County Recycling Rate Increases to 47.7%

In 2025, Prince William County achieved a recycling rate of 47.7%.  The Prince William County Public Works, Solid Waste Division received confirmation by letter from Virginia Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) of the County’s 2025 Recycling Rate in September. This was a four percent (4%) increase over 2024 recycling rate and well above the state mandate of 25%.

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires each city, county, town or region to maintain a minimum recycling rate.  The mandated minimum for Prince William County is 25%.  Based upon the criteria established by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County greatly exceeded its mandated recycling rate again this year. 

The recycling rate is determined by several factors, but it is basically a measure of the materials diverted for reuse, recycling, or composting in the county waste stream.  While regular trash is buried in the County Landfill, diverted materials are kept separate, then sorted, processed, and converted into materials to produce new products.

The National Recycling Goal set by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020 is 50% by 2030.   According to the EPA, the benefits of recycling can be captured under three categories: Environment, Economy and Community, which include:

Environment, Economy and Community

• Conserving natural resources
• Reducing the need for new landfills
• Preventing emissions of many air and water pollutants
• Saving energy
• Supplying valuable raw materials to industry
• Creating jobs
• Stimulating the development of greener technologies
• Sustainable future for our children

“Our recycling rate is moving in the right direction.  With the help of county residents, business and trash and recycling haulers, we can better protect the health, safety, and environment of the community,” noted Renad Uri, Solid Waste Recycling Program Manager.

Of course, there is still work to do.  Prince William County residents are encouraged to recycle cardboard, paper, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, jars and jugs in their curbside bins or blue County recycling trailers.   The Prince William County Recycling Guide provides additional information, photos and restrictions. Residents can also use the purple glass recycling trailers at five locations in the County to recycle glass bottles, jugs and jars. And yard waste should be collected and set out separately from the trash March-December.

Businesses, organizations, schools and families can also seek new ways to reduce their waste by changing habits and shopping practices, as well as stay informed about new items that can be recycled in the community. These practices will help reduce the amount of trash that is disposed of, which helps save valuable space and extends the useful life of the landfill.   The Solid Waste Division also provides an  A to Z Disposal Guide to help residents determine the appropriate way to dispose of or recycle numerous household items.