HD60 - Alternatives for Improving Waste Volume Reduction and Recycling Efforts

  • Published: 1989
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 80 (Regular Session, 1988)

Executive Summary:
The 1988 General Assembly adopted HJR 80, which continued the subcommittee established by the 1987 General Assembly pursuant to SJR 132, in order to further study alternatives for improving waste volume reduction and recycling efforts in the Commonwealth.

SJR 132 (1987) directed the subcommittee to:

1. review existing public and private waste reduction programs and capabilities in Virginia;
2. review governmental and private sector recycling programs;
3. review waste volume reduction potential in the context of overall Virginia solid waste management initiatives;
4. consider methods of assisting local governments in developing waste reduction programs, as well as methods of acquiring the cooperation of the general public;
5. make recommendations to improve waste volume reduction and recycling in Virginia and to promote coordination between state agencies, private and public organizations, private industries, and local governments in this regard;
6. make recommendations for incentives to promote waste volume reduction; and
7. coordinate with and develop recommendations for the Department of Waste Management.

The subcommittee made a number of recommendations in 1987 which were contained in its year-end report (Senate Document 22, 1988). Included in those recommendations was a recommendation that the subcommittee be continued for another year due to the complexity of the issues involved.

HJR 80 (1988) charged the subcommittee with the task of focusing its efforts upon particular issues, including:

1. incentives to promote waste volume reduction and recycling, including redemption values and recycling rates for beverage containers;
2. the regionalization approaches to solid waste management, including recycling zones and redemption centers for beverage containers; and
3. methods for the disposal of hard to recycle products such as oil, lead batteries, tires and farm chemicals.

The resolution also increased the membership of the subcommittee to fifteen by adding five new members.

The subcommittee met six times during 1988, including a two-day working session. Public hearings and business meetings were held in Newport News, Richmond, Fairfax and Abingdon. Prior to each public hearing, round table discussions were held by the subcommittee at each location and officials from surrounding localities were provided with an opportunity to discuss their jurisdictions' efforts and problems in the area of waste management and were requested to make suggestions as to how the Commonwealth could assist localities in promoting recycling and waste minimization efforts. The subcommittee heard from a wide variety of persons at the public hearings and business meetings it held, including environmental groups, local officials, state officials, and representatives of the glass, paper, plastic, tire, scrap metal, aluminum and automotive industries.