Central Virginia Recycled 58.6% of its Solid Waste in 2024

May 23, 2025 | Published by Julie Buchanan

Yard and wood waste is consistently one of the top materials recycled each year in the Central Virginia region. The waste is chipped into mulch-type product that is reused in the landscape.

RICHMOND, VA — The Central Virginia region recycled 623,451 tons, or 58.6%, of its solid waste in 2024, according to the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

Yard and wood waste, which is composted or chipped into mulch, was the top recycled material in 2024, with 240,501 tons.

Metal made up 174,545 tons.

Cardboard, paper, cans, bottles and containers accounted for 150,181 tons.

The authority is required to calculate the regional recycling rate each year and submit a report to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

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.

Virginia requires the region to recycle at least 25% of its solid waste each year. In 2023, the regional recycling rate was 58.1%.

The statewide recycling rate in 2023 (the most recent available) was 42.5%.

More information on statewide recycling activity is available at DEQ’s website.

The recycling rate is calculated by dividing the amount recycled in the region by the amount of trash generated. CVWMA uses a national estimate of 4.9 pounds of trash per person per day, multiplied by the region’s population of 1.29 million, to estimate total trash.

CVWMA collects data for the regional recycling rate from its own residential recycling programs and from businesses that provide information voluntarily.

For more information, including monthly reports on CVWMA’s residential programs, visit www.cvwma.com/cvwma-data-center/.

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Category: News