Frederick County's all-new Frederick County Green logo represents an extension of Frederick County Recycling. Its mission is to move beyond our county's efforts to reduce waste and send materials off for recycling and reuse, keeping the message of "green living" a priority in our community.

Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

Pollinators are responsible for the success of 150 varieties of crops in the U.S. and nearly 75 percent of all flowering plants. Find out more about their importance, how to protect the imperiled monarch and all pollinators and ways to invite them into your garden such as planting natives and providing habitat.

 

Pollinator Booklet Save the Monarch

Greening the Valley

Businesses in our community are a huge part of our green efforts. As part of a two-year project administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, a publication was produced celebrating those accomplishments. Greening the Valley is a compilation of recycling and conservation success stories from businesses and nonprofits across the Northern Shenandoah Planning District.

Read The Publication 

Green Choices

Want to enjoy the green life? It's easy to be green! The EPA has everything you need to know -- from "green" vehicle choices; operating your car in order to achieve to maximum fuel efficiency; selecting durable goods when shopping; and even tips on environmentally-friendly lawn care.

Check out Touchstone Energy Cooperatives' Together We Save videos for tips to save energy around the house.

Visit the recycling office for your free Frederick County Green usable tote!

Take a closer look at Virginia's residential energy consumption.

Support Local Farmers

Summer is here! That means fresh, local fruits and produce in abundance. Support our local farmers, markets and processors. Buy local. Discover what's in season and where to find it at Buy Local Shenandoah Valley.

Buying local benefits our local economy, the consumer, and the environment.

Something's Fishy

Enjoy locally caught fish? Learning more about the benefits of consuming fish, how to best prepare it and local consumption advisories.

Conservation: Rain Barrels, Composting, and More

OUR 2023 Rain Barrel and Compost Bin sale is sold out! See you next year with a pre-order sale.  Love to garden? Get a jump on the growing season with Winter Sowing. Here's some tips from our favorite Master Gardener! Start Your Winter Sowing Now!  Looking for information to help your flower or vegetable garden flourish all year? Maybe there are insects or nuisance plants invading your space? The local Extension Office is always available to help. Contact the Master Gardeners at Master Gardeners - Volunteers

Why Install a Rain Barrel?

• Grow green! Your plants will love it! Rainwater has no added chemicals, is usually soft and free of dissolved minerals. Water that is "softened" with chemicals is bad for plants due to salts that are dissolved in the water.
• Conserve water. Drought or no drought, we should all conserve water. Our groundwater and fresh water supplies are limited.
• Reduce runoff and pollution. If your roof's area is 1,200 square feet (30 x 40 feet), then 1 inch of rain equals more than 700 gallons! Find out how much your roof can save at www.save-the-rain.com. You can harvest this rainwater which otherwise would be lost to runoff. To harvest even more rainwater, you can connect several barrels in a series and have hundreds of gallons of water capacity.
• It's easy being green. Water from rain barrels is easily accessible for various garden chores. (Also, if you depend on electricity to run your well pump, this water is handy during power outages.)
• Save green! If you are on municipal water, why pay to water your gardens when you can collect hundreds of gallons at no cost?
• Rain barrels can be constructed not only from food grade barrels, but also from sturdy trash cans. Read more in Building a Rain Barrel from a Plastic Trash Can

Why Compost?

Rather than "feed" a landfill, wouldn't you rather feed your lawn and garden? By composting your yard waste and kitchen scraps, you reduce the amount of waste headed for the local landfill and produce a rich, dark soil amendment as an added bonus. It's nature's way of recycling and doesn't require a lot of time or specialized tools. All the supplies you need to get started are already in your yard. Remember, any time of year is a great time to start your own backyard program.

• Improves structure, texture and aeration of soil.
• Contains nutrients and trace elements essential to plant growth.
• Adds beneficial organisms to the soil.
• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and mulches — saves money.
• Reduces the need for watering your garden.
• Reduces by up to 30 percent the material sent to landfills!

Read more in "The Four Seasons of Composting"

Gardening and yard spruce up are always great outdoor activities that you may safely enjoy.

Buying too much food, costs you money and leads to food waste. Get creative with properly stored leftovers.

Conserve, Protect Our Water, and Save Money

GrassCycling is a set of landscaping practices that can improve the health and appearance of your lawn while protecting the environment and saving money. Learn how to spend less time working on your lawn, invest less in water and chemicals and reduce yard waste.

Did you know that we use up to 80 gallons of water each day inside our homes? Don't Be A Drip. Save A Drop.

Water Conservation Worksheet

Landscaping and Fertilizer Information