Recycling
Arlington County (Residential & Single Family Properties)
Why Recycle?
Trash AWAY, Inc. asks and urges our clients to recycle—not only because it is the law in Arlington County but also because recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions when compared to virgin production. The Arlington County Board adopted the Arlington County Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) June 12, 2004. The plan was based on the recommendations of the Solid Waste Committee of the Arlington Environment and Energy Conservation Commission and includes important solid waste goals to help achieve environmental sustainability.
The SWMP was developed in response to regulations adopted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in 2001 that require all local Virginia jurisdictions to submit updated 20-year plans by July 1, 2004. The plan meets the state requirements and lays the groundwork for the future expansion of the County's solid waste programs. The SWMP establishes Arlington's policies for solid waste management in the county. The SWMP also serves as a guide for the future growth of the County's solid waste management system, which includes:
- A waste-to-energy plant that converts waste collected in Arlington and the City of Alexandria into electricity,
- Recycling requirements for businesses and multi-family dwellings in the county,
- Refuse and recycling collection services for all single-family and duplex residences, and
- Waste reduction programs (backyard composting, etc.).
Please visit the following Web site for more information on Arlington County recycling regulations: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/swd/EnvironmentalServicesSwdRecycling.aspx
What to Recycle?
Mixed Paper
To be placed in recycling bin, clear plastic bags or paper bags
- All office paper (copier paper, letterhead, stationary, computer paper, envelopes)
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Newspapers Advertising Inserts
- Magazines
- Unwanted Mail
- Cereal (other food) Boxes (remove wax liner)
- Telephone Books
- All clean dry paper that tears
Do NOT recycle the following
- Food or soiled paper boxes; Styrofoam containers
- Takeout food boxes (i.e., pizza boxes)
- Paper towels, plates or napkins
- Gift wrap
Commingled Materials
Remove all food residues and place loosely in recycling bin or clear plastic
- Plastic bottles and jugs (narrow necked only)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Bimetal (steel/tin) Cans
- Aluminum cans and foil products
- Clean ferrous metal (sticks to a magnet)
Do NOT recycle the following
- Food or soiled paper boxes; Styrofoam containers or pellets; Plastic takeout food containers; plastic cups, plates or utensils
- Paper towels, plates or napkins
- Scrap aluminum or non-ferrous metal
- Light bulbs
- Toxic containers (antifreeze, oil, etc.)
- Disposable diapers, diapers or rags
- Window glass or mirrors
- Ceramics, dishes and glassware
- Plastic bags
Yard Waste
Yard waste recycling is important for Arlington County's environment because it reduces the amount of material destined for disposal while providing soil-improving properties to lawns and gardens. Yard waste includes leaves, brush, branches, twigs and grass from regular household lawn and garden care. Trash AWAY will collect brush and limbs that are cut to a length of less than 4 feet long and bundled (arm-full size) with rope or twine and should not exceed a weight of greater than 50 pounds. Tree stumps and limbs that are larger than 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length will not be collected. Specifically excluded are wood or lumber from decks, fences, etc. Brush does not include stumps or land-clearing debris.
Appliances and Scrap metal
- Small and large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners, etc.)
- Other scrap metal (lawn chairs, grills, metal framing, etc.).
Some appliances contain ozone-depleting substances such as Freon. These substances, if released into the environment, destroy the protective ozone layer above the earth. More modern refrigerators and freezers manufactured since 1994 contain ozone-friendly replacement hydrofluorcarbons. By 2003 all new refrigerators and freezers were manufactured without ozone depleting substances. However, the ozone-friendly refrigerants still need careful handling to assure minimal damage to the atmosphere. Because of the special issues concerning appliance recycling, it is important that you contact us, a certified appliance collector or take your appliance to the inert materials and scrap metal drop-off facility that is located at the Solid Waste Bureau's Earth Products Yard, 4300 29th Street South, Arlington. Weekday drop-off hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This service is available only to Arlington County residents. Residents must call the Solid Waste Division at (703) 228-6570 to schedule an appointment for weekday drop-off. On the first Saturday of each month drop-offs will be on a walk-up basis from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chargeable items are not accepted on Saturdays.
Computers and Electronic
Several major manufacturers participate in electronics recycling programs. Some even will come to your home and pick up your old computer, printer, etc. for FREE when you purchase a new one from them. Contact your manufacturer for details. Also Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) is a twice yearly event during which Arlington residents can safely dispose of household hazardous materials, or recycle bikes, small metal items, electronic equipment, shoes or eyeglasses. In addition, compost bins are sold at this event. Please visit this Website for more information: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/Documents/ECARE_spring08.pdf.
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
Arlington County's Fresh AIRE campaign encourages the use of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights, especially high-quality products that have earned the Energy Star designation. However, fluorescent lamps contain small quantities of mercury that may create potential adverse health effects if released into the environment. By recycling these lamps the mercury is removed and recovered for reuse while the balance of the materials are either recycled or disposed according to federal and state environmental regulations. Used CFLs should be disposed as Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) at the semi-annual E-CARE recycling events in April and October or by bringing them to the HHM recycling station at the Water Pollution Control Plant on Saturdays. Residents can also schedule appointments to drop off HHM at the Water Pollution Control Plant during regular working hours Monday through Friday. Please visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/wpcp/EnvironmentalServicesWpcpHouseholdHazMat.aspx for more information. As an alternative many retailers will take your used CFLs and recycle them properly. Please visit www.earth911.org for updated local information about CFL recycling opportunities in the commercial/retail sector. Other useful sites include: http://www.lamprecycling.com/, http://www.wmlamptracker.com/wmdefault.cfm and http://www.greencbre.com/easypak/.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste also is disposed separately and cannot be accepted by our collectors. Household hazardous waste is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as hazardous material such as household cleaners, paint, paint thinners, motor oil gasoline and pesticides. You can refer to the EPA Web site for more details on this and other environmental issues at www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/p2pages/hhw.pdf.
Arlington County's household hazardous materials (HHM) facility is for disposal of household hazardous materials generated by Arlington residents. The HHM drop-off facility is located on the grounds of the Water Pollution Control Plant at 3402 S. Glebe Road. The HHM entrance is at 3151 S. Fern Street, located at the intersection of South Fern Street and South Glebe Road. This service is available to Arlington County residents only and is not available to commercial or business hazardous materials.
The HHM drop-off facility is open every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., except on major holidays and scheduled E-CARE collection events (typically held on a Saturday in April and in October). You can call (703) 228-6832 to verify HHM facility closures during these times. A scheduled appointment is not required to drop-off materials on Saturdays. However, citizens are encouraged to confirm acceptability of their HHM materials by calling the HHM chemist at (703) 228-6832 before departing for the facility. On Saturdays, citizens should proceed directly to the HHM storage sheds and check with the HHM chemist.