JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County announced it is taking action to improve recycling quality and reduce contamination in curbside carts.
Beginning this month, JCC will participate in the regional “Feet on the Street” cart-tagging recycling project, led by askHRgreen.org. The county said the initiative will provide residents with personalized, real-time curbside recycling education and feedback to help ensure only acceptable materials make it into the recycling stream.
JCC is one of several Hampton Roads localities participating in “Feet on the Street,” which will reach more than 32,000 households across the region, including select recycling routes in Newport News, York County, James City County, Suffolk, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The initiative is part of a broader three-year recycling education effort made possible through a $1.9 million EPA Recycling Education and Outreach Grant awarded to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the county said.
“We have to tackle the confusion around recycling head-on — and we have to do it together,” said Katie Cullipher, askHRgreen.org team leader. “Giving residents more access to information and better resources will have a major impact on the quality of recycling programs in James City County and across the region.”
The “Feet on the Street” campaign is made possible with technical support from the national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership.
Trained community-based observers will visit neighborhoods on collection days to review recycling carts and provide direct feedback to residents on how to reduce contamination. This hands-on approach helps ensure that only appropriate materials are recycled, improving efficiency and reducing waste, the county said.
“We’re excited to bring this initiative to James City County residents,” said Bob Dittman, Solid Waste Director, JCC. “Real-time feedback has proven effective in communities nationwide, and we’re confident this effort will make a real difference in improving recycling habits here at home.”
In addition to “Feet on the Street,” JCC residents can also take advantage of the newly launched Waste Wizard online tool, which provides easy access to local recycling and waste disposal information in Hampton Roads. Over the coming months, residents will see additional resources — including educational cart stickers, enhanced convenience center signage, and targeted communications — all designed to simplify recycling, the county said.
To learn more about proper recycling practices, visit the county’s website or askHRgreen.org/recycle.
