News Summary
The Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority (VPPSA) has officially ended its curbside recycling contract with Tidewater Fibre Corporation due to ongoing performance issues. This decision, effective September 30, affects curbside recycling services in James City County, York County, and more. VPPSA cited noncompliance and insufficient customer service. Residents are advised to retain their recycling carts temporarily and utilize local drop-off centers for recycling. Alternative solutions are being sought to replace services disrupted by the contract termination.
Williamsburg – The Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority (VPPSA) Board of Directors has voted to terminate its curbside recycling contract with Tidewater Fibre Corporation (TFC) due to significant performance deficiencies. The contract termination is effective as of September 30, 2025, affecting curbside recycling services for James City County, York County, the City of Williamsburg, and the City of Poquoson.
VPPSA issued a formal notice of termination to TFC, citing noncompliance with the contractual agreement and the contractor’s unwillingness to resolve ongoing compliance issues. Over several months, VPPSA has noted serious deficiencies including missing records, inaccurate reports leading to billing issues, and failure to meet customer service standards. Despite repeatedly requesting documentation to ensure billing accuracy from TFC, VPPSA received unsatisfactory responses. Although VPPSA withheld payment for disputed invoices, it continued to make payments for the number of households reported by TFC.
Since February 2025, VPPSA has made recommendations and proposed amendments to the contract in an effort to address these issues, yet TFC has failed to implement adequate corrective actions. Led by a board decision on September 24, 2025, the Authority deemed the circumstances as untenable, prompting the termination of the contract that began in December 2018, with the last amendment being made in December 2023.
VPPSA has acknowledged that the termination may cause inconvenience for local residents, and as a result, it is actively seeking suitable recycling solutions to replace TFC’s services. James City County is currently assessing alternative curbside recycling solutions and has recommended that residents hold on to their recycling carts until further notice.
Current curbside recycling customers in James City County will receive service until September 30, 2025. It is important for residents to stop adding recyclables to their carts after this date and utilize the county’s Convenience Centers, which will accept drop-off recycling at no cost. Should the Authority not secure a new provider in time, residents can expect refunds for payments made for the period from October 1 to December 31, 2025.
Meanwhile, the City of Poquoson has confirmed that TFC will continue with scheduled collections on September 26, 2025, and anticipates opening temporary drop-off locations for recycling on certain weekends to accommodate residents. In contrast, the City of Williamsburg plans to begin a new contract with Republic Services for curbside recycling starting October 1, 2025, maintaining the existing Monday and Tuesday collection schedule.
Residents in York County are similarly advised to retain their recycling containers until new solutions are announced. They may use the Recycling Convenience Center in York County for drop-off recycling. Additionally, James City County has temporarily authorized York County residents to use its convenience centers for drop-off recycling. Furthermore, Williamsburg residents may also drop off their recyclables at James City County’s convenience centers during this transition period.
For ongoing updates and further information, residents are encouraged to visit the websites of their respective counties and cities or contact local government departments through the provided phone numbers and email addresses.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WYDaily: VPPSA Terminates Curbside Recycling Contract
- Wikipedia: Recycling
- WAVY: VPPSA Ends Curbside Recycling Contract
- Google Search: Recycling Performance Deficiencies
- Pilot Online: VPPSA Terminates Contract with Recycling Service
- Google Scholar: Recycling Contract Termination
- WYDaily: Visit Williamsburg October Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Recycling Services
- Daily Press: New WJCC Schools Contract
- Google News: WJCC Schools
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
