Solid Waste and Recycling

After a period of steadily increasing rates, recycling in the Hampton Roads region has decreased in each of the last two years.

Why is This Important?

Landfills are associated with odors, risks to air and water quality, and increased traffic by heavy trucks loaded with landfill-bound waste. Unless properly constructed, maintained and monitored over a long period of time, landfills can leak highly contaminated leachate into the groundwater and emit numerous and sometimes dangerous air pollutants.

One method to reduce the amount of solid waste accumulating in landfills is recycling. Recycling not only reduces the amount of solid waste and their negative properties, but also saves energy compared to producing the same material from scratch.

How is Hampton Roads Doing?

Base Recycling Rate, By Region, 2003-2008. Read text for explanationRecycling Rate with Credits, By Region. Read text for explanationAfter increasing from 29.7 percent in 2003 to 44.8 percent in 2006, the base recycling rate decreased in Hampton Roads to 26.2 percent in 2008 because of lower reporting participation and the closure of yard waste and mulching facilities. When credits allowed for solid waste reused, non-municipal solid waste recycled, recycling residues, and source reduction programs are included, the recycling rate improves to 34.9 percent. With the additional credits, the Hampton Roads region's recycling rate ranked fourth highest in the state but trailed the state average of 38.5 percent.

What Influences Solid Waste?

Reducing solid waste levels requires commitment from individuals, corporations, and the government. In the last few decades, greater emphasis has been placed on protecting the sustainability of natural resources, preventing contamination of the environment, and reducing excess garbage.

Base Recycling Rate, By Region, 2003-2008. Read text for explanation. Recycling Rate with Credits, By Region. Read text for explanation.

Data Definitions and Sources

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Annual Solid Waste Reports

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Recycling

Recycling: The Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Southern Crater Region, and Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority covered counties that were in different regions. These agencies were assigned to regions with the most number of counties in common.

Recycling Rate with Credits: The Virginia rate was adjusted for the 5% maximum percentage allowed for credits to the base recycling rate calculated by a solid waste planning unit.

See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.

At a Glance: Solid Waste & Recycling

Performance: Worsening

Highlight: The Hampton Roads region now falls below the state average in solid waste recycling.

Recyclable bottles
Regional Programs & Initiatives

The Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority (VPPSA) is a regional governmental agency established in 1989 that offers solid waste management services to the member cities and counties. In addition to regular trash collection, services include recycling, composting, electronic recycling and disposal, household chemical collection, and disposal of other wastes. VPPSA is able to save money and resources for its member jurisdictions by operating as one entity rather than each locality having to manage its own program.

Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) was created in 1976 by agreement of local municipalities and now disposes of waste on the Southside and Western Hampton Roads in an environmentally-sensitive manner, minimizing damage for current and future generations and reusing waste whenever possible by turning it into a useful product.