John Mitchell

The strategic plan aims to guide CVWMA through the next 20 years as a recognized leader in regionally sustainable waste management practices. It focuses on five key goals: increasing recycling rates and exploring alternatives to landfilling; ensuring positive customer service with 24/7 access; expanding educational services based on the Sustainable Materials Management Hierarchy; increasing access to recycling services for multi-family units; and spurring regional economic development opportunities through education and research. The overall vision is to protect the environment and foster regional collaboration in waste management for its 13 jurisdictions.

The meeting agenda included the consideration of resolutions for household hazardous waste collection services and the renewal of contracts for the acceptance and recycling of mixed paper and corrugated containers. Additionally, the board reviewed the 2025 recycling rate report, discussed the Virginia General Assembly legislative wrap-up, and received reports on operations, technical advisory committee activities, and public information outreach programs. The meeting also addressed financial reports and administrative updates.

The Board of Directors meeting addressed several administrative and operational agenda items, including reports from the Nominating, Audit, and Operations and Technical Advisory Committees. Key discussions involved the consideration of a resolution to amend the operating budget to account for sponsorship funds received for anniversary activities, review of preliminary recycling rate data, and a summary of relevant 2026 Virginia General Assembly legislation. Additionally, the Board received reports on public information outreach activities, financial status updates for various funds, and upcoming regional collection events.

The Board meeting focused on a legislative update regarding the 2026 Virginia General Assembly, covering various bills including mattress stewardship, plastic bag taxes, minimum wage increases, and environmental justice strategies. The Operations and Technical Advisory Committee presented reports on recycling tonnage statistics, current commodity market prices for paper and steel, and the status of procurement for household hazardous waste collection services. Additionally, the Board reviewed public information and outreach activities, including partnerships with local educational institutions and upcoming community events. Financial reports for the previous month were also reviewed.

The key discussion topics for this meeting included a public comment period, a presentation from Dennis Bagley of Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) detailing their mixed-waste processing facility plans with AMP Robotics and potential issues with contamination, and an update on the 2026 Virginia General Assembly legislative session focusing on bills related to mattress stewardship, Styrofoam bans repeal, plastic bag tax revenue distribution, waste-to-energy grants, and organic waste diversion. Operational items included reporting on January recycling tonnage, commodity market prices, the expansion of the Food Waste Composting Program across multiple jurisdictions, and updates on battery recycling and Household Hazardous Waste RFPs. Financially, the January 2026 reports were reviewed. A critical agenda item was the consideration of Resolution 26-12 to amend the contract with Universal Environmental Services (UES) for used oil services, guaranteeing CVWMA a minimum payment of $.25/gallon due to market changes.