[Archived] City Council Approves Recycling Ordinance Amendment to Expand Recycling

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	April 6, 2006 PIO# 086-06/rdo	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

City Council Approves Recycling Ordinance Amendment to Expand Recycling

The Alexandria City Council has unanimously approved to expand the City’s recycling ordinance to require businesses and multifamily properties to recycle. The amendment will assist the City in achieving the state-mandated 25 percent recycle rate and implement goals set forth in the Council-approved Solid Waste Management Plan. The ordinance requires all commercial and multifamily properties to develop and implement a recycling plan; notify residents, tenants, and employees about recycling programs; and report recycling rates to the City.

The ordinance language was developed in part by the Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC), a group of stakeholders representing the City’s Environmental Policy Commission, Chamber of Commerce, the five major local business associations, condominium and apartment building management, private citizens, and waste haulers. The RAC members evaluated the proposed ordinance during five meetings conducted between October and December 2005. The Solid Waste Division also hosted two public information sessions in January to solicit public input about the proposed language.

Recycling Implementation Plans are not officially due until Jan. 1, 2007. Businesses are encouraged to download a form from the City’s Web site at alexrecycles.org and submit their plans to Recycling Plans, 133 S. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314.

For additional information on the new requirements, visit the City’s recycling Web site at alexrecycles.org and view the Frequently Asked Questions developed to explain the ordinance, or call Christine McCoy of the Solid Waste Division at 703.519.3486.

# # #