Fairfax, Virginia, closes recycling center

InsideNova.com, Leesburg, Virginia, the Northern Virginia Media Services website, reports Fairfax County officials have decided to permanently close the Blake Lane Park recycling drop-off center following repeated instances of illegal dumping, effective Sept. 15, 2016.

“Illegal dumping creates a health hazard, is unsightly, pollutes our waterways and requires extra collection services,” officials said in a statement, the article says. “Despite signage and monitoring, illegal dumping at the site has become a chronic problem, resulting in a high number of resident complaints.”

Officials say they have pursued multiple routes to curtail the infractions. However, the theft of on-site security cameras prevented observation. 

Weekly attempts to dispose of the illegally dumped waste cost the county around $100 each trip.

“Unfortunately, illegal dumping at the site has continued and has actually gotten worse in recent months,” said Matthew Kaiser, spokesman for the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, according to InsideNova.com. “Illegal dumping attracts more dumping, and despite our best efforts to keep the area clean, the site had simply become unmanageable.”