South Richmond recycling site moving to new location after dumping issues

A recycling drop-off location in South Richmond is moving to a new, fenced-in location that will help officials cut down on non-recyclable junk getting dumped near the containers.

Later this month, the recycling site in the parking lot of the Stratford Hills Shopping Center will move to 7400 Forest Hill Avenue, a driveway next to Fire Station 24. The fire station is across from the entrance to the Lowe’s hardware store and Walmart off Forest Hill.

The Stratford Hills location is scheduled to close Oct. 27, according to city officials.

“The recycling drop-off location is moving from the Stratford Hills Shopping Center to better serve the public in a larger area that is more secure and on city-owned property,” said Department of Public Works spokesperson Paige Hairston.

City Councilor Sarah Abubaker (4th District) said the decision was a response to illegal dumping at the Stratford Hills location, where there was no fence around the containers.

“People would go there after dark,” Abubaker said. “Leave furniture, electronics, all sorts of wild stuff.”

Illegal dumping appears to be a growing concern for Richmond officials. At a Council committee meeting last month, a DPW representative said the city is considering installing surveillance cameras in dumping “hotspots” to try to crack down.

The city operates three other recycling drop-off locations at the Parker Field Annex at 1710 Robin Hood Rd., the Southside Transfer Station at 3506 N. Hopkins Rd. and the East Richmond Road Convenience Center at 3800 E. Richmond Rd.

Hairston said the goal of the South Richmond move was to "provide a larger venue for potential recycling events" in addition to alleviating dumping.

Echoing DPW, Abubaker said she expects the new Forest Hill location will be an upgrade.

“This new place is going to have more space and capacity,” Abubaker said. “The positive is, it’s going to be better.”

Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org