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Central Virginia Debuts Trash Carts Made from Recycled Waste
17 Oct
Summary
- New trash carts made with 5% UBQ recycled materials
- Estimated 7.5% carbon emission reduction compared to non-recycled carts
- Central Virginia generates 1.2 million tons of waste annually
In October 2025, several Central Virginia localities have invested in 3,000 new trash carts that are partially made with a plastic-alternative material created by the Israel-based waste diversion company UBQ. The carts, manufactured by Cascade Engineering in Michigan, are an estimated $100,000 investment for the city, county, and surrounding municipalities of Hopewell, Ashland, and Colonial Heights.
The UBQ material is produced by processing European garbage, including organic matter, plastic, and other waste, into pellets that can be used to make various products. While no American trash is used, local leaders are eager to adopt this technology to help reduce waste and carbon emissions. UBQ estimates a 7.5% carbon emission reduction from making the carts with their product rather than non-recycled materials.
"Today's announcement marks a new way of thinking about waste, turning what we once discarded into something useful," said Laura Thomas, Director of the Richmond Office of Sustainability. The new trash carts will be distributed to new homes or homes in need of replacement, as the region generates and discards around 1.2 million tons of waste annually.
