Like a common problem in urban areas, Virginia Beach also experiences complex waste management issues. One of the primary concerns of this issue is landfill capacity. With the increasing population and consumption of food, medications, and other goods, the volume of landfill waste is also rising. Although this is a classic problem, the overcapacity of landfills cannot be underestimated due to the potential for massive environmental pollution. Considering this problem, there is a need for a resource recovery center in Virginia Beach, including the Virginia Beach recycling center, which can recycle recyclables into more useful items.
Instead of ending up in landfills, the recycling facility can be one of the innovative recycling practices in Virginia Beach to improve recycling rates, which is also a separate challenge. Not only that, but the presence of Virginia Beach recycling companies is also expected to become green waste management solutions to prevent illegal dumping, as people can send their recyclables to these sites. Additionally, recycling centers in Virginia Beach contribute to circular economy initiatives by upcycling used items into valuable materials.
If you are interested in contributing to circular economy initiatives in Virginia Beach or want to directly address waste management issues, you can start by bringing your recyclables to these top-notch Virginia Beach recycling centers. You can check the details and reviews of each Virginia Beach recycling center below!
Table of Contents
When Did Recycling Start in Virginia?
The initiation of a sustainable waste management facility and recycling in Virginia started back in the 1970s. This happened because, in those years, there was an increase in awareness and a movement to protect the environment, primarily related to resource conservation and waste reduction. Then, the Virginia Recycling Act was passed in 1989. This year, the government provided target recycling rates for localities within the state, including counties and cities.
For localities with a population of 100 people per square mile, the recycling target is at least 15%. Meanwhile, bigger localities have a more significant responsibility, namely, getting recycling rates at 25% minimum. These regulations are created to provide a level and fair standard regarding recycling efforts in Virginia. It also encouraged the development of recycling and disposal facilities in counties and cities in Virginia, including Virginia Beach.
Today, innovative recycling practices in Virginia Beach can be seen from the Virginia Beach recycling center that is increasingly popular in handling recyclables.
What Is The Recycling Rate in Virginia?
The recycling rate measures recycling by calculating the percentage of recycled waste materials from landfills. As we said earlier, Virginia has set a target for a recycling rate of 15-25%, depending on the average population of localities. But apparently, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) reports that the region managed to recycle around 57.9% of its solid waste in 2021. This percentage is roughly equivalent to 699,618 tons!
Meanwhile, according to a summary report in 2021, the state of Virginia can recycle solid waste by around 43.3%, far exceeding the target set. Of course, this figure is good news because it means the government can increase the residents’ recycling awareness. This achievement is also inseparable from the role of recycling centers in Virginia and other waste management efforts that help extend the longevity of your used goods.
Does Virginia Have A Recycling Program?
Since Virginia has specific targets for each locality within the state, it naturally has a recycling program that helps reduce the issue of waste in landfills. These recycling programs also contribute to waste management and environmental sustainability practices for the residents. However, the responsibility for statewide recycling programs generally lies with local governments in each city and county, meaning that each locality has its own recycling guidelines.
In general, local authorities provide recycling bins where residents can dispose of their recyclable materials. This program is known as curbside recycling. The bins are typically color-coded to differentiate the materials that can be placed in each container. Afterward, recycling crews collect the bins on scheduled collection days according to the subscription.
This method is applied in most counties and cities, including recycling and disposal of Virginia Beach. In addition to curbside recycling, Virginia also has recycling facilities owned by private companies. These facilities often offer recycling drop-off sites, recycling pickup services, and recycling centers that are easily accessible for residents to drop off their recyclables.
What Can Be Recycled In Virginia?
As you already know from the previous section, statewide recycling programs in Virginia are applied based on each locality. Hence, the local government has the right to set guidelines of their recycling facilities, including the acceptable items for recycling.
But generally, there are some common materials that are acceptable in most Virginia recycling centers, such as:
- Paper. Such as: newspaper, office paper, cardboard, magazine, paperboard.
