October 2026 - Eco-City Newsletter

Virginia Visionary Award

We're proud of our EV Planner, Amy Posner, for receiving the Virginia Visionary Award at the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition annual conference. She's working hard every day to make sure all Alexandrians can benefit from electric transportation to clean the air and help meet our climate goals.

No tricks, just energy saving treats!

On Saturday 17, we joined the Spooky Mad Science Expo at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. Huge kudos to Zohreh Khoshnamak, the CEO from Chrysalis Development Group, for putting together such a fun and electrifying event!
At this expo, we helped the community sign up for Eco-City Homes. Do you want to keep scary energy bills and vampire energy from haunting your home? Sign up today and learn how you can make your home more energy-efficient! Learn more visit: Eco-City Homes webpage.

Eco-City Hits the Farmers' Markets!

This month, the Eco-City team visited farmers' markets across Alexandria to connect with residents and share information on the City's sustainability programs. Residents who signed up for Eco-City Homes received an energy-saving kit to help make their homes more efficient! If you want to save energy and money, apply for the program at the Eco-City Homes webpage.

Seventh Graders Explored Alexandria's Watersheds!

More than 1,000 Alexandria seventh graders took part in the annual Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) this month, exploring Ben Brenman Pond through hands-on activities about invasive species, stormwater, climate action, and water quality. These field trips help Alexandria students understand how local actions can protect the land, trees, and waterways that make our community special.

Operation Illumination is back!

Join us for our annual event where we distribute bike lights, helmets, and safety tips to improve visibility for people walking and biking, particularly during shorter daylight months. Support Vision Zero by pairing safety equipment with in-person engagement that encourages safer travel behavior!
Be bright, be seen, and make every trip even safer. Come be illuminated! Visit the City's calendar webpage.

Join the City of Alexandria to celebrate America Recycles Day

Join the City of Alexandria's Resource Recovery Division and celebrate AmericaRecycles Day at our free shredding event. This event will take place Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Joseph Hensley Park (4200 Eisenhower Avenue). City of Alexandria residents are invited to bring accepted materials and watch the process via a monitor on the side of the shredding truck - all accepted materials will be securely recycled afterwards!

For additional questions about accepted materials, please visit the Alexandria Recycling webpage, or contact [email protected] .

Pumpkin Rescue Begins November 7

Beginning Saturday, November 7, Alexandria residents can sustainably repurpose pumpkins, gourds, and squash in two ways:

• Donate: Bring intact, unpainted, and uncut items to feed local families with ALIVE! Alexandria.
• Compost: Bring items in ANY condition to any Food Waste Drop-Off Station. Remove candles, wax, and non-compostable materials, and cut into small pieces.

Drop-offs are available at all City farmers' markets November 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, and December 5-6.

Residents receiving curbside compost collection can place one jack-o'-lantern, pumpkin, gourd, or squash out with their bins per week on their regularly scheduled pickup day.

Learn more about the 2026 Pumpkin Rescue.