Recycling in Virginia

Recycling is Mandatory in Virginia Statutory Authority –Waste Management Act, § Regulatory Requirements –Solid Waste Planning And Recycling Regulations, 9 VAC

Recycling in Virginia Virginia solid waste planning units are required to maintain at least a 15% or a 25% recycling rate based upon population density and/or unemployment levels in the SWPU

Program Reporting Virginia localities, individually or cooperatively, are required to report on their recycling rates Prior to 2012 legislation, annually for all SWPUs With 2012 legislation (SB676), SWPUs with population with populations of 100,000 or less are only required to report every 4 years (2013, 2017, 2021, etc). SWPUs with populations greater than 100,000 will still report annually.

Recycling in Virginia Locality recycling programs vary based upon population, geography, and resources: –Curbside collections –Drop-off convenience centers –Special recycling events (eCycling as one example) –Many recycling collection programs are privatized, as are most processing centers

Recycling Rate Reporting for 2009 GREEN 25% or more YELLOWYELLOW At least 15% but less than 25% Bland Buchanan Dickenson Grayson Lee Russell Scott Smyth Tazewell Washington Abingdon Wise Wythe Bristol City Accomack Albemarle Alleghany Amelia Amherst Appomattox Arlington Augusta Bath Bedford Botetourt Brunswick Buckingham Campbell Caroline Carroll Charles City Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Craig Culpeper Cumberland Dinwiddie Essex Fairfax Fauquier Floyd Fluvanna Franklin Frederick Giles Gloucester Goochland Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Henrico Henry Highland Isle Of Wight James City King And Queen King William Lancaster Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mathews Mecklenburg Middlesex Montgomery Nelson New Kent Northampton Northumberland Nottoway Orange Page Patrick Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Prince George Prince William Pulaski Rappahannock Richmond Roanoke Rockbridge Rockingham Shenandoah Southampton Spotsylvania Stafford Surry Sussex Warren Westmoreland York Alexandria City Charlottesville City Chesapeake City Danville City Fairfax City Hampton City Lynchburg Norfolk Richmond City Roanoke Salem City Suffolk City Virginia Beach City Portsmouth City Newport News City King George Fredericksburg Woodbridge Harrisonburg Lorton Springfield In both 2009 and 2010, all SWPUs met their mandated recycling rate.

2010 Recycling Levels 723,000 tons of paper 667,600 tons of metals 27,900 tons of plastics 26,000 tons of glass 828,000 tons of yard waste/wood 17,700 tons of textiles 58,700 tons of waste tires 6,200 tons of electronics

2011 Reporting (draft information only) Sixty-seven (67) SWPUs have submitted reports (71 SWPUs) State base recycling rate, using data as reported but not verified, at 43.8% Report processing begins soon (expect some calls/ s re: data)

Recycling Markets Other than paper fiber, most collected recyclables are transported to processing facilities or manufacturers in other states With access to foreign markets, a large percentage of paper fiber collected in Virginia’s Tidewater area is exported to China

Recycling Remains Strong Recycling rates continue to move upward Recycling conserves natural resources, saves energy, and reduces pollution Recycling is a proven waste management option in Virginia

2012 Legislative Update HB 913 Solid Waste Management Plan; optional –Would have removed the mandate that a governing body develop and implement a regional or local solid waste management plan, making such plans optional –Passed by in the 2012 GA

2012 Legislative Update SB 676 – Recycling Survey Report –SWPUs or localities with a population of 100,000 or less are required to report at least once every 4 years. –The first reports pursuant to this Code change must be submitted by April 30, 2013 for the reporting year ending December 31, 2012.

2012 Legislative Update HB 1301, Item 367 #2c Waste Tire Fund –Notwithstanding the provisions of § of the Code of Virginia, $2,330,000 the first year from the WTTF shall be used for costs associated with DEQ’s land protection & water programs. –It is the intent of the General Assembly that legislation be considered at the 2013 session to permanently eliminate the (tire) fee.

WTMP July 1, 2011 – tire fee reduced to $0.50 per each new tire sold (from $1.00). –Revenue to the WTTF reduced by 50% in FY 2012 –WTTF transfer of $1.5 million to the general fund for FY 2011 and 2012

WTMP FY 2013 –Reduced fee revenue – estimated $2.8 to $3.2 million revenue for FY 2013 –Increased transfer of funds from WTTF, $2,330,000 for FY 2013 and 2014 –Reduced funding available for WTMP programs EUR, Tire Pile cleanups

WTMP Program funding options –Reduced EUR payment levels for FY 2013 –Reduced EUR payment categories for FY 2013 –Continue existing levels of EUR payments until funds are depleted –Eliminate or reduce funding for tire pile cleanups

2012 Legislative Update Litter Control & Recycling Fund –Budget bill proposed to transfer $191,250 (FY 2013) and $127,500 (FY 2014) from the LC&RF to the general fund –Removed from the budget bill – no loss of funds for local program litter prevention and recycling programs

Topics of Interest Food Waste Diversion –Food Banks and Food Pantries – recent EPA/DEQ Food Recovery workshop in Richmond – retail food market network –Animal Feed –Composting – UVA and VT programs, Walmart, BJ’s, Food Lion, Martins, Dept of Corrections (networking, hauler infrastructure)

Topics of Interest All plastics collection/recycling Plastics to fuel through pyrolysis (pilot project) Exporting tires to 3 rd world countries Renewed interest in rubberized asphalt options Increased tracking of C&D materials as reused/recycled

Questions? Steve Coe Va DEQ, Division of Land Protection & Revitalization 629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA