The Fair Goes Green

One of the first things people see when they come to the fair is perhaps most likely not to get a second glance. But blue-top recycling stations are among one of the most common fixtures at the Arlington County Fair this year.

Tiffany Kudravetz, chairwoman of the fair's board of directors, said this is one of several initiatives to help make the fair greener.

In addition to the recycling stations, Arlington County is hosting a water refill station, which organizers hope will encourage people to conserve plastic and reuse their water bottles, Kudravetz said. The county has also provided a number of bicycle racks to encourage people to leave their cars at home.

Besides the fair's initiatives, there are a couple of exhibits that promote environmental accountability. Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services is hosting a booth which promoted everything from recycling to energy preservation.

Environmental accountability "is a county priority,” said Kelly Zouderwyk with the county department. “And it's popular among the residents, too.”

The main attraction at the Environmental Services booth is a new Chevy Volt, a completely electric car that will be added to the county's motor pool.

Matthew Davila, a contract analyst with Environmental Services, said the Volt is part of a pilot project called AIRE – the Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions.

“Our goal is to reduce our footprint as much as possible,” Davila said. “The car runs on zero gasoline."

The Virginia Cooperative Extension also has a booth.

That agency offers information on everything from English Ivy protection to gardening, pesticides and urban forestry.

Extension Agent Kristen Buhls said about 300 people stop by the booth daily. Sunday will feature several educational presentations and gardening demonstrations.

“The (environment) is important to the community viability,” Buhls said. She added that something as simple as creating a community garden can change the way people think.

“If you care for the land, you start to care about the the food it creates,” Buhls said. “If you care about the food you eat from the land, you start to care what happens outside that land and you start to care what happens outside your community.”