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Two Arlington Initiatives Earn State AwardsArlington County has been awarded two Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) 2025 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. Arlington was recognized for a pair of programs: On-Street Food Scraps Collection Program for Multi-Family Building Residents and Next Generation 9-1-1. VACo received a record 155 submissions and selected 57 winners. Winning entries focused on addressing issues of public safety, community development, and health, as well as finding solutions to challenges that counties encounter daily. On-Street Food Scraps Collection Program for Multi-Family Building Residents The On-street Food Scraps Collection for Multi-family Building Residents program aims to reduce the amount of food waste in the trash stream by creating a system which allows residents in apartment buildings and condos to participate in food scraps diversion by providing collection sites located in high-density multi-family areas. These sites, located conveniently around the county, are equipped with smart collection bins specifically for food scraps. Residents can dispose of food scraps and food soiled paper items, which are then collected and processed into compost. The program helps reduce landfill waste and supports Arlington’s zero waste and sustainability goals by making food scraps diversion accessible to multi-family households. There are now 24 collection sites, including 10 that were added in August. The program has been highly successful, already diverting 131,500 pounds (65.75 tons) of food scraps from July 9, 2024 – August 5, 2025. That’s roughly the weight of a fully loaded semi-truck. Learn more about the Food Scraps Collection program. Next Generation 9-1-1Arlington County's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) implemented the Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative to address and reduce the overwhelming volume of non-emergency calls, which accounted for over 70% of total calls in 2022. This modernization effort integrates artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and strategic partnerships to improve operational efficiency and emergency response capacity. In collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the County developed automated workflows to categorize caller intent and redirect non-emergency calls to appropriate resources, allowing human dispatchers to focus on emergency call-taking and provide the fastest and most efficient response to the Arlington community. Partnerships with Autura, Priority Dispatch System, and Manpower, Inc. also enabled outsourcing of towing-related calls and hiring of remote call takers, addressing staffing challenges and enhancing service delivery. Between May 2024 and February 2025, more than 74,000 calls were redirected, resulting in a 54% reduction in total call volume and an 829-hour decrease in non-emergency phone time in Q1 2025. The initiative has gained national recognition and serves as a model for other jurisdictions. About Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement AwardsThe VACo Achievement Awards is a competitive program open to local government members of the association. Held annually, it recognizes local government programs in awards criteria that include innovation, cooperation and model practices. Winning Achievement Award Submissions | Achievement Awards Website | 2025 Achievement Awards Entries About Arlington CountyArlington VA., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 mile square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. Slightly smaller than 26 square miles, it is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and one of only a handful with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods and quality schools, and has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world — including the Pentagon — Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business. Media ContactDepartment of Environmental Services Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management Image
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