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Recycling FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in Virginia?
Yes, recycling is mandatory for local governments (cities, counties and towns, or regional groups) in Virginia. In 1989, the Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation that set recycling rates for communities: 10 percent by December 1991, 15 percent by December 1993 and 25 percent by 1995. The current mandated recycling rate for Virginia, effective July 1, 2006, is either 15% or 25% based upon population density and area unemployment rate. Localities may adopt ordinances to require recycling and/or recycling reporting by businesses.
Where Do My Recyclables Go?
Recycling is a locality-based system in Virginia, meaning that recycling programs are managed by the jurisdiction you live in, and the materials collected may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The most commonly collected items in these programs include paper, metal, plastic, and glass. Other materials that may be collected include waste tires, electronics, used oil, carpet, appliances, and textiles. These materials, once collected, are transported to a processor who then bales, shreds or otherwise prepares the material for shipping to the end use market such as paper mills, glass manufacturers, and steel and aluminum manufacturers .
What do I need to know when I change my own vehicle motor oil?
Improperly disposed used motor oil can end up in landfills, sewers, back yards, or storm drains. In all these cases, soil, groundwater and even drinking water may be contaminated. One gallon of used oil has the potential to contaminate up to one million gallons of drinking water. Additionally, used oil that ends up in rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands can threaten aquatic life.
For more information on the impact of improper disposal of used motor oil and the recommended methods of collecting used oil for recycling and reuse, please refer to the American Petroleum Institute's Used Motor Oil Collection and Recycling Website at www.recycleoil.org. Information on Virginia's Used Motor Oil, Oil Filters and Antifreeze Collection Sites is available at www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/usedoil.html.
How do I manage or recycle household dry cell batteries?
Households generate a large number of used alkaline and carbon-zinc (dry cell) batteries each year, powering toys and other electronic items such as radios, flashlights, iPods, etc. These batteries are single-use batteries and may be disposed of in your household trash.
Rechargeable batteries may be recycled in a number of ways. Many electronics stores (Radio Shack as an example) may offer rechargeable battery recycling. Some localities offer household hazardous waste collection events at which they can acccept the rechargeable batteries. You can also order a mail-in collection box for rechargeable batteries from the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation by going online to (www.rbrc.org).
For more information on battery recycling, visit http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/battery.htm.
How do I manage or recycle household mercury thermometers?
Household mercury thermometers should be managed appropriately through recycling options in the community or through mail-in programs. Many localities host household hazardous waste events, and the contracted vendor may be able to accept and manage this material for recycling. Contact your local recycling program manager for this information.
When the new technology for temperature-taking, electronic thermometers was introduced, some pharmacies and hospitals hosted turn-in recycling events, providing coupons for discounts for the new non-mercury thermometers. This is no longer a common practice. Individual pharmacies may take your old mercury thermometers if you ask.
One program has been identified that will accept the household mercury thermometers mailed in quantities to its operation. The program can not handle individual thermometers, and the cost is in excess of $400. This might be something a local government can incorporate into its HHW events if the local vendor is unable to accept of manage the thermometers. Visit http://www.bethlehemapparatus.com/mercury-spill-kits.html for more information.
What allows localities to require the reporting of recycling data?
Section 15.2-939 of the Code of Virginia provides that "any locality may by ordinance require all nonresidential solid waste generators and companies that manage solid waste or recycle materials generated within its jurisdiction to annually report such nonproprietary information regarding waste generation, waste management, and recycling as is necessary to facilitate compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to 10.1-1411. Any report required under this section shall be based on volume or weight, provided that where such measurements cannot be accurately determined, the report may be based on carefully estimated data."
