We’re in the final days of Plastic Free July, and to celebrate everyone tackling the challenge, this week we’re sharing good news only: the return of American chestnuts and growing reefs, reuse programs, and a legal victory in the fight against pollution. Plus, this weekend’s sales tax holiday on school and emergency supplies!

Stock Up on Essentials During Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 1-3 – Virginia Department of Taxation, 2025

This weekend marks Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday. You can purchase three categories of items without paying Virginia sales tax: school supplies and clothing; hurricane and emergency preparedness items; and products with EnergyStar or WaterSense labels. Item eligibility and additional details can be found on the VA Sales Tax website. Of course, Clean Fairfax encourages you to think before you shop: can you reduce, reuse, repurpose, or recycle what you already have? If not, go forth and save some tax!

For the First Time in Decades, Hikers Can Walk in Forests of Mature, Wild American Chestnuts – Garden & Gun, July 24, 2025

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was the queen of the eastern North American forest. Valued as a food source for wildlife, livestock, and humans alike, it provided top-quality lumber and dominated the forest canopy up and down the Appalachians. In the early 20th century, however, a fungal blight originating in Asia was accidentally introduced and quickly spread across the chestnut’s range. The blight, and its imminent threat, decimated the chestnut population as timber harvesters raced to log the healthy trees that remained before they were infected. By the middle of last century, chestnuts essentially disappeared. However, through efforts of scientists and volunteers, the species may be making a comeback. Careful cross-breeding has resulted in hybridized American chestnuts that can resist the blight. The American Chestnut Foundation works with conservation groups up and down the eastern seaboard to test and reintroduce potentially blight-resistant trees. Today, one successful site can be found in Lesesne State Forest in Nelson County, VA (about 2.5 hours southwest of Fairfax). The forest is open to the public and is home to a 30-acre forest stand featuring 60-year old, 70-foot tall American chestnuts that have reached maturity without succumbing to the blight. Add this one to your bucket list!

Scientists left cinderblocks in a barren part of the sea. 3 months later they were ecstatic. – Upworthy, July 25, 2025

Twelve years ago, scientists in Grenada started an experiment to find out whether cement blocks arranged in pyramids on the ocean floor could act as scaffolding for regrowing coral reefs. Within months, sea life began colonizing the pyramids, starting with algae, sponges, and several species of invertebrates. After just a year and a half, fish and certain coral species such as brain coral and stony coral began colonizing them. The pyramids have continued to attract more and more diverse life over the years, and the project, known as the Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project or GAARP, continues to add more concrete structures to encourage coral reef recovery. Similar efforts are underway all around the world, attempting to combat the effects of rising ocean temperatures and increasing acidification that threaten the health of existing reefs. 

Reduce, reuse, repair: A Vermont network works to cut down on waste while fostering community – VTDigger.org, July 23, 2025

Vermont, a state with a population approaching 650,000, generates about 540,000 tons of solid waste each year – that’s the better part of a ton per person. The state is on a mission to divert 50% of its waste from landfills through reducing, repairing, recycling, and composting. Last year, they achieved 41% diversion, but to make additional gains, the state has formed a new initiative called ReVT. ReVT will have a dual mission: first, to develop a strong coalition around reduction, reuse, and repair; and second, to create a network that supports practitioners and encourages greater participation. Projects such as ReVT are gaining ground across the country. Here in Fairfax County, VA, our County Library system and Solid Waste Management Program collaborate to host regular fix-it clinics – watch the Library Calendar for the next one scheduled.

Sri Lankan court orders owners of container ship to pay $1 billion in marine pollution compensation – AP News.com, July 24, 2025

This story is a bit of a “bad news-good news” one. Four years ago, a Singapore-flagged ship with a cargo full of plastic pellets and other chemicals sank off the coast of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. The ship spilled plastics and oil that spread across the water and nearby beaches, killing marine life and creating major environmental destruction. In fact, it was cited as “the largest recorded marine plastic spill in the world” by the judge who recently decided a case in favor of the Sri Lankan government. The judgement holds the owners and agents of the ship liable for the disaster and orders them to pay the Sri Lankan government $1 billion in compensation to help clean up the damage.