State Agency Recycling

In 1989, formal state agency recycling programs began in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the initial efforts in which aluminum cans and office paper were generally the only materials collected, there has been significant program expansion. This activity is the result of directives that required all state agencies to establish programs for the use and collection of recyclable materials.

Historically, Virginia State agencies have reported an average recycling rate of 30 percent. Many agencies developed comprehensive programs to address the issues of waste reduction and recycling.  For example, in 1993, 14,554 tons of recyclable materials were collected, and 56,493 tons were collected for reuse. The largest amount of material collected was yard waste and corrugated cardboard.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of General Services work together to provide recycling and surplus property guidance information.

Information available includes market and recycling content information, resource information or referrals, program development and implementation assistance, and guidance concerning related state policies and procedures. Training is also available to state agencies on these topics.

Contacts:

Steve Coe

Phone: 804-698-4029 or steve.coe@deq.virginia.gov

Georgiana Ball

Phone: 804-236-3665 or georgiana.ball@dgs.virginia.gov

State Agency Recycling Legislation

(1) �10.1-1425.6 Recycling duties of state agencies

1. It shall be the duty of each state university and state agency of the Commonwealth, including the General Assembly, to establish programs for the use of recycled materials and for the collection, to the extent feasible, of all recyclable materials used or generated by such entities, including, at a minimum, used motor oil, glass, aluminum, office paper and corrugated paper. Such programs shall be in accordance with the programs and plans developed by the Department of Waste Management, which shall serve as the lead agency for the Commonwealth's recycling efforts. The Department shall develop such programs and plans by July 1, 1991.
2. In fulfilling its duties under this section, each agency of the Commonwealth shall implement procedures for (i) the collection and storage of recyclable materials generated by such agency, (ii) the disposal of such materials to buyers, and (iii) the reduction of waste materials generated by such agency.

(2) �11-47.01 Purchase programs for recycled goods; agency responsibilities

1. State agencies which are members of the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council and all other state agencies shall implement a purchase program for recycled goods. State agencies shall coordinate their efforts so as to achieve the goals and objectives established in subsection C of this section as well as those set forth in ��10.1-1425.6, 10.1-1425.7, 10.1-1425.8, 11-41.01, 11-47, and 11-47.2.
2. The Department of Environmental Quality, with advice from the Virginia Recycling Markets Development Council, shall advise the Department of General Services concerning the designation of recycled goods. In cooperation with the Department of General Services, the Department of Environmental Quality shall increase the awareness of state agencies as to the benefits of using such products.
3. The Department of General Services shall:
4. 1. Ensure that the Commonwealth's procurement guidelines for state agencies promote the use of recycled goods.
   2. Promote the Commonwealth's interest in the use of recycled products to vendors.
   3. Make agencies aware of the availability of recycled goods, including those which use post-consumer and other recovered materials processed by Virginia-based companies.
5. All state agencies shall, to the greatest extent possible, adhere to the procurement program guidelines for recycled products to be established by the Department of General Services.

(3) � 11-47.2: Preference for recycled paper and paper products used by state agencies

1. In determining the award of any contract for paper and paper products to be purchased for use by agencies of the Commonwealth, the Department of General Services shall procure using competitive sealed bidding and shall award to the lowest responsible bidder offering recycled paper and paper products of a quality suitable for the purpose intended, so long as the bid price is not more than ten percent greater than the bid price of the low responsive and responsible bidder offering a product that does not qualify under subsection B of this section.
2. For purposes of this section, recycled paper and paper products means any paper or paper products meeting the EPA Recommended Content Standards as defined in 40 C.F.R. Part 250.

(4) � 11-41.01: Petition Department of General Services for recycled goods and products; periodic review of procurement standards

1. Any person who believes that particular goods or products with recycled content are functionally equivalent to the same goods or products produced from virgin materials may petition the Department of General Services or an agency of the Commonwealth to include the recycled goods or products in its procurement process. The petitioner shall submit, prior to or during the procurement process, documentation which establishes that the goods or products (i) contain recycled content and (ii) can meet the performance standards set forth in the applicable specifications. If the Department of General Services or the agency of the Commonwealth which receives the petition request determines that the documentation demonstrates that the goods or products with recycled content will meet the performance standards set forth in the applicable specifications, it shall incorporate such goods or products into its procurement process.
2. The Department of General Services and all agencies of the Commonwealth shall review and revise their procurement procedures and specifications on a continuing basis to encourage the use of goods and products with recycled content and shall, in developing new procedures and specifications, encourage the use of goods and products with recycled content.

(5) � 11-47: Tie bids showing preference to products with highest recycled content and preference for bids from Virginia

1. In the case of a tie bid, preference shall be given to goods, services and construction produces in Virginia or provided by Virginia persons, firms or corporations, if such choice is available; otherwise the tie shall be decided by lot.
2. Whenever any bidder is a resident of any other state and such state, under its laws, allows a resident contractor of that state preference, a like preference may be allowed to the lowest responsible bidder who is a resident of Virginia.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B, in the case of a tie bid in stances where goods are being offered, and existing price preferences have already been taken into account, preference shall be given to the bidder whose goods contain the greatest amount of recycled content.