Regional Recycling

Rate Compiled for 2004

Central Virginia citizens and businesses recycled 45 percent of waste generated in the region in 2004, according to a report by the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority released today.

CVWMA, a cooperative government agency that coordinates recycling and other waste management programs with area local governments, compiles the annual regional recycling rate and submits the information to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  State law requires that localities recycle at least 25 percent of their waste each year.

The majority of the recycled material was paper, including newspaper, office paper and cardboard.  Nearly 160,000 tons of paper-related material was recycled in 2004.  Yard waste and wood waste which are chipped into compost or mulch comprise another 132,000 tons recycled. 

Metals, textiles, glass and plastic are also measured for the report.  Auto bodies, appliances, and assorted other metal items made up the nearly 21,000 tons of metal that were recycled in 2004.  Clothing donations to organizations such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army contribute to the textiles total of about 7,000 tons.

The recycling rate is computed by dividing the amount recycled in the region by the amount of trash generated.  The amount recycled is gathered from local and national businesses with programs in the area.  The total amount recycled for the region in 2004 was 374,000 tons.

The trash generation figure is an estimate based on national research.  The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that citizens create an average of 4.4 pounds of trash per person per day.   This is a decrease from recent years, when the rate was as high as 4.6 pounds.  For 2004, the amount of trash generated was 839,000 tons.

CVWMA recycling programs, including curbside collection and drop-off centers, contribute about 20 percent to the rate.  Curbside recycling collects 30,000 tons annually; drop-off recycling, about 5,000 tons.  Other programs, such as household hazardous waste collection, appliance recycling and yard waste collection programs make up the difference.

The regional rate has remained near or above 40 percent for the past several years, making central Virginia one of the highest recycling regions in the state.  It was 44 percent in 2003 (adjusted for hurricane debris which was excluded in state figures by DEQ), 39 percent in 2002, 44 percent in 2001 and 37 percent in 2000.  Variations in the rate are attributed to the number of businesses who provide information to CVWMA.  Contributions are voluntary.