At Dweck Properties, our commitment to a healthy planet not only drives how we operate our buildings but also makes a positive impact on people in our communities and our region.  More importantly, we see sustainability as a mindset, with a culture and values that bring us together as a company, working towards a healthier, greener future for all.

Digging In & Giving Back

As a tribute to Earth Month, our team has and will continue to participate in community service activities focused on sustainable farming, community enhancement, and oyster restoration. We believe in creating welcoming habitats for people and for wildlife.

On April 9th, Dweck team members worked with the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture in Alexandria, VA, at their production farm, where we helped plant a pollinator patch. Pollinator patches are crucial for supporting local pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, as they provide vital food and shelter. These patches help maintain biodiversity, contribute to the health of ecosystems, and support our food supply.

On April 14th, The Gramercy partnered with DC Street Plants, a local plant pop-up shop, to sell live indoor houseplants and terrariums to residents. Indoor plants benefit both people and the planet, purifying indoor air and improving well-being by reducing things like depression and anxiety.

On April 18^th, in partnership with The Great Global Cleanup, our team spent the day removing trash and debris and beautifying areas surrounding The Park at Arlington Ridge and Rolling Brook Village.

Our team will continue Earth Month efforts into early May, when a group will visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to work on oyster restoration. They will be delivering oyster shells to oyster gardeners throughout the region to help support new growth.

The Dweck team will also work with the Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service on a hands-on project to remove invasive plants. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and removing them can help stop their spread and allow native plants to thrive in the understory.

Our 8000+ Residents Make All the Difference in the World

Taking care of our planet takes everyone’s participation. We are so grateful to our many residents who participate in our ongoing sustainability programs and events – all efforts organized by our passionate Dweck teams, including:

Donation Drive to Reduce Landfill Waste – Residents and Dweck team members at Quimby on 23^rd, The Cosmopolitan at Lorton Station, Annapolis Bay, ICON at Dulles, The Horizons, The Park at Arlington Ridge, and Crystal Square participated this month in our partnership with GreenDrop, a great organization that donates clothing and other household items to keep them out of landfills each year.  These items are accepted on behalf of local nonprofits, and the proceeds go to vital programs in the community.

Succulent Planting – At Crystal Towers, Crystal Flats, Quimby on 23rd, The Horizon, and Rolling Brook Village, residents will join events hosted by the Dweck team to pot succulents, which are simply amazing natural wonders. Did you know that succulents are drought-tolerant, reduce water consumption, and can improve indoor air quality by removing toxins?

Garden Club Launch – At Icon at Dulles, a Garden Club is sprouting, offering approximately 20 garden plots for residents to use throughout the summer to grow a variety of plants, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  Community gardens are a great way to improve air and soil quality, reduce reliance on long-distance food transportation, promote biodiversity, reduce water runoff, and improve water filtration in local areas.

Tree Planting and Green Garden – In addition to hosting a tree-planting event, the Crystal Square team and their residents are working with the Anacostia Watershed on restoration efforts around the Anacostia River.

Being Earth-friendly is not Just a Holiday, it’s a Habit

 There are several ways to reduce your carbon footprint, starting with small behavior changes to create long-lasting, healthy habits.  Below are just a few simple ideas to consider!

• Shop Local and Smart: Keep reusable bags easily accessible when shopping and reduce online purchases to reduce plastic and paper waste.
• Switch to Reusables: Switch to reusable cloth towels and sponges for cleaning in your apartment.  Less paper towel waste means fewer trips to the trash room!
• Make an Energy Transition: Conserve energy usage by turning off lights when not in use.
• Know Every Drop Counts: Reduce your water usage during everyday tasks like turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth and running the dishwasher only when it’s full.
• Shift How you Shop for Clothes: The average US consumer throws away over 80 lbs of clothes every year?! Check out these great tips to lower your wardrobe carbon footprint: https://www.earthday.org/toolkit-how-to-shop-for-your-clothes/
• Recycle Mindfully: Use the right bins for trash and recyclables — minimizing landfill waste.

Sustainable Habitats Through Technology

In 2024, Dweck Properties invested in new mechanical systems at Crystal Towers and The Horizons, designed to reduce energy consumption by over 25% for years to come. Read more about these initiatives here: https://www.dweckproperties.com/blog/sustainability/

And while innovations in building systems and construction are having a big impact on global sustainability goals, it’s the collaboration and activism of people that will drive environmental change and sound climate policy.  Mindful habits, neighborhood clean-ups, habitat restorations, and deep community engagement today power the more sustainable future of tomorrow.

Happy Earth Day!