Solid Waste & Recycling

We're On a Roll

Recycling Carts Coming to 95,000 Homes

The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) today joined officials from Henrico, Hanover and Goochland counties, and national partners to celebrate the first deliveries of new recycling carts to 95,000 households. 

The 95-gallon carts are being delivered to all single-family homes in Henrico County and households that recycle with CVWMA in Hanover and Goochland counties. The project represents multiple public-private partnerships and is the largest cart rollout in CVWMA history.  

CVWMA is a public-service authority established in 1990 to assist the region with recycling and solid waste management initiatives. 

“This endeavor is part of a broad, regional approach to increase access to recycling and provide residents with the tools and education they need to be involved,” CVWMA Executive Director Kim Hynes said. “CVWMA is proud to work alongside our many partners to implement this important step toward environmental and economic sustainability.”   

The carts are being funded in part with a $1.5 million grant from The Recycling Partnership, a national NGO advancing the circular economy by building a better recycling system in U.S. communities.  

“The Partnership, with support from PepsiCo Foundation, is excited to see these recycling carts start to roll out,” said Mari Long, Community Program Manager at The Recycling Partnership. “The carts will provide residents with more capacity to recycle more materials and keep valuable recyclables out of the landfill and as part of the circular economy.”  

In addition to the grant, CVWMA is in the process of securing a catalytic loan from Closed Loop Partners, a leading investment firm that supports services and infrastructure to create a circular economy.  

“This collaboration is a key part of our work to advance local collection infrastructure in the U.S., which we view as critical to building a robust recycling value chain and more broadly, a circular economy,” said Jennifer Louie, Head of the Infrastructure Group at Closed Loop Partners. “We seek to identify and finance projects like CVWMA’s to advance the transition towards a circular economy.”  

The carts were manufactured in the U.S. by Rehrig Pacific Co. They contain 35% post-consumer recycled plastic, with 10% sourced from the region’s own recycled #2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE), such as laundry detergent and shampoo bottles.   

In addition, the plastic from old Henrico County trash cans is being recycled back into the carts.   

Rehrig Pacific leveraged its co-injection molding technology to incorporate 750,000 pounds of recycled plastics into the Kelly-green carts, making the final product easy to distinguish and strengthening the CVWMA brand. 

The carts contain the highest amount of locally sourced recycled material in the country. 

“Manufacturing recycling carts from recycled content helps to create a closed and circular loop,” said Jonathan North, Vice President of Sustainability for Rehrig Pacific. “Residents should be proud of CVWMA’s commitment to using locally sourced recycled material that is now back in the region in 95,000 rolling carts, collecting even more recycled material.”  

Cart delivery is anticipated to be complete by June 30. Residents can begin using the carts as soon as they receive them. All recyclables must be placed inside the cart, which will lead to safer and more efficient collections.  

“This is an important milestone for curbside recyclers in Goochland County and our neighboring localities,” Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter said. “These new carts will not only provide our residents with greater access and opportunities to recycle, but they will also make it easier to contain material for pick up.” 

“We're very proud of Hanover's high level of commitment to recycling. These carts will enable residents to recycle more efficiently,” Hanover County Administrator John A. Budesky said. “By improving our community’s recycling habits, we can help keep the environment clean and preserve our natural resources.” 

“Henrico County is excited to provide 90,000 county homes with these recycling carts — at no cost to the recipients — and is grateful for the partnership of CVWMA on this initiative,” Henrico County Chief of Staff Cari Tretina said. “Recycling is an essential component of Henrico’s broader focus on environmental stewardship, including the use of renewable energy in county facilities and the launch of a reforestation program for our parks and schools. This is another investment in building a sustainable future for our residents and families.”  

Each new cart will come with instructions on what to recycle and how to place the cart for collection. 

Recycling collection with CVWMA is every other week. The following items are accepted: 

• Aluminum and steel cans 
• Mixed paper and cardboard 
• Plastic bottles, containers and tubs 
• Food and beverage cartons 
• Food and beverage glass bottles and jars 

More information about the new carts is available at https://cvwma.com/recycling-2023. 

Goochland County's Convenience Centers

Goochland County’s Convenience Centers are normally open Monday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for County holidays or other announced closures.   For more information on the County’s Convenience Centers please visit http://www.goochlandva.us/289/Convenience-Centers.