Virginia Reports Modest Uptick in Recycling Rates for 2009

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued its annual report on recycling by Virginia localities for 2009. In releasing the report, the DEQ notes that last year was the first time since the adoption of the state’s recycling mandate that all localities have met or exceeded their required recycling rates.

Using data from the recycling rate reports submitted by Virginia’s 71 solid waste planning units, DEQ says that Virginia residents recycled 38.6 percent of the municipal and solid wastes in 2009. The report notes that last year’s figures is a small improvement over 2008’s 38.5 percent recycling rate.

The highest recycling rates were reported in the state’s urban areas, with an average recycling rate of 41 percent. For 2009, these areas recycled a total of 3 million tons.

The full report is available on the DEQ website at www.deq.virginia.gov/. It provides an overview of the materials recycled, the amount of waste disposed and a listing of the recycling rate reported by each solid waste planning unit for 2009.