PRESS ROOM

SPSA REGION TOPS STATE RECYCLING AVERAGE

(Chesapeake, VA, February 5, 2007) – The recycling participation rate in the six cities and two counties served by the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) reached 40.2 percent in 2005, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  The figure is from the most recent year for which statistics are available.
            SPSA recycling director Debra Devine says the volume of primary recycled material rose by 2 percent, supplementary materials by 11 percent and municipal solid waste decreased by 8 percent statewide. Primary recyclables include paper, metals, glass, plastic, yard waste, wood and textiles. Secondary recyclables include tires, used oil, anti-freeze, batteries, electronics, junked cars, compost sludge and tree stumps six inches in diameter or more. Municipal solid waste includes residential waste delivered to a sanitary landfill or incinerator for disposal.
            Statewide, the recycling rate was 32.2 percent in 2005 – up from 29.8 percent in 2004.  Forty-five of Virginia’s 74 solid-waste management districts reported recycling rates of 25 percent or more in 2005.
            Combined with the Peninsula’s 29.9-percent recycling rate, the Hampton Roads urban area rate was 36.1 percent, third-best out of eight in the state, behind the Richmond and Bristol areas. 

SPSA has been providing efficient and environmentally sound waste disposal services to the region and its residents since 1985. SPSA’s solid waste management system includes waste-to-energy, yard waste composting, drop-off and curbside recycling as well as other recycling programs, household hazardous waste collection, landfilling, landfill gas-to-energy and education programs. This integrated waste management system enables SPSA to put 57% of the waste it receives to a beneficial use, thus allowing the region to reduce its dependence on landfills.