Virginia's June imports hit $5.4 billion as waste inflow sparks cleanup debate
June saw Virginia's imports rise to $5.4 billion, while solid waste arrivals increased modestly, prompting lawmakers to fund landfill remediation.
Virginia's economy benefited from a surge in imports, reaching $5.4 billion in June, up $2.5 billion year over year, thanks to the recently completed $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program that enhanced Norfolk Harbor's capacity for ultra-large container ships. The Virginia Port Authority's inland port near Front Royal, linked by rail, continues to streamline cargo movement, and legislators are considering replicating the model in Washington County.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Quality noted that solid waste intake grew by 1.46%, amounting to more than 22 million tons in 2024, with a significant share originating from other states. The majority of imported trash came from Maryland, New York, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and North Carolina. The shuttered Shoosmith landfill, closed in 2022, has been a source of leachate pollution, leading Chesterfield officials to divert waste by truck and allocate $10.6 million for interim mitigation.
Experts estimate a comprehensive cleanup could cost $173 million, while a temporary on-site treatment solution might require $50 million. The state attorney general's office is investigating potential violations by the landfill's owners.
Why it matters
Virginia's trade growth and waste management challenges affect regional economies and environmental health.
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