Environmental Services
Recycling: Multi-family Properties
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Arlington County is looking for your feedback on the proposed code changes outlined below.
Multi-family Dwelling Recycling Requirements
| The Current Code | requires properties to provide collection for newspapers, glass bottles and jars, and metal food and beverage cans |
| The Proposed Code | will require collection for mixed paper (to include cardboard, magazines, newspapers, office paper, and miscellaneous papers), glass and plastic bottles and jars, and metal food and beverage cans, and metal household items (to include large household appliances, bicycles, cabinets, doors, grills, iron furniture, and miscellaneous metals) |
Making the switch from recycling newspapers, glass, and metals, to recycling all types of mixed paper, glass, plastic, and metal materials in one container, has been shown to have no impact, and even decrease collection costs for many businesses. For a summary of the County’s research please see 2010 Case Study summary.
Please provide feedback to Kristen Rannels: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Scripts/FeedbackForm.aspx?to=Kristen Rannels&dom=arlingtonva.us or 703.228.6486
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SAVR Business & Multi Family Recognition Program – “Saving Arlington’s Valuable Resources”
| We’re looking for all business, multi family properties, and institutions that are leaders in recycling! Arlington County invites local businesses, multi family properties, and institutions to submit entries for its annual SAVR Awards program. The SAVR Awards recognize outstanding achievements in recycling, waste reduction, and the use of recycled products in the commercial sector. Submit entries online or find out more information about the SAVR Awards. |  |
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Commercial Recycling Assist-Visit Fee
Recycling and Reporting Requirements
Multi-family properties are required by County Code to:
- Establish and maintain a recycling program for residents to recycle newspapers, glass bottles and jars, and metal food and beverage containers. The recycling collection system must be separate from trash/ refuse collection. Properties are encouraged to include additional recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and jugs, magazines, mixed paper, and corrugated cardboard.
- File a Multi-family Recycling Plan Form upon receiving a Certificate of Occupancy (within 30 days).
- Submit an updated Multi-family Recycling Plan Form by February 1st of every third year. Note: Next Filing of Updated Plans will be by February 1, 2012.
- Disseminate educational materials periodically to inform residents, employees and any business tenants about the program.
A multi-family property is defined as any property with three or more dwellings, or a townhouse development that does not receive the County’s recycling services. Arlington townhouses built and occupied after July 1, 2003 receive County curbside services.
View a handy Guide to Recycling for Apartments and Condominiums (1.4 MB, PDF format).
Multi-family Recycling Plan Forms and Instructions are available in English and Spanish.
Arlington's mandatory recycling ordinance - County Code (79 KB, PDF format) was instituted in 1994, in response to the Commonwealth’s statutory requirement that all localities achieve a 25% recycling rate by 1995.
A Codes Inspector may visit your property to review your recycling program for compliance with County Code. Properties found in violation are subject to civil penalties of up to $300 per day. If your building is not recycling the required materials, please contact the Solid Waste Bureau at (703) 228-6570 for more information to help update your recycling program.
Recycling Program Responsibility
The person responsible (i.e. Responsible Party) for setting up and maintaining the property’s recycling program and submitting a Business Recycling Plan Form to the County is the person who manages trash collection /disposal at the property.
For multi-family properties with tenant businesses where individual businesses do not manage their own refuse or trash removal, the multi-family property manager is responsible for setting up the recycling program and reporting to the County.
If you are a business tenant within a multi-family property, contact your property manager for information on what materials your business can recycle, how to prepare these materials and where to find the recycling containers.
Successful Recycling Program ChecklistBefore filing a Recycling Plan Form, use this checklist to review your recycling program.
- Recycling program has management support.
- How to recycle is well advertised with clear and visible signs which include pictures and/or multiple languages.
- Recycling containers are conveniently placed near trash locations.
- Recycling program is monitored and improved to addresses contamination, low participation, etc.
- Recycling toters/dumpsters are correctly sized for your property.
- Staff follows procedures for collecting recyclables for your recycling hauler.
If you are the property owner/manager for a townhouse or condominium complex, contact the Solid Waste Bureau at 703-228-6570 to determine if you are eligible for County curbside refuse and recycling services.
View Workshop on Recycling Successfully in Condos/Apartment s, (1 MB, PDF format)
Multi-Family Recycling Plan Forms and InstructionsOnline Multi-Family Recycling Plan Form. It’s easy and fast to file your Multi-Family Recycling Plan online! The online form automatically checks that you have completed all required fields. Then just click on the Submit button and your form is electronically filed with Arlington County.
If you are unable to file online, please use these Recycling Plan forms.
Information for Property OwnersMulti-family property owners/managers should work with a private recycling hauler in the area to set up their recycling program. Oftentimes, owners will use the same hauler for their refuse and recycling services. View a current list of haulers in the Arlington area. Remember – you are the customer! It is your right to shop around for the best price on hauling services.
Tools to Educate Residents and TenantsProperty owners/managers are also responsible for educating their residents, tenants and staff about the property’s recycling program. Effective outreach methods include posting information at high-traffic areas such as trash rooms, mailbox areas and laundry rooms. Including information about the property’s recycling program in rental agreement/move in packages, flyers and periodic newsletters distributed to residents are also quite effective in getting the word out about recycling.
Commercial Recycling Toolkit Sample flyers, recycling signs and administrative documents are available to help promote your business' recycling program and properly label containers. View tips on how residents & tenants can Reduce, Reuse & Recycle in their home.
Information for Residents of Apartments and CondosAll multi-family properties are required to set up recycling systems for the following materials: newspapers, glass bottles and jars, and metal food and beverage containers. When preparing materials for recycling, residents should follow property manager instructions or use the following general guidelines:
- Newspapers and inserts should be loose; do not recycle plastic delivery bags.
- Glass containers should be rinsed clean, with caps and lids removed. Containers should be put loose in the recycling bin; do not bag them.
- Metal containers should be rinsed clean; lids are ok to recycle. Containers should be put loose in the recycling bin; do not bag them.
- Remember "when in doubt, leave it out!"
Interested in recycling other materials? Mixed paper (including junk mail), corrugated cardboard, and plastic containers (#1 and #2) can be recycled at one of the County’s two recycling drop-off centers. Other materials, such as computers, used oil, and cell phones can be recycled at various places in the County. Find out more information on recycling other materials.
