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DEQ director reports steady landfill capacity, falling recycling rates and progress on SWIFR-funded state solid-waste plan
Summary
DEQ's director of land protection and revitalization reported steady landfill capacity, a decline in recycling rates to 39.5%, ongoing work on CCR permit primacy with EPA, brownfields and voluntary remediation accomplishments, and projects funded by the EPA SWIFR grant including a statewide solid-waste plan and an online recycling reporting tool.
Catherine Perczyk, DEQ's director of land protection and revitalization, presented the director's report detailing permitting, compliance and program updates across DEQ's solid and hazardous waste responsibilities.
Perczyk said Virginia's waste-management universe remains largely consistent, with the majority of waste managed via landfill, about 10% incinerated and roughly 6% reported as recycled at permitted facilities based on calendar-year 2024 data. She reported a recycling rate of 39.5% for the Commonwealth and noted challenges in collection programs and finding markets for materials.
On compliance, DEQ completed 707 compliance inspections in the year reported (677 on-site and 30 record reviews) and saw roughly 82% compliance at the time inspectors arrived. Perczyk also updated the board on DEQ's work to seek EPA approval for state CCR (coal combustion residuals) permit primacy; Virginia submitted a package in June, received EPA comments in September, and is preparing revised responses.
On voluntary remediation and brownfields, Perczyk said DEQ has issued 515 certificates covering about 8,000 acres through the Voluntary Remediation Program and currently has 111 projects enrolled. She summarized SWIFR (Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling) grant projects funded by EPA: DEQ is developing a new statewide solid-waste management plan (planning horizon 2026—2046) and an online recycling rate reporting application to replace spreadsheet submissions. The draft plan is out for public comment through Dec. 19; DEQ plans to bring a draft final to the board for consideration.
Board members praised improvements in DEQ's permit-experience portal and faster turnaround on brownfields comfort letters. Perczyk's presentation concluded with logistical notes about the public-comment period for the draft plan and the timing for next steps.
Why it matters: the director's report summarizes statewide program performance, quantifies recycling and compliance metrics, and outlines implementation steps for a modernized state solid-waste plan, all items that inform local governments, industry and environmental stakeholders about near-term policy and program priorities.
What's next: DEQ will review public comments on the draft statewide solid-waste plan, work with its contractor to produce a draft final, and return a draft final to the board for consideration and potential adoption.
