RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmonders gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the third anniversary of the city of Richmond's climate equity action plan, as city leaders announced a waste initiative aimed at increasing recycling access. Laura Thomas, the city's Director of the Office of Sustainability, wh o leads the RVAgreen 2050 initiative, announced a new solid waste initiative, in partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW), on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU's Markel Center on W. Broad Street. Jessica Bell Brown, the executive director of the ICA, said the three exhibits mentioned support for the sustainability and equity plan. ‘A cooler, greener and more resilient Richmond’: City launches project to combat heat, expand green spaces “We have picked sustainability as our focus within schools," Brown told 8News. "[It is] part of the fabric of the ICA at every layer, in terms of the way we provide each year. We’re really thinking about the ways in which the ICA can be even more of a [greater force] for good and [serve] as a space for gathering, community and connection.” The milestone highlights key accomplishments over the past three years, including the completion of nearly 30% of the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan 2030. Officials also recognized community partners, including organizations such as the nonprofit organization Groundwork RVA, and praised a new generation of young advocates who are working to fight for a more equitable, healthy and resilient Richmond. Officials announce new waste reduction program As part of the push toward a more sustainable city, Thomas announced a pilot program to improve solid waste reduction efforts, which can then be implemented at the household level using smart technologies. The program will help the city expand recycling access and streamline collection processes across the city. Third anniversary of RVAgreen 2050 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU's Markel Center on Feb. 11. (Photo: Clare Gehlich, 8News) With support from the DPW Service Commission, the Office of Sustainability plans to form a solid waste subcommittee within the next month or so to help launch and support the new initiative, per Thomas. "We’re going to be working with those folks, those community members, to focus on all of these different initiatives on [the] solid waste program,” Thomas told 8News. City leaders, including Mayor Danny Avula, emphasize plan's impact City leaders also echoed the Office of Sustainability's commitment to a more sustainable Richmond, with Mayor Danny Avula emphasizing that RVAgreen 2050 represents more than a policy toward a more resilient city. “Three years ago, we launched this plan, and we made a really clear statement in that move,” Avula said. “It’s [not] just a plan on paper. It's the manifesto that reflects the experiences of our [lives].” Third anniversary of RVAgreen 2050 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU's Markel Center on Feb. 11. (Photo: Clare Gehlich, 8News) Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II, the new leader of Richmond City Hall, said recent severe winter weather, particularly the January snow, sleet and freezing rain storm, highlighted the importance of sustainability and equity efforts in the River City. Avula declared two separate states of local emergency last month for the city, while Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) declared a statewide state of emergency for Virginia. “That commitment and the way all of the parts fit together is just something that I found so special about today,” Donald said. “We’ve had an extraordinarily hard couple of weeks … in a storm that people didn’t know would be so difficult.” PREVIOUS: Mayor Stoney talks about building a greener Richmond during Earth Day briefing Advocate pushes for greener Richmond neighborhoods As city officials focus on policy and infrastructure, young sustainability advocates emphasized how local neighborhoods are affected. Melanie Del Pozo, an environmental advocate, spoke about her work with Groundwork RVA and the issues she has noticed. Last summer, under the blazing sun, Del Pozo said she quickly realized some neighborhoods have far more tree canopies than others. Richmond ranked most climate resilient city in the country by USA Today She was concerned about which neighborhoods have access to and can maintain green infrastructure, such as tree canopies. Del Pozo also focused on the benefits that come with it. During the celebration, Del Pozo explained that much of her schoolwork last year included waiting for the bus while she was under the shade of nearby trees. According to her, she wondered how many empty tree spaces were near bus stops. “Thanks to them, and funding from the 'Cool the City' initiative, I'm excited to share today that Groundwork RVA has planted 153 [trees] this winter all along bus stops,” Del Pozo said. “You’re [looking at the beginning] of this project, and I'm very excited about it.” The "Cool the City" initiative is a five-year plan to plant over a thousand trees across Richmond and invest in environmental workforce development. There are about 44,000 designated spaces in the city where trees could be planted, per a city tree inventory, Del Pozo said. Del Pozo conducted an analysis during this period that found that planting trees in about 2,000 of these spaces could offer shade and cleaner air to about 403 bus stops. “We’re getting closer to our vision and it was awesome to hear others talk about the shared vision that we have for Richmond — truly a place for everyone, sustainable and where everybody can join and [be ambitious] to make Richmond better,” Del Pozo said. RELATED: Virginia lawmakers revive climate education bill as weather grows more extreme What's next for RVAgreen 2050? Looking ahead, Thomas said the Office of Sustainability has several initiatives the team is excited to continue to pursue, including the "Cool the City" initiative with Groundwork RVA, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, Southside Relief and Happily Natural. The "Cool the City" initiative, for instance, is backed by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service, and is carried out in partnership with the city and several community-based organizations. Thomas said the sustainability office is also working to reduce residents' energy burden. The team is implementing what she describes as "a whole package of products and programs" to address energy costs in the city's East End. This could range from installing a 15-acre solar farm on a closed landfill to studying energy usage in Wyndham Court. Third anniversary of RVAgreen 2050 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU's Markel Center on Feb. 11. (Photo: Clare Gehlich, 8News) Their main goals, though, include reducing greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and helping the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts of precipitation, extreme heat and flooding. MORE: ‘This is not natural’: VCU expert links climate change to intensifying Virginia winter storms City officials said the work moving forward is focused on turning long-term goals into improvements that can be achieved tangibly, including the solid waste pilot program. Sustainability leaders said the work is ultimately about supporting each other and protecting the city's future, even allotting about an hour for Richmonders to get to know one another, with food and drinks -- with an emphasis on recycling and sustainability. Third anniversary of RVAgreen 2050 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU's Markel Center on Feb. 11. (Photo: Clare Gehlich, 8News) “We want to make sure we are leaving things better off than we found them,” Thomas said. ...read more read less