafts: Low pitched roof line with many overhangs and often larger covered entry porch with stone or wood support columns. Numerous windows, exposed trusses and wood beams, much architectural detail in artisan crafted wood detailing throughout homes. Exterior can be wood shingled, stone cobbled, or stucco combination. Very popular in the early 1900's and widely seen as a movement of architecture based on using natural elements and skilled artisan laborers.
Bungalow: Typically, one and a half story homes with partially gabled roof lines, many built in cabinets and often hardwood floors. You will usually find a large covered front porch with very rectangular columns; Bungalow homes may appear very similar to some later Craftsman homes because of porch. These homes were made popular in the early 1900's as families were moving out of apartments and into single family homes.
No matter what style or styles of architecture sing to you, it helps to know what you are looking at and know if you'd be happy living in a home whose stylized elements help to define you and where you live. If you're looking for a home in Northern Virginia, check out our customizable search tools or give us a call. Our agents can help you learn about the various types of homes throughout the DC, Virginia and Maryland real estate areas.
Northern Virginia's first green real estate company... we operate as an eco-responsible business and provide a consultative approach to real estate, arming our clients with valuable information.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2013 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
