Recycling
Fairfax County
Why Recycle?
We ask and urge our clients to recycle—not only because it is the law in Fairfax 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, compared to virgin production. Fairfax County Code Section 109.1-2-2 (a), Recycling for Residential Solid Waste, states that occupants of single-family homes and townhouses shall source-separate: container glass; metal food and beverage containers; plastic bottles and jugs; yard waste; scrap metal; and cardboard and mixed paper, including but not limited to corrugated cardboard (must be flattened), magazines, newspaper, office paper and miscellaneous paper products.
Please visit the following Web site for more information on Fairfax County recycling regulations: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/recycling/
Fairfax County Code Section 109.1 can be found at: http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10051&sid=46
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 Fairfax County’s environment because it reduces the amount of material destined for disposal while providing soil-improving properties to lawns and gardens. All single-family homes and most townhouses are required to recycle yard waste. Yard waste includes leaves, brush, branches, twigs and grass from regular household lawn and garden care. Brush and limbs must be 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. Specifically excluded are wood or lumber from decks, fences, etc. Brush does not include stumps or land-clearing debris.
Fairfax County requires that yard waste must be recycled from March through December. Trash Away will pick up yard waste in a separate truck and deliver it to Fairfax disposal sites to be recycled. The County has an alternative yard waste program that allows townhome communities to apply for an exemption from yard waste recycling requirements. The County reviews these applications and periodically issues an exemption if the community has small lots and do not produce significant yard waste. The exemption is valid for two years. Townhome communities must resubmit their request and the County will re-evaluate their exemption status.
Leaves and grass must be placed curbside separately in a clear plastic bag weighing no more than 50 pounds. Brush (shrubs, pruning, twigs and plants) must be placed in a separate container or in bundles weighing no more than 50 pounds. Bundled brush, such as tree limbs, must be cut to a length of less than 4 feet long and bundled with rope or twine. Trash Away will collect no more than 20 bags and/or bundles of recyclable yard waste per home per pick-up.
Trash Away’s collection of recyclable yard waste does not include: tree stumps, poisonous plants, dirt, rocks, stones, concrete, sand, insect nests or hives, or wood or lumber from decks, fences, etc. In addition, limbs that are larger than 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length will not be collected.
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 I-66 or I-95 recycling locations where it will be handled by licensed and trained professionals.
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.
Please consult the Fairfax County Web site for a list of organizations and for upcoming Computer Recycling Events at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/mat-comp.htm
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
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. Take the lamps to the I-66 Transfer Station Complex or the I-95 Landfill Complex household hazardous waste sites during scheduled dates and times only. You can call (703) 324-5230, TTY 711, 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 will not 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. Refer to the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/p2pages/hhw.pdf for more details on this and other environmental issues.
The Fairfax County Household Hazardous Waste Program accepts hazardous chemicals generated by residents free of charge and disposes or recycles them according to all local, state and federal regulations. The safest way to dispose of household hazardous waste is to carefully pack them and take them to one of the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Sites. This service is available to Fairfax County residents only.