Volume 26 | November 2025 | |
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The first RCon is in the books. It was an excellent conference and great to see several Old Dominion Chapter members present. With over 1600 attendees, over 200 exhibitors, field trips and tours, it was an excellent learning and networking opportunity. Next year's RCon will be held in St. Louis from September 29 through October 2, 2026. I encourage those of you who are able to attend. And next year's is closer than the 2027 location in Portland, OR. It is a great opportunity to learn about the latest trends and technologies impacting the solid waste industry.
The holidays are right around the corner and that is a good time to refocus on safety both at work and home. Some of us in Virginia have already had our first snowfall so remember to be on the lookout for slick roads and walking surfaces. The deer are on the move and with the earlier sunset can be hard to see when we are either working or travelling home. The holidays also bring many activities and family members together in the home and it can be easy to get distracted and take potential hazards for granted. From electric powered decorations to hot stoves and ovens it's a good time to remind family and friends about holiday health and safety.
After the holidays the next General Assembly session will start on January 14 and given all the changes it will certainly be an interesting session. We will be monitoring solid waste industry related legislation and will bring relevant bills to your attention.
If you would like to get more involved with our chapter, please let me or any of our Board members know. We have many opportunities at the committee level which positions you well to serve on the Board at some point in the future.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Michael D. Lawless, CPG, PG
SWANA Old Dominion President
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Save the Date
2026 Conference
April 8 - 10, 2026
Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Registration opens in January
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Full Circle: Virginians First to Receive Trash Carts Made with Household Trash
Residents of Central Virginia are the first in the U.S. to receive trash carts made with a one-of-a-kind material manufactured from household trash.
The material is UBQ, a bio-based thermoplastic made by a company of the same name — UBQ Materials.
UBQ’s patented technology transforms mixed household trash into a solution that can lessen reliance on conventional plastics.
About 3,000 of the new trash carts are rolling out in Henrico County, the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights and Hopewell, and the Town of Ashland.
The carts were made in the U.S. by Cascade Engineering.
“This partnership with UBQ Materials and Cascade Engineering demonstrates Virginia’s commitment to leadership in waste management,” said Kim Hynes, Executive Director of the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority. “We are proud to deliver closed-loop solutions that offer functionality to our customers while giving waste a new life and contributing to the circular economy.”
CVWMA, a regional public-service authority, coordinates trash collection in Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Ashland.
Representatives of CVWMA, Henrico, Richmond, UBQ and Cascade gathered at the Virginia State Capitol Oct. 16 to announce the partnership in a news conference. Also attending was Virginia Delegate Otto Wachsmann, who represents localities in Southern Virginia where UBQ is exploring opening a facility.
“I applaud UBQ Materials’ innovative solution that has the potential to change the world,” Wachsmann said. “Using UBQ to domestically manufacture trash carts for Virginians is a tremendous accomplishment.”
For more details, go to https://cvwma.com/ubq-carts
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New River Resource Authority Makes Community Outreach and Education a Core Mission
On October 21st, 2025, staff members returned to the New River Valley Fairgrounds for the annual 5th-grade Ag Day sponsored by the Pulaski County Farm Bureau and Virginia Cooperative Extension. At this yearly event, around 15 class groups of 5th-grade students rotate through a series of interactive stations presented by various local businesses and organizations. Many aspects of agriculture are represented, including livestock management, food production, and beekeeping.
At our station, students were presented with information about solid waste management, daily operations, such as gas and leachate management, and environmental safeguards.
Through the use of a slide show, we attempted to express the scale of our solid waste management site. With visual representations of daily tonnage, students were given opportunities to envision the collective impact of our region’s waste production. This was followed by an interactive discussion about strategies for post-consumer products. Using physical examples, we discussed recycling and reuse as ways to reduce the amount of solid waste that ultimately enters the landfill.
In addition to attending events and school visits, our organization hosts elementary school visits, licensure classes, training for government agencies, and organization conference meetings. Our goal is to operate in a way that provides transparency to the public that we serve and compliance with our permitting agencies. Through our efforts, we hope to provide consumers with the information needed to make informed choices concerning solid waste and environmental conservation.
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Pulaski County Fifth Graders Explore Agriculture and Food From the Ground Up
By Case Keatley
Fifth graders from across Pulaski County traded desks for dirt last week as they spent the day learning how agriculture, forestry, and food systems shape daily life in Southwest Virginia. The annual Ag Day, held at the New River Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin, brought together hundreds of students, FFA members, and community volunteers for a full-day exploration of the region’s working landscapes. From discovering the science behind livestock and crop production to understanding how trees become renewable resources, students experienced firsthand the connections between natural resources, food, and the tools that make modern agriculture possible.
Organized through a partnership among Pulaski County Public Schools, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Pulaski County Farm Bureau, the event gave students a chance to see how agriculture extends far beyond farms and fields.
