Waste Reduction Policies

Introduction

Our overarching goal is ambitious but necessary: to reduce Richmond's overall landfill waste by 25% by 2030, while advancing environmental justice and creating economic benefits for all residents.

Single-use plastics have a devastating impact on both our environment and city infrastructure:

  • Plastic waste is a significant contributor to drain blockages throughout Richmond.

  • Plastic products break down into microplastics that enter the James River watershed.

  • Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) regularly responds to plastic waste clogs in City stormwater infrastructure following heavy rainfall events.

These impacts disproportionately affect lower-income communities, making this not just an environmental issue but an equity issue as well.

The Richmond Office of Sustainability is working to implement actions from the Waste Reduction & Recovery Pathway of the RVAgreen 2050 plan. These waste reduction actions are aimed at reducing Richmond’s landfill waste by eliminating some of the most preventable waste at the source: disposable plastic bags, styrofoam containers, and party balloons.

Single-use plastic bags clog storm drains, jam recycling equipment, and release microplastics into our air and water.

Learn more about our Waste Reduction initiatives:

Disposable Plastic Bag Fee

Plastic bag fees play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of single-use plastics by reducing dependence while funding environmental education and waste reduction efforts. Currently, ten Virginia localities have adopted disposable plastic bag taxes in line with Commonwealth legislation passed in 2020. Based on peer-city analysis, the average annual tax burden on residents would be approximately $2.12 per person and generate approximately $400,000 in revenue.

What type of bags are subject?

Disposable plastic bags provided to shoppers in grocery stores, convenience stores, or pharmacies. The five-cent per bag fee applies whether the bags are provided to the customer free of charge, or if the store charges the customer for the bags.

What does this fund?

Revenue generated will fund environmental cleanups, environmental and recycling education programs, or providing reusable bags to recipients of SNAP/WIC benefit.

Implementation Timeline

  • March to July 2025: City Council Adoption Process (includes public hearing)

  • July to December 2025: Business and Community Engagement Period

  • January 2026: Disposable Plastic Bag Tax Collection Starts

Resources

  • Flyer for Businesses (PDF)

A polystyrene ban aims to curb the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam. EPS is notoriously difficult to recycle, leading to its accumulation in landfills and in natural environments, where it breaks down into microplastics that contaminate soil and water. Our local implementation strategy focuses on education and enforcement coordination:

  • Business outreach to food vendors in partnership with the Department of Economic Development

  • Enforcement will be managed by the state, with support from our Citywide Code Enforcement team who will provide ongoing compliance reminders to our restaurant community.

Polystyrene Ban for Food Vendors

Implementation Timeline

  • July 1, 2025: Polystyrene banned for food vendors with 20+ locations statewide

  • July 1, 2026: Polystyrene banned for all food vendors

Exemptions

State may grant an exemption if food vendor provides evidence of “undue economic hardship”.

Resources:

• VA Code § 10.1-1424.3. Expanded polystyrene food service containers prohibited.

Balloon Release Ban

Released balloons often travel long distances, eventually landing in forests, rivers, and other natural habitats where they harm animals and ecosystems. Communities can reduce preventable plastic pollution and safeguard vulnerable ecosystems by banning balloon releases.

A balloon release ban has been in effect statewide since 2021.

Our office will:

  • Conduct targeted outreach to balloon vendors

  • Provide educational signage for display at point-of-sale locations

  • Help inform consumers about the prohibition of balloon releases

Implementation Timeline

Statewide Balloon Ban is already in effect since 2021

Enforcement

Managed by State: Civil penalty for $25 per balloon, to be paid into the Game Protection Fund.

Resources