RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The amount of trash shipped to Virginia from other places for disposal remained relatively flat last year after increasing in 2010 for the first time since 2006.
A report released by the state Department of Environmental Quality says Virginia imported about 5.6 million tons of trash and debris in 2011.
Virginia is the nation’s second biggest importer of trash, behind Pennsylvania.
According to the report, 26 states and jurisdictions, as well as 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.
Meanwhile, the total amount of trash from within Virginia increased about 7 percent to 15.2 million tons. That includes household garbage, construction and demolition debris, vegetative and other types of waste.