- Glass. Such as: clear, green, brown glass containers (remove the lids).
- Plastic. Such as: plastics with #1 to #7 recycling symbols (NO plastic bags).
- Cardboard. Such as: corrugated cardboard boxes (dry, clean, flattened, unwaxed).
- Aluminum and steel cans. Such as: food cans, beverage cans, containers (clean).
- Electronics. Such as: old computers, laptops, TVs, and other devices.
- Batteries. Such as: lithium, alkaline, rechargeable batteries (usually available at recycling pickup or drop off and events).
Regarding recycling and disposal of Virginia Beach, you can include cartons, such as food and beverage cartons from juice, milk, broth, and soup. You may also request a 18-gallon recycling bin container service to accommodate your recyclables.
How Do You Recycle in Virginia?
Virginia submits rules regarding recycling guidelines to localities. Depending on the cities and counties you live in, recycling methods may vary slightly. However, recycling in Virginia generally applies to curbside recycling. It also applies in Virginia Beach city. This is the most common practice since the subscription is commonly included in curbside pickup.
But before that, you can check on the local authority that handles waste management issues. After that, check whether they provide such a program. Then, review the service if they provide a recycling program. Next, you can start your subscription and choose a Virginia Beach recycling schedule based on your preference and available dates. By having this service, you will usually rent recycling bins to sort your recyclable items.
In addition to curbside recycling, green waste management solutions in Virginia Beach also offer recycling drop-off centers. Some that you can try include Surplus Recycling and Empire Recycling. Here, you can send your recyclables and let the crews handle them. You will be charged some fees for specific materials and may get some pennies for selling them.
Virginia Beach Recycling Center
As the name implies, Virginia Beach is a coastal city in Virginia state, USA. Although the population is not very large, around 460 thousand people, this city is popular with its 3-mile boardwalk along the beach. Not only that, it has a dense maritime history and is the right place for recreation with your family.
As for hygiene, Virginia Beach has a trash collection program that handles trash. It also offers recycling centers in charge of handling recyclables so they don’t end up wasted in landfills. Even though there aren’t many recycling centers, they work great in doing their job. No wonder they have excellent reviews from their loyal customers. For that reason, we have compiled the best ones with top-notch services.
We also include details about each Virginia Beach recycling schedule and where to recycle electronics in Virginia Beach. Check them out!
1. Empire Recycling of Virginia Beach
Even though we have a website, we can’t find specific clues about Empire Recycling Inc. upbringing. However, according to the website, this Virginia recycling center has many branches through the states of North America.
Some of them include Cleveland Ohio, Kelford North Carolina, and Emporia Virginia. Apart from that, this resource recovery center in Virginia Beach also saves a top spot as the best recycling center according to their loyal customers on Google reviews, having 4.8 out of 5 stars!
Services
Empire Recycling of Virginia Beach is a scrap metal recycling center ready to handle your recyclable metal materials. Some of the ones they received were:
- Lead. Such as: lead and lead wheel weights.
- Stainless Steel. Such as: clean and dirty.
- Steel. Such as: cars, light iron, HMS prepared, HMS unprepared, rotors and drums.
- Batteries. Such as: lead batteries, lead batteries steel case.
- Cat converters. Such as: AFT catalytic converter, catalytic converter.
- Brass. Such as: clean, dirty, brass shell, brass turnings, CN70/30, CN90/10, monel, red brass water meters.
- Aluminum. Such as: AC coils clean, AC coils dirty, aluminum cans, aluminum insulated wire, aluminum radiator clean, aluminum radiator dirty, aluminum rims, chrome, dirty aluminum, EC wire.
You can check the price specifications for each material in more detail on the website. Sadly, there is no further information about other services offered by this eco-friendly recycling center in Virginia Beach.
