The Eco-City Business Program hosts webinars on a variety of topics. These offer a deeper dive into ways that businesses can be more sustainable and how sustainability can help your business. With each session, the goal is to explain what the topic is and why it matters to you, and give you concrete next steps that you can implement right away.

If you have questions or specific topics you'd like us to cover, please contact Samantha.Heitsch@AlexandriaVA.gov.

Every drop of stormwater plays a role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Join the Eco-City Business Program’s upcoming webinar to learn how the City’s Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program empowers businesses to manage stormwater, improve local water quality, and earn up to 50% off their stormwater utility fee.

• When: Thursday, December 11, 10-11 am
• Register: zoom.us/meeting/register/4jpWNSscRIyF7_QF1EZn5w
• Who: Open to all Alexandria businesses

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program, with guest speaker Camille Liebnitzky, PE, ENV SP, Stormwater Utility Manager and Senior Environmental Engineer with the City of Alexandria.

For more information, email Samantha.Heitsch@AlexandriaVA.gov.

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

When: November 5, 2025

Topic: Expert guidance on reducing waste at your business, including:

• How to perform a waste audit and set up or review your recycling program
• Recycling best practices and how to avoid contamination (which can hurt recycling rates)
• Opportunities to reduce and reuse materials and opt for more sustainable packaging
• Relevant rules and regulations, including the recent Styrofoam ban and City Recycling Implementation Plans
• How the City can provide support on all of these!

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program, with guest speaker Howard Lee, City of Alexandria’s Resource Recovery Manager.

Resources:

The City is here to support you! 

• For general questions and assistance, reach out to WasteSmart@alexandriava.gov: we can help with reviewing your hauling contract and your approach to recycling and waste management, provide general ideas and information, answer your questions, and more.
• For the Recycling Implementation Plan forms and other ordinance questions, reach out to commercialrecycling@alexandriava.gov.  

Internal Waste Audit:

• Conducting Waste Assessments | US EPA

Inventory and Supplies:

Quoted from Virginia Green Resources and Links | Virginia DEQ (see the section on Green Products and Services):

• Virginia Green Suppliers Network (VGSN) serves as a one-stop-shop for Virginia Green and other tourism facilities that are searching for green products and services.
• Green & Clean is the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Initiative to recognize companies that have committed to responsible lawn care practices.
• The BioPreferred Catalog is a listing of biobased products.
• Green Seal is a non-profit organization that uses science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers and companies to create a more sustainable world.
• Safer Choice is EPA's program aimed at making it easy for consumers to find products that are safe for people and the environment. Products with the Safer Choice logo have met stringent criteria for product ingredients, product performance, pH, packaging and more.
• ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple information that consumers and businesses can rely on to make informed decisions.
• WaterSense is an EPA national voluntary partnership program that offers a simple way for consumers to identify water-efficient products.

The Green Restaurant Association also provides a database of Certified Green Products and Services.

Commercial Recycling and Disposal: 

• Recycling Implementation Plan Brochure and website
• Video Explaining the APEX Registration Process (RIPs are submitted in APEX)
• FY2025 - List of Permitted Solid Waste Haulers in the City of Alexandria (updated January 9, 2025)
• Recycling Yes/No Flyer for Multi-family and Non-Residential Properties
• Solid Waste and Recyclables Materials Storage Space Guidelines
• Working with Janitorial Service Companies
• Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses
• Glass Recycling

Inventory Packaging: 

• Building a Better Recycling System | The Recycling Partnership
• Circular Packaging Assessment Tool - The Recycling Partnership

Foam Ban:

• Foam-Free Resources | Virginia DEQ
• Foam Free Alexandria | City of Alexandria, VA 

Reuse Directory: 

• Reduce, Reuse & Other Recycling Opportunities | City of Alexandria, VA

City Code:

• Solid Waste – Private Collectors: City Municipal Code 5-1-51
• On Solid Waste Control

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

When: September 11, 2025

Topic: Research shows that customers value sustainability. This webinar discussed how you can leverage that to make your business stand out, including an interactive brainstorm for messaging and marketing campaigns for your own business.

Hosted by Samantha Heitsch, City of Alexandria’s Sustainability Coordinator and program manager for the Eco-City Business Program. Guest speakers include Julie Chapman, ALX Dog Walk; Karen Butcher, Port City Brewing Company; and Suhyoon Wood, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

When: August 5, 2025

Topic: Understand what uses energy at your business and ways to be more efficient (and save money!), including free rebate programs from Dominion Energy.

Resources: 

• Dominion Energy programs for small businesses
• To join Dominion's Building Engagement Program, email josh.ward@honeywell.com.
• To join Dominion's Commercial Lighting Systems and Controls program, get in touch with one of their contractors.
  • Or, email barbara.waterman@honeywell.com.