JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County (JCC) announced curbside recycling customers will see an increase in the price of service from $7 per month to $10.50 per month beginning with their August bill.
Customers who use autopay or bill pay will need to verify that their payment amount reflects the increase, the county said.
The county attributed the change to increased administrative and contract costs for curbside recycling, noting to make the service self-supporting, a fee increase was needed.
This is the first time the fee has increased since the program began in 2019.
The county’s podcast, This Week in James City County, addressed the topic on a recent episode. The podcast, hosted by Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer for JCC, included several guests from the county as well as the Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority (VPPSA) and TFC Recycling.
The podcast noted that county residents recycle more than 7 million pounds of recyclable materials each year, saving valuable natural resources and landfill space.
“Currently just over 12,000 customers recycling in JCC,” said Jo Anna Ripley, Assistant Director of General Services for JCC. “We want to make this program self-sustaining, so we did have to raise the rates. James City County, the community at large, we are great at recycling.”
Kathy Russell, TFC Recycling Education Outreach, explained how important educating and getting the word out about the programs are to the community.
“I can’t believe in 2024 that people don’t believe that recycling happens. It does! We have spent millions of dollars on equipment that sorts and images and tells it where to go,” Russell said.
Russell also said tours of the TFC facility are available for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to learn more about the recycling programs.
“Recycling is our best way to divert from the landfills, we have limited capacity in our landfills.” Jennifer Wheeler, Deputy Director for VPPSA, continued, “This helps preserve our environment and keep things great for the future, sustainable programming for our children and our children’s children.”
You can watch This Week in James City County via video or listen here.
JCC customers who wish to make changes to their recycling service can visit the website or call 757-253-6700.
