Mount Vernon RECenter Recycling Drop Off Set to Close

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Mount Vernon District Supervisor Daniel Storck said Thursday that many residents are concerned and disappointed that the Mount Vernon RECenter Recycling Drop Off is closing at the end of November.

Storck provided information about the situation from Pamela Gratton, director of Recycling and Solid Waste, Fairfax County:

In recent years, recycling drop-off centers have become targets for illegal dumping of old furniture, appliances, hazardous waste and other discarded items, and it continues to increase. Despite improved lighting, signage, and monitoring, illegal dumping has become a chronic problem, generating a high number of resident and local business complaints.

Operation of the unstaffed drop off centers has become increasingly complicated and costly over the past several years to the point that they are no longer viable, either economically or environmentally:

• Illegal dumping has skyrocketed to the point where at least 32 hours per week are dedicated to cleaning up illegally-dumped materials.

• Hazardous wastes are being left at drop-off centers creating potential community hazards.

• Illegally dumped materials have the potential to discharge into storm sewers.

• Community complaints about the unsightly conditions of the drop off centers have risen dramatically.

• Quantities collected at the drop off centers has decreased significantly over the past decade to the point where it is only one-third of the amount collected from all drop-off centers in 2002.

You may be unaware that the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) is not funded by the Fairfax County general fund; in other words, the SWMP receives no tax funding at all. Their revenue comes from the operation of two disposal facilities where users are charged to dispose of waste. As such, the SWMP must cover the costs of all of their operations.

In 2002, over 6,000 tons of materials were collected at the drop off centers. In 2015, only 2,200 tons were collected, making this one of the most expensive programs operated by the SWMP. Because county residents should be receiving weekly collection of recyclables at their residence, there is no need to operate the drop off centers anymore because everyone gets recyclables collection at their place of residence.

Fairfax County residents have a dedicated commitment to recycling as evidenced by the county’s 50 percent recycling rate that is reported annually, according to state code, to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The vast majority of the recyclables collected in Fairfax County are collected at residences and businesses in the county, not the drop off centers. Approximately 500,000 tons of recyclables are collected at the place of residence or business in Fairfax County, not from the drop off centers.

The SWMP hopes that if you have curbside collection of waste, that you will soon start to use the recycling collection service that is part of the base service level. This will eliminate any need for you to drive to a drop off center to recycle your materials.

For more information, please visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/news/recycling-drop-off-centers-slated-to-close.htm

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