This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which hopefully means trash and recycling pickup. I say hopefully, because the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority has struggled to maintain its schedule due to a shortage of workers and has missed some pickups recently and had to reschedule. That said, as neighbors, we should do our best to help.

One tool that might help ameliorate the situation if pickup does not come is this online form:
https://cvwma.com/programs/residential-recycling/recycling-service-request-form/

Please go over what can be recycled. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

Update: CVWMA made this announcement:

Sunday Update: We expect a one- to two-day delay to most Red Week recycling collections as crews work to catch up from last week.
On Monday, Jan. 10, crews will collect Blue Friday. They also will collect some missed Blue Thursday.
We advise you to leave your container out until it is collected, if you are able. We will provide updates as we learn them at CVWMA.com.
Once again, the delays are caused by COVID-19 illnesses and weather from early last week. We realize this is an inconvenience for many and appreciate your patience.

In recycling news, with the new year, Virginia cities and counties can begin imposing a 5-cent fee for “each disposable plastic bag provided to shoppers in local grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.” The fee is an option that must be approved by local community leaders. So far, the cities of Alexandria, Fredericksburg and Roanoke and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax have begun charging the fee.

In international recycling news, the United Kingdom is digesting a new report on its recycling efforts. Defra, the British government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, published a progress report on England’s recycling efforts for the year 2020.