Virginia Sees Less Trash

Richmond, Va. — Those who think Viriginia is a dumping ground for trash had better reconsider. The volume of trash imports into the state dropped slightly in 2000, according to a report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Incoming municipal solid waste totaled 3.89 million tons in 2000, a reduction of nearly 230,000 tons from 1999, the report states. In 1999, trash imports were projected to go from 4 million tons to 7 million tons once New York's Fresh Kills Landfill closed. But the landfill has closed, and trash imports have dropped.