Green

Crystal City is a transit-oriented, and therefore, inherently green area. In an effort to leverage and market Crystal City’s existing green assets, as well as to further enhance the area’s environmentally-conscious competitive-edge, the Crystal City BID launched, Crystal Green. This program focuses on building relationships with key partners to minimize the cumulative environmental impact of the neighborhood’s businesses and residences by focusing on energy efficiency, environmental quality, and waste minimization.

Under the umbrella of the Crystal Green program, the Crystal City BID has rolled out environmentally responsible and sustainable landscaping programs, waste-free events, composting, street recycling, electronics recycling events, a Farmers’ Market, and much more. The program ties well with Arlington County’s focus on environmental responsibility and stewardship efforts as illustrated in the County’s Fresh Aire Campaign as well as a long-standing commitment to Smart Growth initiatives. The following video summarizes how Arlington has been shaped by these policies.

Crystal Green Ribbon – Recognition for Area Businesses Engaging in Environmentally Responsible Practices

Virginia Green Lodging Program

A number of Crystal City hotels are participating in the Virginia Green Lodging program. Virginia Green Lodging is an initiative to promote pollution prevention practices in the hospitality and lodging sector. Virginia Green Lodging encourages hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and inns, cabin operations, and other lodging facilities to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce these impacts. The program provides guidance and resources on pollution prevention techniques that have been used in the hospitality industry and proven to reduce impacts and many time save money.

Virginia Green Lodging is a self-certifying program where facilities must verify that they are at least practicing the Virginia Green Lodging “core activities," and hopefully they are doing much more! The Core Activities are:

  • Optional Linen Service: sheets and towels are not automatically changed every day.
  • Recycling: guests must have the opportunity to recycle during their stay.
  • Water Conservation: a plan should be in place for minimizing water use.
  • Energy Conservation: a plan should be in place to address energy conservation & efficiency opportunities.
  • Green Events, Conferences, & Meetings: facilities should be able to accommodate groups who want “green” events.

Guests visiting Virginia Green Lodging facilities can expect that the facility has at least these activities in place. Participants are encouraged to tell us about any and all of the other “green” activities they’ve undertaken – and these are included in the facility’s profile which appears on our website. Consumers can then choose to stay at a facility which offers the “green” amenities that they value!

Participating hotels in Crystal City:

Green Events

4/25/2012
Power Shred/Purge
As part of the Green program, the Crystal City BID gives offices, works, and residents an opportunity to recycle their electronics safely and securely for free.
5/4/2012
Bulb Blitz

view full calendar

Past Events

11/22/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
11/8/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
11/1/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
10/25/2011
FRESHFarm Harvest Festival
10/18/2011
Crystal Green Fair
10/11/2011
Floral Frenzy - Tropical Storm
9/30/2011
Geranium Grab
The geranium grab will allow area residents and workers to dig in on the fun of removing hundreds geraniums in Crystal City in preparation for a new set of floral landscaping.
9/27/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
9/20/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
9/13/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
8/16/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
8/2/2011
Crystal City FRESHFARMS Farmers Market
Located on the sidewalk along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets, Crystal Farms takes place every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM from May 3th through November 22nd, 2011.
5/6/2011
Fit Week - Bulb Blitz
5/3/2011
Fit Week: Crystal City FRESHFARM Farmers Market
4/27/2011
Power Purge
As part of the Green program, the Crystal City BID gives offices, works, and residents an opportunity to recycle their electronics safely and securely for free.
10/12/2010
Floral Frenzy - Tropical Storm
There is a "tropical storm" forecasted for the Crystal City Farmers' Market on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Come out and save a tropical plant from winter's chill! Plants are free beginning at 3:00pm, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
10/1/2010
Floral Frenzy - Geranium Grab
The geranium grab will allow area residents and workers to dig in on the fun of removing hundreds geraniums in Crystal City in preparation for a new set of floral landscaping.
5/18/2010
Crystal City Farmers' Market
The Crystal City FRESHFARM Market will setup shop on the sidewalk of Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Street every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting May 18th and running through October 26th.
10/20/2009 – 10/27/2009
Farmers Market
Over twenty local farmers and producers bring together seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, container plants and herbs, farm-raised eggs, artisan baked goods and meat, coffee and teas, specialty foods and much more. The weekly market runs every Tuesday.
10/13/2009
Floral Frenzy
4/25/2009
2009 Northern Gateway Clean Up
4/15/2009
Power Purge
Area businesses and residents can safely and securely drop off unwanted electronics for recycling. Everything from batteries, desktop computers and laptops, to TVs, monitors and microwaves are accepted for FREE.
8/11/2008 – 8/14/2008
Power Purge