Recycling in Virginia

1. Recycling in Virginia

2. Recycling is Mandatory in Virginia • Statutory Authority • Waste Management Act, §10.1-1411 • Regulatory Requirements • Solid Waste Planning And Recycling Regulations, 9 VAC 20-130

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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/emails re: data)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 2012 Legislative Update • HB 1301, Item 367 #2c Waste Tire Fund • Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-1422.3 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

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

21. Questions? • Steve Coe Va DEQ, Division of Land Protection & Revitalization 629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219 www.deq.virginia.gov Steve.coe@deq.virginia.gov