By John Carlock, HRPDC Deputy Executive Director

Under contract with the Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia (SPSA), the HRPDC staff has completed the annual recycling rate report for recycling activities in the eight Southside Hampton Roads localities that are covered by 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.    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 September 6, 2011, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality advised the HRPDC that DEQ had completed its review and accepted the region’s report.  For Calendar Year 2010, the Southside Hampton Roads area achieved a recycling rate of 31.87%, which exceeds the state requirement.  Both total waste tonnage disposed of in 2010 and the percentage recycled showed a slight decrease from 2009, which, at least in part, reflects economic conditions.