CAMPBELL COUNTY, Virginia — Recycling just became much easier for residents in Campbell County after local officials introduced a new single-stream recycling system at several waste collection sites, eliminating the need for people to sort recyclable materials by hand before dropping them off.
The new system allows approved recyclable items to be placed into one large compactor, where they are later machine-sorted by a recycling partner. County leaders say the change will save money, increase recycling participation, and help extend the life of the area’s landfill.
New Recycling System Simplifies Drop-Off Process
According to local officials, Campbell County has installed large recycling compactors at four waste collection sites, making it easier for residents to recycle paper, cardboard, plastics and other accepted materials in one location.
The upgrade was funded in part through a nonprofit grant, while Elite Recycling will handle the machine-sorting process after the materials are collected.
Officials say the same co-mingled recycling system has already been successfully used by Campbell County Public Schools, reducing the amount of manual sorting required before recycling.
County Says Program Will Save Money
County leaders believe the simplified recycling process will not only encourage more participation but also reduce operating costs.
Rustburg District Supervisor Jon Hardie praised the program, saying it has already proven to be an effective solution.
“That’s saving us dollars every single year. Whether our residents realize that or not, that is a very effective way of recycling and making sure that we don’t just dump things into a landfill,” Hardie said.
Workers at one of the recycling sites also noted that the new compactors provide significantly more storage capacity because they compress recyclable materials, unlike the older collection bins.
Recycling Could Help Delay Landfill Capacity Issues
The recycling improvements come as Campbell County prepares for the future of the Region 2000 Landfill in Rustburg, which is expected to reach capacity by 2029.
Officials say increasing recycling rates could reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill, helping extend its operational life. If the landfill is not expanded, the county may eventually need to build a waste transfer facility to transport garbage to another location.
Hardie said many residents living near the landfill are opposed to expanding the existing site, making recycling efforts even more important.
More Recycling Sites Planned
County officials say the program is starting at four collection sites, with additional recycling locations expected to be added in the future.
By allowing residents to place recyclable materials into a single container while leaving the sorting to specialized machinery, officials hope the process will become faster, more convenient and more efficient for everyone.
Highlighting the environmental importance of the initiative, Hardie encouraged residents to continue supporting recycling efforts.
“We have to realize that it is our duty to protect what God gave us with our planet and to pass it along to the next generation,” he said.
What do you think about single-stream recycling systems? Would making recycling easier encourage more people in your community to participate? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
