Fairfax County's EnviroPod

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 streets and streams. Shelter residents gain skills and money and the county gains a cleaner environment.

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.

Jen Cole, Executive Director, Clean Fairfax Council, talks with Host Scott Coco about litter on EnviroPod. We live in a disposable culture and many of our day-to-day items are made of plastic: plastic bags; plastic drink bottles; plastic tableware. There is more litter today than there was 50 years ago. Plastic litter does not go away, it just gets smaller and smaller. There are three things that everyone can do now to make a difference in the amount of litter we see in Fairfax County:

1. Stop using plastic bags from the grocery store; stop using plastic drink bottles

2. Too much food is wasted. Start composting food waste at home and at work

3. Make litter an issue on your personal social media platform.

The Clean Fairfax Council works to educate people about how to make less garbage. If you are looking for ways to clean up your neighborhood, ask Clean Fairfax.

EnviroPod Episode 8 features Dan Brooks, Assistant Complex Manager, I-66 Transfer Station, and Host Scott Coco, helping residents to dispose of paint, fertilizer, pesticides and other Household Hazardous Waste by bringing these leftover items to the I-95 Landfill in Lorton or to the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road, where Dan and his colleagues dispose of these noxious noxious chemicals in environmentally friendly ways. For a list of accepted materials visit: Household Hazardous Waste.

EnviroPod Number 7 features Ecologist Danielle Wynne, Stormwater Planning Division, Public Works, talking about the Watershed Education and Outreach group of county employees who partner with the Fairfax County Public Schools to bring environmental education to school children at young ages. Through games and native plantings on school properties, the children learn about stormwater and watersheds and how to prevent water pollution.

EnviroPod #6 features Takisha Cannon of the Industrial and High Risk Runoff program (IHRR) talking about how residents can report any questionable substances they may see in stormdrains or in streams. Paint, fertilizers and chemicals are among the types of noxious materials that flow to streams from stormdrains and kill the fish and the bugs. For more information call 703-324-5500, TTY 711

EnviroPod #5 features Eric Forbes, Solid Waste Management Program, talking about the latest news in glass recycling and the Filthy Five - Plastic bags; shredded paper; hangers, cords, hoses; carry-out containers and cups; and dirty diapers belong in the trash, not in the recycle bin. For more information about recycling call 703-324-5230, TTY 711.

This edition of EnviroPod (episode #4) features Joan Allen, Urban Forester, talking about an invasive, crop-killing pest known as the Spotted Lanternfly. This insect threatens the apple and grape industries (among others) and is quarantined in the City of Winchester.

This edition of the EnviroPod podcast features Dave Anglin, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, talking about the Backlick Stream Restoration project; a project that will make a positive environmental difference for the nearby property owners.

This edition of the EnviroPod podcast features Matt Meyers talking about his “Green Street” project in McLean and Green Streets in general.