askHRgreen is a regional environmental education and outreach program led by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission in partnership with staff from the 17 cities and counties of Hampton Roads. Through regional collaboration, Hampton Roads communities work together to educate the public about important environmental topics and provide resources to help residents take action. Priorities include waste reduction and recycling, litter prevention and community beautification, drinking water quality and conservation, and protecting our local waterways.

askHRgreen serves the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia which includes the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, Surry and York; the Town of Smithfield; and our partners at HRSD.

We provide many resources to help residents take action for a cleaner environment. You’ll find information and practical tips that easily blend into your daily routine. You can get involved by signing up to be a Bay Star or volunteering for a local litter cleanup. We also have a variety of grant programs that connect Hampton Roads with the tools or funds needed to empower a community-led project. Whether you’re looking for a credible source of recycling and disposal information, classroom resources, or upcoming events, we’ve got you covered!

This is one of our most common questions. Our Waste Wizard tool for recycling and disposal information gives you straightforward answers based on where you live in Hampton Roads. Disposal guidelines often vary depending on where you live in the region so if you have questions, don’t guess. Just ask!

People are often confused by this. The answer is that each city or county has its own waste and recycling contracts. This can mean different processing facilities, haulers, and service levels (curbside pickup vs. convenience centers). This creates different recycling and disposal requirements depending on what local contract is covering the waste collection services where you live.

Many people believe storm drains or ditches carry rainwater to a treatment facility where pollution can be removed from the water. The truth is, storm drains often drain directly into local rivers, streams, the Chesapeake Bay, or Atlantic Ocean. That means everything that goes into a storm drain flows right to the waterway. It’s vital to keep storm drains clean and clear of anything other than rainwater. Only rain down the storm drain!

Pet waste is not fertilizer and should never be left on the ground as it contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can make you or your pet sick. And those nutrients that make people think it’s great fertilizer are actually a top pollutant to local waterways. Do the right thing and scoop the poop every time – even in your own backyard!

Grease and cooking oil will harden/thicken as they cool creating the potential to do costly damage to household plumbing. Pipes clogged by grease and oil can cause overflows, spilling wastewater into your home or into the street where it can enter storm drains and local waterways. The best solution is to let grease and cooking oil cool in a disposable heat-safe container before tossing it into the trash.

There is no such thing as a flushable wipe. While the store shelves are flooded with products promising to be safe for plumbing, the fact is any product other than toilet paper is unlikely to break down fast enough to safely move through the wastewater system. Because wipes don’t quickly dissolve like toilet paper, they can tangle in pipes or pumps further down the line and cause massive clogs. When the pipes clog, wastewater can be pushed back into your home or out into the streets where it can pollute local waterways. The best solution? Flush only the three P’s: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper.

Local water utilities are under strict monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure drinking water is safe for the public. Water is tested continually – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year – to make sure contaminants are not present in our local municipal drinking water. Each of our water utilities publishes an annual water quality report to show you exactly what is (and isn’t) in your drinking water. Bottled water offers none of those assurances.

Yes—teachers, civic leagues, HOAs, and community groups often ask about presentations, activity kits, outreach events, and educational materials for students and residents. We’re happy to come out and/or support your event with free resources. Just send us a request at hrgreen@hrpdcva.gov.

Volunteering for litter cleanups (like Great American Cleanup) is a great way to get involved. You can also join the Bay Star program – as a household or business (including schools, faith communities, etc.). Don’t forget to check the event calendar for upcoming opportunities and follow us on social media for seasonal reminders and all the latest news.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on seasonal tips and need to know information. Find us on YouTube and TikTok and enjoy some of our fun educational videos. You may also see or hear us on TV, local radio, the news, and more!