Virginia Statewide Rule

Virginia Mandatory 25 Percent Recycling Rate Requirement

Q: Does Virginia require households to recycle?

State law requires planning units to achieve 25 percent recycling but does not directly mandate household participation. Local ordinances may impose specific household recycling requirements within their jurisdiction.

Q: Which materials count toward Virginia's recycling rate?

Principal recyclable materials include paper, metal, plastic, glass, yard waste, wood, textiles, tires, used oil, and oil filters when diverted from disposal and recycled rather than landfilled.

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Virginia (2026)

Key Facts

Governing law: Va. Code § 10.1-1411
Standard rate: 25 percent
Reduced rate: 15 percent
Reduced-rate trigger: <100/sq mi or high unemployment
Regulator: Virginia DEQ

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

Summary

Virginia requires each solid waste planning unit to maintain a minimum 25 percent recycling rate. A reduced 15 percent rate applies to units with a population density under 100 persons per square mile or an unemployment rate at least 50 percent above the state average.

§ 10.1-1411 . Regional and local solid waste management plans. A. The Board is authorized to promulgate regulations specifying requirements for local and regional solid waste management plans. To implement regional plans, the Governor may designate regional boundaries. The governing bodies of the counties, cities and towns within any region so designated shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive regional solid waste management plan in cooperation with any planning district commission or commissions in the region. Where a county, city or town is not part of a regional plan, it shall develop and implement a local solid waste management plan in accordance with the Board's regulations. For purposes of this section, each region or locality so designated shall constitute a solid waste planning unit. B. The Board's regulations shall include all aspects of solid waste management including waste reduction, recycling and reuse, storage, treatment, and disposal and shall require that consideration be given to the handling of all types of nonhazardous solid waste generated in the region or locality.

Source: Virginia Legislative Information SystemView official code

Full Breakdown

Code § 10.1-1411 requires each solid waste planning unit to maintain a minimum 25 percent recycling rate for principal recyclable materials. A unit qualifies for a reduced 15 percent rate if it has a population density of fewer than 100 persons per square mile or a prior-year civilian unemployment rate at least 50 percent greater than the state average. DEQ administers reporting under 9VAC20-130; units over 100,000 population report annually and smaller units every four years. The Board may grant variances when market conditions make the rate unreasonable.

Violations & Penalties

Failure to meet rates triggers DEQ corrective action plans, public reporting of deficiencies, and potential loss of solid waste planning grants. Civil penalties may apply for failure to file required annual reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Virginia require households to recycle?

State law requires planning units to achieve 25 percent recycling but does not directly mandate household participation. Local ordinances may impose specific household recycling requirements within their jurisdiction.

Which materials count toward Virginia's recycling rate?

Principal recyclable materials include paper, metal, plastic, glass, yard waste, wood, textiles, tires, used oil, and oil filters when diverted from disposal and recycled rather than landfilled.

Sources

Va. Code 10.1-1411

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