Recycling efforts face difficult challenges worldwide, and local circum tances reflect those bar riers.

Curbside recycling service is no longer available anywhere in Washington County, the result of a recent decision by county commissioners to enter a new one-year contract with Republic Services. The contract eliminates curbside pickup of recycling but allows the county to avoid raising solid waste collection fees for another year.

For more information, check out the Aug. 26, 2026, edition of the Roanoke Beacon.