Address
1040 Oceana Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, United States.
Website
Phone
+1 757-932-8037
Hours
- Sunday Closed
- Monday 08:00 AM – 03:30 PM
- Tuesday 08:00 AM – 03:30 PM
- Wednesday 08:00 AM – 03:30 PM
- Thursday 08:00 AM – 03:30 PM
- Friday 08:00 AM – 03:30 PM
- Saturday 08:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Rating by Google
4.8 of 5 Stars.
Users Review
Here are some customer summary about the Empire Recycling of Virginia Beach service:
- “Very great place to sell your scrap metal, very knowledgeable people and always there to give you a hand. Very clean place.” – Maria Chatham
- “I have been to many scrap yards and this one is easy, quick and helpful. The staff was friendly and even offered Ice cream to our crew. Bonus pineapple fresh cut at the countertop bar payment area. The bank they sent you to was friendly and easy to receive payment. I wish all businesses had things together like Empire recycling of Virginia Beach.” – Mike Nelson
- “Friendly employees, easy to navigate, and their bank doesn’t charge a fee to cash the checks.” – Sid W.
Our Reviews
The advantage of this eco-friendly recycling center in Virginia Beach is that the website provides detailed acceptable recycling items based on conditions and specifications. It also includes a price for each material which allows customers to predict how much money they get from selling the recyclables.
However, the website does not include details of services that may be available at the site. We also have no clue about the owner or history of this Virginia recycling center because there is no “About Us” menu that is usually available to learn about the business.
Question and Answer
- Question – “Do they have a crane to pick up metals and cards?”
- Answer – “Yes, we have the equipment to lift and process cars and heavy metals.”
- Question – “Do you accept appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators?”
- Answer – “Yes.”
2. Surplus Recycling
If your home location does not reach the previous recycling center, we recommend another Virginia recycling center that accepts scrap metal. Surplus Recycling is a scrap metal recycling facility that accepts a wide range of metal materials.
In addition, this metal recycling business also accepts lead-acid batteries to recycle. Unfortunately, like the earlier one, the website doesn’t provide information about the history of surplus recycling.
Services
Although it doesn’t include details about its upbringing, luckily the website includes a list of acceptable materials. This will make it easier for customers to learn about the services in case they wonder whether they have specific recyclables the recycling facility takes. The following is an example of a list of ferrous and non-ferrous metals Surplus Recycling will gladly accept:
Ferrous Metals
- Steel rims
- Car parts
- Water heaters
- Washers
- Dryers
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Rebar
- Cast iron
- Metal roofing
- Structural steel and pipe
Non-Ferrous Metals
- Copper
- Brass
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Aluminum rims
- Electrical wiring
- Christmas lights
- Electronic scrap
- High temperature alloys
- Car and industrial batteries
Beside those listed materials, you can also dispose of your lead-acid batteries in this facility and get some cash. However, Surplus Recycling doesn’t take household batteries, broken, cracked, and leaking batteries. In addition, wood, furniture, junk, computer monitors, domestic batteries, laptops, lithium or alkaline batteries are not acceptable.
Address
122 Mac St, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States.
Website
Phone
+1 757-499-2620
Hours
- Sunday Closed
- Monday 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
- Tuesday 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
- Wednesday 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
- Thursday 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
- Friday 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
- Saturday Closed
Rating by Google
4.3 of 5 Stars.
Users Review
Here are some customer summary about the Surplus Recycling service:
- “Old lady recycling some metal. D’Angelo did almost everything for me! Robert was very polite. Prices were good and service was fast! Close to everything, right off 264.” – Amie Mitchell
- “Currently paying the highest for aluminum in quite a while.” – Sidney Clifford
- “The guys who work there are very professional and helpful.” – Michael ONeil
Our Reviews
We love the fact that the website provides a list of acceptable items that you can bring to this recycling center. Besides that, it includes unacceptable ones which prevent you from bringing in inappropriate recyclables. And what’s more interesting is, the page has an FAQ section where you can check on some more information related to its services.
