Central Virginia Recycled 58.5% of its Solid Waste in 2025
June 12, 2026 |
RICHMOND, VA — The Central Virginia region recycled 655,076 tons, or 58.5%, of its solid waste in 2025, according to a wide-ranging analysis by the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.
Yard and wood waste, which is composted or chipped into mulch, was the top recycled material with 349,588 tons.
Metal made up 147,055 tons.
Cardboard, paper, cans, bottles and other containers accounted for 138,295 tons.
The region comprises the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, the town of Ashland, and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Prince George.
These localities are members of CVWMA, a public-service authority established in 1990 to help the region meet state recycling requirements.
“The regional recycling rate is an indicator of how much our region is recycling versus landfilling,” CVWMA Executive Director Kim Hynes said. “While CVWMA is pleased with the rate of 58.5%, the authority’s goal is to reach 80% by 2042. That will ultimately require more access to, and more support for, recycling, composting and reuse activities throughout the region.”
Exceeding state requirements
CVWMA is required to calculate the overall regional recycling rate each year and report to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The authority is one of 71 units in the Commonwealth reporting on recycling activities.
Virginia requires the region to recycle at least 25% of its solid waste each year. In 2024, the regional recycling rate was 58.6%.
The statewide recycling rate in 2024 (the most recent available) was 39.5%.
More information on statewide recycling activity is available at DEQ’s website.
How the rate is calculated
CVWMA collects data for the regional recycling rate from its own residential recycling programs and from businesses that provide information voluntarily. Some information from big-box stores and chains is publicly accessible.
A calculation set by DEQ is used to arrive at the regional recycling rate. The calculation divides the total amount of material recycled by the total amount of solid waste generated. Credits up to 5 percent of the annual recycling rate are available.
A national estimate of 4.9 pounds of trash per person per day, multiplied by the region’s population of 1.24 million, is used to estimate trash tonnage.
For more information, including monthly reports on CVWMA’s residential recycling programs, is available at the authority’s stats page.
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Category: News