Recycling is the practice of recovering used materials from the waste stream and incorporating those same materials into the manufacturing process. These efforts focus on the three "Rs": Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Virginia has a robust recycling infrastructure that depends on participation from citizens, local government, environmental organizations and businesses to help the community and the environment. Most communities in the Commonwealth offer residential curbside collection or drop-off sites for certain recyclable materials. 

DEQ provides guidance on recycling topics and programs, and also tracks and reports Virginia's recycling efforts. The agency works to promote awareness and strengthen the state's recycling network. Incentives are available to businesses in the form of tax credits for the purchase of machinery and equipment that process recyclable materials.

DEQ works closely with local agencies and solid waste planning units to ensure that locality-based recycling programs meet or exceed the state's mandated recycling rates, which the agency publishes annually.