The meeting was held on September 16th at Oakland Christian Church Community Life Center. Darden Langston offered the invocation and everyone enjoyed delicious chicken pot pie, cranberry sauce, rolls and desserts.
Darden Langston discussed the Suffolk Parks and Trails Alliance Peanut project. The effort places custom-painted fiberglass peanuts around town to highlight Suffolk’s connection to our history of peanut production. Organizations can purchase a 5-foot-high peanut for $2,000. Individual members may contribute to the purchase of one for the Chapter. Darden will manage this effort. Feel free to contact him at 757-377-8755.
Our guest Speaker was Zach Trees from Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) Public Relations manager provided an informative briefing on the new system that will eventually recycle/repurpose 50% or more of our waste, extending the life span of the landfill by 35 years. SPSA SORT (Separating Organics, Recycling and Trash) initiative was undertaken to extend the life-span of the regional landfill and reduce the overall waste burden to the environment. SORT uses AI to separate waste streams and is managed by AMP Waste Management LTD. Implementing SORT extends the projected landfill lifetime from 2060 to 2095. The landfill supports Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Franklin and Southampton County (1.2 million people).
Based on a waste-characterization study, approximately 70% of this region’s waste does not need to be buried in a landfill. About 20% is recyclable (plastics and metals) and 30 to 50% is able to be converted into bio-char or bio-charcoal. The SORT organic waste stream will result in bio-char which captures the carbon in organics (primarily food, paper and yard wastes). Bio-char can be used as an additive for concrete, making the concrete more environmentally friendly. It can also be used as a soil additive or landfill topper (which captures/filters greenhouse gases). Creation of bio-char requires no energy input after cycle initiation since gases produced are used to heat the incoming waste (bio-char is created through pyrolysis).
Overall, the expectation is that recycled materials will increase from an average of 7% (typical for curbside programs) to 20% and 30 to 50% of waste will be repurposed as bio-char.
Implementation is phased and required all localities to commit to using the process. This commitment is why separate curbside recycling programs have been suspended. SPSA-published information is available at www.spsava.gov/sort. The website provides details of the full cycle and a transparency dashboard to show progress towards full implementation. As of September 2026, 20% of the region’s waste is being processed using SORT. Full implementation is expected to complete by 2028/2029. The contract provides for approximately 20% capacity increase through the 20-year contract life.
The SPSA management team invites groups who are interested in the project or want to learn more to reach out to them. Small group tours of the facilities (located in Portsmouth) can be scheduled.
Richard Wentz provided an update on the September 24 BBQ fundraiser. Contact Richard at 757-635-1215 for tickets.
Calendars for 2027 are now available for $10 each. See Virginia Wahab at our next meeting.
Chris Ferguson wrapped up with a request to thoughtfully consider assisting/leading the Cooking Committee. Even pot luck type meals require leadership and coordination. If you think you might be interested, please reach out to any member of the Board.