Virginia Policy Poses Concern for Paper Recycler

In late April, ISRI sent comments to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development regarding a pending case to be reviewed in late May.

The case surrounds a local fire marshal’s interpretation of the state building code as it relates to the term "wastepaper" and the ability of a paper recycler to build a facility after a fire destroyed its previous one. If allowed to stand, this interpretation could have dire effects on paper recycling within the state.

Because the state building code lists "wastepaper" as a combustible material, the fire official declared that the new facility must conform to a much stricter part of the building code that allows a maximum of 100 lbs.of loose or 1000 lbs of baled material in the facility. This is striking as other parts of the building code have much looser requirements and cover structures such as paper mills which store material such as cardboard.

In its letter, ISRI questions the ambiguity which is prevalent in the building code and asks the review board to show some latitude when making its final decision.