Unfortunately, there’s no pricing details to check on the web. In addition, the open hours are not flexible for those who work 9/5 on weekdays, knowing the facility is only open from Monday to Friday.
Question and Answer
- Question – “Can I recycle 20” tall by 28” wide aluminum panels for sale signs?”
- Answer – “Yes, we purchase this type of item for recycling.”
- Question – “Do you recycle steel bed frames?”
- Answer – “Currently 0.10 per pound.”
3. Virginia Beach Computer Recycling and Disposal
Apart from metals, batteries, and glasses, another material that is often a problem for the environment is electronics. Most electronic waste ends up in landfills and of course will pollute the environment. Hence, we include this recycling facility to recycle electronics in Virginia Beach.
As before, we were unable to find any information about the history of this cutting-edge recycling technology in Virginia Beach. However, all we know for sure is a reliable recycling site that you can rely on to dispose of your electronic waste.
Services
Unlike other recycling centers in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Computer Recycling and Disposal does not have an address. We don’t know for sure whether it’s not available or there is a lack of information on Google. But we bet that this facility is a recycling pick up service that you can order via the website. Thus, you only need to wait for the crew to handle your recyclable e-waste junk.
Apart from receiving computers and related devices, it also provides data destruction and security services. It will shred the data and software, as well as physically remove asset tags, ensuring the client’s security for private and crucial data. Regarding computer recycling, this cutting-edge recycling technology in Virginia Beach will recycle computer components consisting of plastics, metals, and other materials and turn them into valuable commodities for the industries.
Address
Not available
Website
www.virginiabeach-computer-recycling.net
Phone
+1 866-569-0951
Hours
- Sunday Not available
- Monday Not available
- Tuesday Not available
- Wednesday Not available
- Thursday Not available
- Friday Not available
- Saturday Not available
Rating by Google
4.0 of 5 Stars.
Users Review
Here are some customer summary about the Virginia Beach Computer Recycling and Disposal service:
- “Five stars.” – Dana Beaufait
- “Three stars” – Kinjal Singh
Our Reviews
Virginia Beach Computer Recycling and Disposal service is present as one of the progressive recycling programs in Virginia Beach. We appreciate the company providing a website that contains sufficient information for the potential customers to learn about their services.
Unfortunately, the website does not include crucial information, such as the address. We also don’t have clues about operating hours because we can’t find their recycling schedule on Google nor on the website. Hence, you are better off phoning them to find out more about the business.
Question and Answer
Not available
4. Municipal Center Recycling Drop Off
While the rest of Virginia Beach recycling centers we have discussed earlier, the Municipal Center Recycling Drop Off is handled by the local government. This recycling facility accepts various types of materials which are generally household recycling.
To enjoy this facility, you need to contact the local authority to learn about their services. But if you are unavailable to do that, you can simply make a call and get a brief of information regarding this municipal facility.
Services
One of the primary services offered by the Municipal Recycling Center is curbside recycling. This service is quite simple. You only need to rent blue recycling bins for $75 and arrange in front of your house. Then, fill the bins and wait for the crew to collect the recyclables on the scheduled day.
To determine your collection day, you can check it in the “Find My Trash” section on the website. The collection hours generally vary, but are still in the range of hours between 05:00 PM to 07:00 AM. Moreover, we have discussed the acceptable materials previously in the previous section, but if you skip it, you can check them below.
- Paper. Such as: office paper, junk mail, magazines, phone books, paper bags, newspapers.
- Cardboard and chipboard. Such as: unwaxed, clean, dry, flattened.
- Plastics. Such as: only #1 to #7 plastics, no plastic bags.
- Cartons. Such as: food and beverage cartons, including juice, soup, milk, broth.
- Glass bottles and jars. Such as: green, clear, and brown (dispose of the lids).
