HD33 - Annual Report of the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council


Executive Summary:
The Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council was established by the General Assembly in 1993. The Council is directed by statute to develop and monitor the implementation of a plan to strengthen Virginia’s recycling infrastructure and markets by improving the supply and quantity of recyclables available, expanding the capacity of collectors, processors and manufacturers to handle and use secondary materials and developing strategies to increase the use of specific materials.

In carrying out the charge that the General Assembly provided to the Council, the Council is to undertake the following activities:

1. promote and coordinate state agencies’ and authorities’ efforts to enhance markets for recycled or recovered materials;

2. promote the purchase of products made from recycled or recovered material;

3. identify and evaluate financial and other incentives which may attract new businesses that can use recycled or recovered materials generated in Virginia;

4. identify barriers to the development of markets for recycled material including existing state policies, regulations and procedures, and recommend alternatives to overcome such obstacles;

5. develop recommendations for the establishment of a regional or interstate marketing system for recycled materials;

6. encourage the use of uniform recycling definitions and standards throughout the state; and

7. promote and encourage public/private market development initiatives.

The Council has undertaken a number of activities during the course of 1996. In addition to thorough examinations of issues associated with the current recycling goals in the Commonwealth, significant discussions regarding the use and expenditure of funds generated by the waste tire program and the important role of partnerships between the local governments and the private sector, the Council has initiated discussion and inquiry with a number of organizations instrumental in innovations for the recycling industry. Those activities have taken the Council to locations outside of the Richmond area and hopefully provided greater insights to the citizens of the Commonwealth of both the existence of the Council and the important role it can play in shaping the policy and agenda for improved recycling opportunities.