Authored by John Carlock, Deputy Executive Director

The HRPDC staff has completed the annual recycling rate report for recycling activities in the eight Southside Hampton Roads localities that are covered by the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA). These include Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, as well as the eight towns in Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties (Boykins, Branchville, Capron, Courtland, Dreweryville, Newsoms, Windsor and Smithfield). The Virginia Code and the Virginia Regulations for Solid Waste Management Planning require each city, county, town or region to maintain a minimum 25% recycling rate and to report activities within the area on an annual basis.  Historically, SPSA has been responsible for reporting recycling activities for its service area. Reported activities include both public and private efforts.

On July 25, 2012, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality advised the HRPDC that DEQ had completed its review and accepted the region’s report.  For Calendar Year 2011, the Southside Hampton Roads area achieved a recycling rate of 36.3%, up from 31.87% in 2010, which exceeds the state requirement.  Both total waste tonnage disposed of in 2011 and the percentage recycled showed an increase from 2010, which, at least in part, reflects economic conditions.