The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released its annual report on the status of the state’s recycling industry. For 2006, the most recently recorded year, the statewide recycling rate increased to 38.4 percent from 32.2 percent in 2005. Of the 9.7 million tons of solid waste generated in 2006, 3.7 million tons were recycled.
The data for the summary were compiled from the reports submitted by Virginia’s 74 solid waste planning units, representing information from 325 of the state’s cities, counties and towns.
The more highly populated areas of the state reported the highest recycling rates, recovering nearly 3.2 million tons of recyclables, or 86 percent, of all recyclables diverted, giving them a recycling rate of approximately 41 percent.
The report also finds that the percentage of paper, metal, plastics, glass and other "principal recyclable materials" recovered increased 11 percent from 2005. The percentage of scrap tires, used oil, electronics and other materials that was recycled increased 11 percent from the previous year.
Ten areas did not meet the state recycling rate in 2006 compared with 29 areas in 2005. The DEQ requires these jurisdictions to prepare a recycling action plan to identify necessary changes or improvements to their programs.
State law requires that most localities recycle at least 25 percent of waste generated. However, each locality or region with a low population density or high unemployment rate is required to meet a minimum recycling rate of 15 percent.
RecycleBank’s Presence GrowsRecycleBank has announced that its program has expanded from six municipalities in 2006 to 35 as of the end of 2007. The Philadelphia-based company now services more than 125,000 households and has collected approximately 40 million pounds of recyclables.
"RecycleBank’s rapid expansion reflects our commitment to the environment, market-driven mentality and proven program," Ron Gonen, co-founder and CEO of RecycleBank, says. "In December of last year, RecycleBank was in 20,000 homes. Today, RecycleBank is servicing more than 125,000 homes and expects to have 500,000 households under contract in 2008."
Michael Murphy, general manager of Republic Services of New Jersey LLC, says, "As a company whose core mission is to exceed our customers’ highest expectations, our partnership with RecycleBank was a natural fit. The tremendous success in Cherry Hill (New Jersey) showcases how a combination of incentive-driven recycling and a waste hauler with a strong environmental and customer commitment can work together to create a more sustainable community."
In December of 2007 RecycleBank added a new office in New York City to give the company a stronger presence in the area as it looks to expand its services throughout the country.
RecycleBank also announced that it has named a number of people to new positions. Matthew Tucker has been named to the post of president; Kimberly Crail, CFO; Frank Yang, chief technology officer; Morley Ivers, chief rewards officer; Tom Olson, senior vice president of ad sales; and Atul Nanda, president of RecycleBank Canada.
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