Information released by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says that more than half of the cities and counties in the state have failed to meet the mandatory recycling rate of 25 percent, according to a report in the Virginia Pilot (Norfolk, Va.).
According to the report, the Eastern Shore and other rural areas lag furthest behind, while Richmond achieved the highest recycling rate in 2004 at 44.6 percent.
Northhampton County on the Eastern Shore came in at the lowest rate at 1.6 percent.
According to the report, the statewide percentage has fallen for three years, reaching its lowest point in 2004 at 29.8 percent.
A bill has been proposed that would lower the mandatory rate to 15 percent and change the 25 percent rate to a voluntary “target rate,” according to the report.
Some environmentalists and recycling advocates have voiced opposition to the bill, describing it as regressive.
Another bill has been proposed that would split the system and allow less populated counties and those with high unemployment rates to maintain a 15 percent recycling minimum.