Links & Information

Solid Waste Management Information

• Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
• Waste Tires 
• Regulated Medical Waste
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Prescription Medication Disposal 
• Disposal of spent peat media used in residential wastewater treatment systems 
• Recycling 
• Facilities that accept friable asbestos 
• Facilities that accept TPH greater than 500ppm 
• Facilities that accept creosote poles
• Asbestos Disposal Options and Requirements

• Hurricane Preparedness and Response: In Virginia, hurricane season typically runs from June 1 through November 30. Hurricanes and tropical storms may result in large amounts of debris and other solid wastes during recovery.  Preparations before hurricanes by citizens, businesses, localities, and solid waste management facilities will assist recovery efforts and restoration of normal services.  DEQ has developed the following information to assist both citizens and regulated facilities with solid waste issues associated with Hurricanes and associated storm events.
  • Emergency Debris Wastepile Permitting Criteria (pdf)

Solid Waste Permitting

• Solid Waste Guidance
• Submission Instructions (see IDs beginning with LPR-SW-SI)
• Solid Waste Active Permit Applications
• Solid Waste Management Regulations, 9VAC20-81
• Solid Waste Permitting Manual (Note: This document does not contain all associated attachments. If you require these attachments, please contact  Kathryn J. Perszyk, Office of Waste Programs, (703) 583-3856, to arrange to receive these materials)

A permit is required by all public and private facilities that operate a waste management facility. These permits follow federal and state standards to protect the land, water and air from pollutants. Virginia also has regulations for the development and implementation of local and regional solid waste management plans. The applicant should forward the permit application fee directly to the fiscal office of DEQ, Accounts Receivable, PO Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218. When the permit application is submitted, the applicant should submit a copy of the check and transmittal letter to the appropriate Regional Land Protection and Revitalization Program Manager.

Waste Management Facility Operators

Each permitted solid waste management facility in Virginia is required to have a licensed operator onsite to oversee the activities at the facility. Although DEQ has oversight over waste management activities in Virginia, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) oversees programs for the licensing of Waste Management Facility Operators.

For information on operator licensing, please contact the Board for Waste Management Facility Operators.

The Board of Waste Management Facility Operators approves training courses for licensing. They maintain a list of approved training providers (PDF).

For details on the requirements for licensing and the required training please refer to 18 VAC 155-20.