- Metals. Such as: steel, aluminum, tin food and beverage cans, clean aluminum foil, steel.
Address
2500 W Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, United States.
Website
www.virginiabeach.gov (alternative)
Phone
+1 757-385-4650
Hours
- Sunday Closed
- Monday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
- Tuesday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
- Wednesday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
- Thursday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
- Friday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
- Saturday 07:00 AM – 04:30 PM
Rating by Google
3.7 of 5 Stars.
Users Review
Here are some customer summary about the Municipal Center Recycling Drop Off service:
- “Tool in less than 2 minutes. The attendant answered all my questions.. even the ones that were answered by the sign. Great place to drop off recycling!” – Leanna-Paulette Luna
- “Staff was friendly and helpful. Drop off was just circling around the huge bin for cardboard drop off.” – Angela Back
- “I’ve never been so motivated to recycle. The employee’s jovial demeanor was infectious even though I came 10 minutes before they closed. It was super easy to drop off recyclables and the employee was patient in educating me on what can and could not go in the compactor.” – Trevor Hamlett
Our Reviews
This recycling facility may be the best for accepting various types of recyclable materials. Apart from that, it is handled by local authorities so its reputation is guaranteed. You can also easily subscribe to the service without having to drive them off to the nearest resource and recovery center in Virginia Beach.
The open hours are pretty flexible, allowing you to come on Saturday with the same schedule as weekdays. Just a little note about the staff’s communication to be able to notify customers via the website, for example, when the facility closes within the operating hours.
Question and Answer
- Question – “Do they accept CRT TV?”
- Answer – “No they do not. Bring it to the HHW section of the landfill (blue sign).”
- Question – “Does this location receive paint?”
- Answer – “No, it does not.”
Final Thoughts
Recycling centers in Virginia Beach play an active role in reducing the problem of waste that accumulates in landfills. Although there are only 4 recycling centers throughout the coastal city, each of them receives almost different items. This benefits customers because they have a definite purpose for sending their recyclables.
Meanwhile, the municipal solid waste recycling facility accepts a wide range of items, including some household ones, which are not allowed to private-owned recycling centers. We recommend that you first contact each facility to learn more about their services, knowing some do not have detailed information on the website.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Does Virginia recycle bottles?
Yes, the state of Virginia has waste management and recycling centers that include bottle recycling. It accepts various materials in recycling bins, including plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. However, the recycling services highly depend on the regions within the state, knowing the recycling programs are handled by each county or city level.
For example, Virginia Beach recycling rules include bottles and plastic recycling (but not plastic bags!). Progressive recycling programs in Virginia Beach also accept cardboard, cartons, aluminum, glass, and paper. The residents can dispose of those materials at recycling drop-off facilities, Virginia Beach recycling center, or subscribe to recycling bins along with curbside recycling.
Is recycling required in Virginia?
The state of Virginia has sealed recycling targets for the local governments since 1989. The figures they set for each region are in the range of 25%. However, smaller localities with a population of less than 100 people per square mile are allowed to have only 15% of recycling rates.
With this decision, it is clear that recycling is required in Virginia. Therefore, the existence of a recycling facility that offers various recycling services for the residents is an integral part of waste management. Since then, more and more recycling companies have sprung up around the cities within the state. They generally provide disposal facilities, curbside recycling, recycling bins, and recycling drop-offs to make it easier for customers to reach their services.
Why is Virginia charging for plastic bags?
Starting from July 1st, 2022, Virginia will begin implementing a $0.05 cent tax on each use of plastic bags, which will be charged to shoppers at pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores. This is being done to reduce the usage and disposal of plastic bags, which often end up in landfills.
The money collected from this tax will be utilized for litter and pollution mitigation, supporting environmental cleanup, and funding environmental education efforts. Consequently, the recycling rules in Virginia Beach also currently enforce a similar policy by not accepting plastic bags at plastic recycling and sustainable waste management facilities located throughout the city.