Learn, Act and Share on America Recycles Day, Nov. 15

November 10, 2022 | Published by Julie Buchanan

CONTACT:
Julie Buchanan, Public Relations Coordinator, jbuchanan@cvwma.com, 804-612-0557

RICHMOND, VA — The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority is proud to support America Recycles Day. Recognized annually on Nov. 15, the day is meant to encourage everyone to be mindful of their consumption habits, reduce waste and recycle properly.

CVWMA is a governmental agency that coordinates recycling and solid waste management services in 13 localities. Each is a member of the authority and appoints at least one representative to the CVWMA Board of Directors. Services vary by locality.

This year, America Recycles Day is focused on the economic benefits of recycling and the natural resources it protects.

The CVWMA residential recycling program is the authority’s largest and most visible program. It provides 275,000 households with easy, affordable access to bimonthly recycling collection.

“The authority strives to manage our waste so that it contributes to a more circular economy, versus the traditional linear model of ‘produce, consume and discard,’” CVWMA Executive Director Kimberly A. Hynes said. “As landfill capacity shrinks in and around central Virginia and throughout the U.S., recycling and other technologies that make us less reliant on landfills become more and more critical.”

Since its inception, the residential recycling program has returned $15 million back to participating localities, $12 million of which was returned in the last decade alone. This demonstrates the significant value of recycling and its impact, not only on local government budgets, but to the local economy.

Recycling and reuse activities in the U.S. accounted for 681,000 jobs and $37.8 billion in wages, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“The continued success of recycling programs both locally and globally is dependent upon viable end markets and demand for the material,” said CVWMA Board of Directors Chairman Robert L. Dunn (Chesterfield County). “CVWMA benefits from strong and long-established partnerships that supply these end markets with a large volume of high-quality recyclables. Anyone who recycles with CVWMA can rest assured their material is turned back into a product.”

From July 2021 through June 2022, Central Virginians recycled 42,000 tons of aluminum, steel, paper, plastic and glass through CVWMA residential and drop-off recycling programs. This material was sorted and processed by TFC Recycling in Chester, Virginia.

CVWMA also coordinates special recycling programs for electronics, household hazardous waste, textiles and scrap metal. Since CVWMA was formed in 1990, approximately 3 million tons have been recycled through the authority’s programs.

VIDEO: What Happens to Your Recyclables?

Special recycling collection events are listed at https://cvwma.com/events/.

Schools, neighborhood groups and civic organizations may request free in-person or virtual education programs at https://cvwma.com/education-and-outreach/.

For more information about America Recycles Day, including a social media toolkit, go to https://cvwma.com/news/ard-22/.

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Category: News