How to Recycle in Albemarle County (and Charlottesville too!)
The Solid Waste Alternatives Advisory Committee (SWAAC) has produced a series of videos to educate the public about recycling options and new procedures in Albemarle County. The videos discuss how to separate your recyclables, what facilities offer recycling services, and how to promote a healthy and sustainable environment. For more information about: Recyclables Accepted Recycling FAQs Composting McIntire Recycling Center Ivy MUC Other posts about recycling
Read MoreCurrent Challenges in Recycling
As the landscape of recycling continues to evolve, due to a change in the way China accepts recycling, Rivanna Solid Waste Authority will continue to look for ways to adapt and continue to offer quality services. Below are two interesting articles that explain how the new rules are affecting the US recycling industry: The Virginia Pilot: Curbside recycling programs face a challenge from China The New York Times: Your Recycling Gets Recycled, Right? Maybe, or Maybe Not Click here more information about what RSWA does with its recycling.
Read MoreComposting in the City of Charlottesville
Happy Summertime, C’ville! Thank you to everyone who contributed to our composting program last season! Together, we were able to divert 8.48 tons of food waste from landfills, reducing the amount of emissions equivalent to nearly 20 cars in morning traffic!* This spring, lets continue to make Charlottesville, A Green City. Updates in the email below include: Two Compost Drop-Off Locations are open! Do you love composting and the City Market? Sign up to volunteer at the Saturday market drop-off! New Sticker Designs: Help us select some new designs to spread the word about composting in...
Read MoreWhat is “Source Separated Recycling” and where does it go?
There are three types of recycling, each with their own pros and cons: All-In-One: All trash and recyclables are disposed of in one container with no separation. This material then proceeds to a sorting facility to sort out the recyclables. Pros: Requires no active participation from the user and is the most convenient. Cons: The potential for contamination is extremely high, due to co-mingling with trash, and contaminated materials require extra processing or are rejected and sent to landfills. Single Stream: All recyclables, regardless of...
Read MoreComposting at Ivy MUC
Composting of household food waste is now available at the Ivy Material Utilization Center. The food waste is collected by Black Bear Composting (BBC); they turn the collected food waste into compost at their commercial composting facility in Crimora, VA. BBC’s services are contracted and paid for by RSWA. This service is free to residents and is located in the Citizens Convenience Center area. Businesses will be charged the $178 per ton composting tipping fee and will be required to drive over the scales into the Transfer Station. Compostable food waste from households is accepted in...
Read MorePlastic Bags Get a New Life
With plastic bags continuing to be an environmental concern, Rivanna Solid Waste Authority is doing its part to help. Plastic bags that were collected throughout the previous year at McIntire Recycling Center were transported to the Trex company in Winchester, VA in February 2018. In total, 41,000 lbs of plastic bags were baled and shipped for recycling. To put this in perspective, One pound equals 700 bags 28,700,000 bags were taken to be recycled into composite decking According to the Trex website, a 500 square foot composite deck contains 140,000 recycled bags 205 500-sq. ft. decks can...
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