Virginia Reports 2002 Recycling Rate of 36.75%

Based upon data submitted for calendar year 2002 to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia localities’ recycling programs continue to work to meet and/or to exceed the 25% recycling mandate established in 1989. The statewide average recycling rate was 36.75% for 2002. As reported data indicates a variety of local programs with emphasis on collecting and processing the principal recyclable materials normally found in the residential and institutional sectors. Business and commercial sectors also contributed to the locality recycling data collected.

For calendar year 2002, Virginia reported the following materials collected and processed for recycling:

Commodity Tons Recycled Composition Paper 872,048 Includes newspaper, cardboard, white office paper, mixed paper Metal 570,871 Includes aluminum, steel Glass 134,447 Includes PET and HDPE containers, LDPE Commingled 72,580 Includes glass containers and other glass Yard Waste 66,280 Includes beverage/food containers and paper Waste Wood 540,282 Includes leaves, grass and other yard trimmings Textiles 361,565 Includes tree trimmings and recovered wood waste Waste Tires 23,206 Includes non-profit collections and material from locality programs Used Oil 55,888 Includes current flow and tire pile waste tires Used Oil 62,787 Includes Do-It-Yourself collections and commercial collections Filters 1,009 From commercial collections and DIY collections Used Antifreeze 4,915 Includes DIY collections and commercial collections Batteries 9,655 Includes lead-acid and household batteries Electronics 892 Includes computers, televisions, audio equipment and peripherals Other 1,365,689 Includes auto bodies, composted sludges, tree stumps, C&D waste, debris waste, and ash