Out-Of-State Trash Shipments To Va. Increase
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- A new report says trash shipped to Virginia from other places for disposal has increased for the first time since 2006.
The report released Monday by the state Department of Environmental Quality says Virginia imported about 5.5 million tons of trash and debris in 2010, compared to 5.3 million tons in 2009.
According to the report, 24 states and several countries, including Canada and Mexico, shipped trash to Virginia for disposal last year. Maryland topped the list with more than 2 million tons sent to Virginia.
Most of the trash was household garbage. The waste also included 167,851 tons of incinerator ash and 959 tons of asbestos.
Virginia is the nation's second biggest importer of trash, behind Pennsylvania.
The Virginian-Pilot reported the findings Tuesday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
