CVWMA Region Recycled 58.1% of Its Waste in 2023

March 21, 2025 | Published by Julie Buchanan

RICHMOND, VA — The Central Virginia region recycled 606,689 tons, or 58.1%, of its solid waste in 2023, according to information gathered by the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

The authority is required to calculate the regional recycling rate annually 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.

The localities also make up the CVWMA member jurisdictions.

State law requires the region to recycle at least 25% of its solid waste each year. The statewide recycling rate in 2023 was 42.5%.

More information on statewide recycling activity is available in the DEQ 2023 Annual Recycling Rate Report.

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 1.2 million, to estimate the total amount of trash.

Yard and wood waste, which is composted or chipped into mulch, was the top recycled item in 2023, with 306,499 tons. Cardboard, paper, cans, bottles and containers accounted for 135,952 tons.

Metal made up 124,951 tons.

CVWMA collects data from its own programs (contracted with the private sector) and from businesses that voluntarily provide their information.

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

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