Dive Brief:
- Virginia's Albemarle County and the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) have announced plans for a new $2.6 million transfer station on land at the existing Ivy Materials Utilization Center.
- The state Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) has said the current open-air facility, which was built in the late 1990s, no longer meets standards. The new facility will be enclosed and offer more updated features.
- SCS Engineering has been awarded a $118,000 contract for design and construction management. The new facility is expected to be operational by December 2018.
Dive Insight:
The RSWA was formed in 1990 to operate the Ivy Landfill and establish regional policy, though since the site closed in 2001 the authority's role has changed. Today, RSWA acts as more of a contract agent to provide specific programs for the county and the city of Charlottesville.
Most local waste is now managed by private companies. Residents of Charlottesville have curbside collection for most items, though other residents of the county must drop their waste off at the transfer station or contract a hauler separately. This new transfer station is meant to streamline the drop-off process and could eventually lead to a public recycling program for all county residents.
A recent report from the DEQ showed that Virginia continues to be one of the leading importers of waste. Imports increased by 3.4% between 2014 and 2015 which meant 100,000 additional tons from other states. While some states have taken issue with this trend, at least one DEQ official sees it as good business for Virginia.