“With less than 2% of our population involved in agriculture, it is critical that we tell the story of where our food comes from,” said Morgan Paulette, Pulaski County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, who led the Virginia farm and agricultural product station. “Interacting with students about local and Virginia agriculture, and seeing their excitement, is one of my favorite parts of the job.”
Students rotated through a variety of interactive stations led by local farmers, Extension staff, and high school agriculture students. Topics included beef and dairy production, poultry, small ruminants, forestry, beekeeping, horticulture, soil and water conservation, tractor and equipment safety, and wildlife. One stop focused on nutrition and healthy living, where students learned about USDA’s MyPlate model and how balanced meals start with the same grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables produced on Virginia farms.
FFA members from Pulaski County High School played a central role throughout the day, serving as group leaders and station assistants.
“My students commented that they learned a lot of important things, they want to get involved in agriculture classes, and they hope to do this field trip every year,” said Emily Harmon, fifth grade teacher at Riverlawn Elementary. “Each station was different, which provided students opportunities to explore new interests.”
Beyond the facts and demonstrations, organizers said the goal is to spark curiosity and appreciation. Agriculture remains one of the region’s largest industries, and educators see Ag Day as an early step in helping students connect local landscapes with future career paths.
As the buses pulled away from the fairgrounds, students carried more than just handouts and souvenirs- they carried a better understanding of the land, animals, forests, and people who make Pulaski County’s food and natural resource systems possible.
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Landmark Contract for Alternative Waste Disposal Approved in Hampton Roads
The Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) and Commonwealth Sortation will use new technology to cut landfill waste and boost recycling in the region
During its November 3 meeting, the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) Board of Directors approved a contract with Commonwealth Sortation LLC, an affiliate of AMP Robotics Corporation (together, AMP), that invests $200 million in waste management services and technology for SPSA’s eight member communities. This partnership will increase the region’s recycling and resource recovery rates and extend the life of the Regional Landfill until the end of the century.
The approved Alternative Waste Disposal (AWD) process will use cameras, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to sort recyclable and organic materials directly from the waste stream. The technology will more than double the region’s recycling rate, increasing it from about 7% to a guaranteed 20%. View a factsheet about AWD.
Under the contract, half of the waste SPSA brings to the AMP facilities must be diverted from the landfill through recycling and organics processing. Of the materials diverted, 20% will be recyclable materials (such as plastics and metals) and 30% will be organics (like food and yard waste).
“We’re here for the communities we serve, and we’re dedicated to providing high-quality and transparent waste management services,” said Dennis Bagley, executive director of SPSA. “This agreement reflects almost two years of deliberate work with our Board and City Councils so we can deliver real improvements to residents now and for years to come.”
Without AWD, the Regional Landfill would reach capacity by 2060, leaving no room for local expansion and forcing waste to be transported elsewhere at a higher cost.
“With this approach, we can double the life of the landfill and increase the region’s sustainability while supporting its growth,” said Thomas Leahy, chairman of SPSA’s Board of Directors. “All 1.2 million people who live in our member communities will become recyclers, and the organic waste they put in their bins will be repurposed into something valuable, with no extra effort needed.”
A SPSA waste characterization study was done in 2023, which analyzed residential trash headed to the landfill. The study found that over a quarter of the trash analyzed was recyclable plastics, metals, or paper, even in communities with curbside recycling programs.
Since 2024, AMP has been using their AWD technology at a pilot program in Portsmouth, processing 30,000 to 40,000 tons of waste annually and diverting roughly half from the landfill as recyclables or organics. The modular system will scale up within existing infrastructure as the program reaches full operation over the next five years.
The 20-year project represents a $200 million regional investment. AMP will operate and maintain the Hampton Roads facilities and provide half the necessary funding. SPSA will oversee those operations, including recycling and organics recovery, and fund its portion with the waste-processing fees it collects from member communities.
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Training and Technical Committee
The training and technical committees are combining to bring you a schedule of education sessions and tours.
We are soliciting additional committee members to serve.
Responsibilities would be participating in occasional virtual meetings to coordinate on technical issues and trainings to support the SWANA Virginia Chapter Board.
If you are interested or would like more information, please reach out to Ryan Duckett at Ryan.Duckett@geosyntec.com or (804) 486-1907.
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Welcome New Members
Michael Debroux Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA)
Wilfredo Diaz Prince William County
Katrina Entzminger City of Richmond - Virginia
Eric Hackett Prince William County
Jim Henderson Heartland Water Technology, Inc.
Caroline Johnson City of Alexandria - Virginia
Sean Lemcke Infrastructure Solutions Group
Joey Miller Whitecap Waste
Tarrence Moorer City of Alexandria - Virginia
Jace Morris Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA)
Joshua Owens New River Resource Authority
Chad Place Prince William County
Sloan Smith Whitecap Waste
David Snyder
Yinyu Sun George Mason University
Zach Trees Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA)
Theodore Tyler City of Richmond - Virginia
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