2009 Go Green Virginia Regional Forum, Richmond
Round Table 9: Recycling
Brenda Creel
“Generating and Increasing Recycling Participation”
State Recycling Requirements:
 Develop and maintain 20-year integrated solid waste management plan
 Maintain minimum recycling rate of 25% of the total municipal solid waste generated annually
by city, county, town or region (certain localities or solid waste planning units may meet 15%
recycling rate)
 Submit data and recycling rate calculations annually to VDEQ
Benefits of Recycling:
 Conserves natural resources
 Reduces air, waterway and groundwater pollution
 Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
 Protects natural habitats
 Avoids costs to landfill and incinerate solid waste
 Generates revenues if commodities markets are favorable
 Creates jobs
Solid Waste Management Hierarchy (EPA: ranked from most to least preferred):
 Source Reduction
 Reuse
 Recycling
 Resource Recovery (disposal)
 Incineration (disposal)
 Landfilling (disposal)
Common Challenges:
 “Recycling programs lose money.” Recycling programs don’t usually turn a profit, but do yield
cost savings and often revenues. Many cities have saved money through their recycling programs
by lowering refuse collection costs by an amount greater than their recycling program costs.
 “Recycling ends up in the same place as trash.” In some cases, early recycling programs
outpaced the market demand, but this is seldom the case today. Recyclable materials are
commodities that make up a multi-billion dollar a year market and materials are often in high
demand.
 “Recycling is close to its potential.” On average, 28.5% of the municipal waste stream in the
U.S. was recycled in 2004. According to the EPA, as much as 75% could be recycled.
 “Recycling is too time-consuming.” Most modern recycling programs require minimal
preparation or sorting. On collection days, residents must set out the same volume of waste
whether it is in refuse bags or a recycling bin, resulting in a negligible inconvenience. (Source:
ICLEI Resource Guide, Recycling and Solid Waste Management, March 2008)
Ideas/Opportunities to Consider:
 Citizen Advisory Board or Commission
o Community advocacy
 Volunteer Block Captains
o Residents trained to provide leadership and information at neighborhood level
 Government Employee Green Team
o Interdisciplinary team provides policy and program leadership
 Single Stream Collection
o Increases convenience and participation
 Fee-based Curbside Collection
o Appliances, unbundled brush, bulk waste collected for a fee
 Types of Recyclables
o Prioritize high-weight, high-volume and high-value recyclables
 Leaf Mulch Program
o Curbside leaves processed into mulch and offered back to residents
 Composting Program
o Municipal and backyard programs
 Education and Outreach: Residents, Schools, Businesses
o Varied media: New resident packages, newsletters, government website, door hangers,
ad campaigns
o School environmental clubs, curriculum, field trips, food service
 Recycling Events
o Special drop-off recycling events
 Quantifying Results
Improving the Bottom Line:
Regional or market conditions may make recycling more challenging and less cost-effective in
some regions. If a preliminary financial analysis seems to favor traditional waste disposal
methods, consider additional measures to cut recycling costs and increase efficiency:
 Reduce the frequency of refuse hauling (if currently collecting more than once per week)
 Increase route efficiency or reduce the number of routes
 Upgrade equipment (dual collection trucks)
 Maximize participation levels and amount diverted through recycling
 Institute fees for certain recyclables (such as TVs, computer monitors and other products
containing hazardous materials)
 Institute pay-as-you-throw refuse hauling (Source: ICLEI Resource Guide)
Additional Resources:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) www.deq.virginia.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) www.epa.gov
Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Recycling Association www.varecycles.org
National Recycling Coalition www.nrc-recycle.org
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability www.iclei-usa@iclei.org