SOLID WASTE PLANNING

The Thomas Jeffersson Planning District Commission is a leader in regional solid waste planning efforts. Since 1983 the PDC has provided assistance to its members on a wide range of solid waste issues including solid waste management plans, recycling efforts, and maintaining state mandated recycling rate reports

Solid Waste Plan Public Survey

Your input is important and will be used to inform decisions about local solid waste and recycling programs as well as future opportunities to reduce waste destined for the landfill. The jurisdictions included in the survey are the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, as well as the City of Charlottesville.
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Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Planning Unit (TJ-SWPU)

Currently the TJPDC provides oversight and management of the Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Planning Unit (TJ-SWPU). The TJ-SWPU is responsible for developing and maintaining a 5-year regional solid waste management plan that meets the requirements set forth in § 10.1-1411. Current members of the TJ-SWPU include the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna and Greene. As part of the solid waste planning efforts the PDC also conducts the annual Recycling Rate Reporting assessment. This annual report to the state is used to ensure that the TJ-SWPU meets the state mandated minimum recycling rate of 25% on an annual basis.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN ENGAGEMENT

The technical advisory committee assists in drafting the TJSWPU’s new Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which will  serve as the roadmap for recycling, waste reduction and overall solid waste programming activities through 2046.

The SWMP is a state mandated 20-year planning document that serves as the region’s principal solid waste management planning framework. SWMPs are required to assess and plan for the reuse, recycling, and disposal of solid waste. 

The TAC represents the interests and views of the community. The SWMP will be drafted by TJPDC staff, with the support, advice, and counsel of the TAC. Members are encouraged to communicate regularly with their interest groups and to convey the opinions of their interest groups to TJPDC staff.

To meet state regulatory deadlines, the SWMP must be adopted by the TJPD Commission no later than October 7, 2026. Staff designed a schedule in which the majority of the TAC’s involvement would be between September 2025 and September 2026.

NameOrganizationRole
Greg HarperAlbemarle CountyDirector of FES
Jamie PowersAlbemarle CountyClimate Program Manager
Kevin McDermottAlbemarle CountyDeputy Director of Planning
Michael BarnesAlbemarle CountyDirector of Planning
John ColesACPSSustainability Coordinator
Kristel RiddervoldCharlottesvilleDirector of Sustainability
Emily IrvineCharlottesvilleClimate Program Manager
Steven HicksCharlottesvilleDirector of Public Works
Jonathan DeanCharlottesvillePublic Service Manager
Ose AkinlotanCharlottesvilleLong-Range Planning Manager
Todd FortuneFluvanna CountyDirector of Planning
Dale CritzerFluvanna CountyDirector of Public Works
Jim FrydlGreene CountyDirector of Planning
Stephanie GolonGreene CountyDeputy Director of Planning
Michael TaylorGreene CountySolid Waste Manager, Director of Facility Maintenance
Phil McKalipsRivanna AuthoritiesDirector of Rivanna Solid Waste Authority
Courtney CottonUVA RecyclingWaste and Recyclable Materials Manager
Andrea TrimbleUVA SustainabilitySustainability Director
Jessie WarrenUVA SustainabilityOffice for Sustainability Associate Director

September 26, 2025

PROGRAM MATERIALS

Local and regional solid waste pans are a key component of Virginia’s Solid waste management strategy. All localities in Virginia are required to have an individual plan or be part of a regional plans. These plans describe how localities will meet their solid waste needs on a 20-year planning horizon and discuss how the localities will work to implement the solid waste hierarchy.

Under Virginia Solid Waste Regulations localities and regions are required to maintain a minimum recycling rate of 25% (for areas with a population over 100,000).

TJPDC staff administer the annual Recycling and solid waste inventory to track the regions progress on meeting the required 25% recycling rate. These annual reports are submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality who evaluates and approves the regional rate.

 Solid Waste 101 Guide
Learn more about the Solid Waste Plan and how it works.

Solid Waste 101 Guide