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1. Where will the drop-off sites be located?

Select each location to view a map of where to find the drop-off site at each location.

• Russell Memorial Library (PNG) - 2808 Taylor Road 
• Chesapeake Municipal Center (PNG) - 212 Holt Drive (West Parking Lot Between Albemarle Drive and Great Bridge Community Center. Enter from Shea Drive.) 
• Indian River Library (PNG) - 2320 Old Greenbrier Road (Old Greenbrier Road and Providence Road) 
• Department of Human Services (PNG) - 100 Outlaw Street (Outlaw Street and Bainbridge Boulevard) 
• Toll Plaza Road (PNG) - Cul-de-sac at 168 Toll Plaza Road (Chesapeake Expressway Administration Building) 
• Chesapeake City Park (PNG) - 900 City Park Drive (near Fun Forest)
• Deep Creek Park (PNG) - 437 George Washington Highway South 

2. What will be accepted at the drop-off sites?

There will be two separate containers at each drop-off location.  

Container 1:

• Plastics Number 1 and 2
• Metal cans (aluminum, tin, steel)  
• Mixed paper (newspaper, office paper, magazines, books, catalogs, mail)

Container 2:

• Corrugated Cardboard (shipping box material only) 

3. What is not accepted at the drop-off sites?

Anything not explicitly listed is not accepted. For example, items such as glass, yard waste, food waste, construction materials, hazardous waste, tires, household items, and electronics are strictly prohibited at the recycling drop-off sites, just to name a few specifics. 

4. Can I bag my recyclables in a plastic bag?

No. Please do not put your recyclables in the containers in a plastic bag. Plastic bags get caught up in the sorting machinery, causing damage and production breakdowns. Plus, the plastic bags themselves are not recyclable. Instead, we recommend transporting your recyclables in a paper bag or a cardboard box (which you can then break down and recycle while you're there!).

5. Does shape of plastics still matter?

No. The plastics accepted at the drop-off sites can be any shape or size but they must have the recycling triangle with a number of 1 or 2 on them. 

6. Do I need to wash my recyclables before bringing them to the drop-off site?

Yes. Please wash/rinse out cans and bottles before recycling.  

7. Are pizza boxes accepted?

No. Pizza boxes and other items that are contaminated by food should be kept out of the recycling drop-off sites. Please keep recyclables as clean as possible. 

8. Why are the accepted recyclables at the drop-off sites different from what used to be allowed when we had curbside?

Recyclables at the drop-off sites are being collected and disposed of by a different company, so different rules apply.   

9. Why aren't you accepting glass?

There is not currently a market for recycled glass. At the end of the day, recycling is a business. For every item that you put in the bin, there must be a buyer willing to purchase the material and make it into something new. Right now there isn't a market for glass. With our previous recycling contract, glass placed in the blue bin was sent to the landfill, crushed, and used as cover. Our new vendor is only collecting items that can truly be recycled.

10. Where will the recycled materials be going?

Each recycling drop-off site will be serviced by GFL Environmental. GFL Environmental will collect the materials and transport them to Recycling and Disposal Solutions of Virginia (RDS) for disposal and processing. 

11. Will these items really be recycled?

Yes, as long as we use these drop-off sites responsibly and do not contaminate them with non-recyclables, the items will be recycled as per our vendor's agreement.

12. How will the site be set up and secured?

Each drop-off site will have two types of containers: one for cardboard only and the other for mixed recyclables. The sites will be gated but will be accessible 24/7, except for the City Park and Deep Creek Park locations. The hours of operation at the park locations are sunrise-sunset. Security lighting and cameras will be set up. Signs will be posted to help direct users.  

13. How will you deter dumping of trash?

The success of this program relies heavily on the cooperation of our community. Each site will have 24/7 video surveillance, though we hope that is rarely needed. Dumping of trash in or around the sites is strictly prohibited in accordance with City Code Sec. 74-30. Violators face fines of up to $2,500 and/or confinement of up to 12 months.