In Church Hill, Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) crews make their way to the alley, picking up large green bins with blue tops and ensuring what’s in those bins is acceptable “Recycling is not trash. Some people use those terms interchangeably, but for us, recycling is definitely not trash. For us, recycling has a value,” said Julie Buchanan, CVWMA Public Relations Coordinator. Recycling officials say they already have to trash between 10% and 15% of what comes in, so they want you to double-check what you’re putting in the can.
Crews say they’re finding plastic bags, Styrofoam, cords and food waste, which are not recyclable. So now they’re putting “OOPS!” stickers on bins and not collecting them. The sticker tells you the problem and what needs to be taken out. “The driver will mark that on the sticker. There’s six or so items on there that the driver can pinpoint,” said Buchanan.
About 200 recycling carts in Jackson Ward, Monroe Ward and Carver were not collected last week because they were too full of trash. “If you clear that out of your container and it’s all good the next time we come by, we will collect it,” said Buchanan. Recycling officials say disruptions in the process can lead to higher costs, delays and fewer items being fully recycled.