Environmental Services
Recycling Other Materials
Below are resources on where to recycle various materials. The materials are also listed in the box to the right.
The Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Program (ACBC) collects aluminum cans to support programs that prevent burns and improve the quality of life for young burn survivors and their families by providing funding for research, annual therapeutic residential burn camps, and other year round activities that support their physical, psychological, and social needs. In Arlington, aluminum cans may be dropped off at the following ACBC collection sites:
- Crystal City Fire Station #5, 1750 S. Hayes St.
- Falls Church Fire Station #6, 6950 Little Falls Rd.
- Halls Hill Fire Station #8, 4845 Lee Hwy.
- Walter Reed Fire Station #9, 1900 S. Walter Reed Dr.
For more information regarding the ACBC program, please visit the ACBC web site or call (703) 266-3060.
Bikes for the World accepts bicycles (along with a $10 donation per bike) for recycling. The bicycles are cleaned up, repaired if necessary, and sent overseas. Check the schedule for Bikes for the World bike collections.
The Arlington Public Library welcomes donations of books and materials that can either be added to the collection or sold through the Friends of the Library. Materials that are most useful are:
- Recently published titles: fiction and nonfiction, paperback and hardback
- Children's books
- Videos, DVDs and recorded books
- Popular subjects: mysteries and detectives, romance, science fiction, classics, military history, politics, travel, world languages and art
- High interest magazines: Architectural Digest, Bon Appetit and Gourmet
Please sort though your material carefully. The library is unable to use or sell material that is moldy or mildewed, out of date, underlined, torn or damaged, and must discard it at a cost to the library. Bring your donations to Arlington Library location during regular business hours.
Diana's Books of Fairfax, VA receives donated books and ships books overseas to communities in need. They also resell some books to raise money to support their international efforts. dianasbooks (at) cox.net for more information.
Books for America accepts (and does home pickups of) donated books, movies, CDs, laptop computers, etc. They use the books to build reading libraries in schools, shelters, prisons, etc. in the Washington, DC metro area (and are branching into rural Virginia) as well. Books for America 1417 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037. 202.835.2665
Booksavers of Harrisonburg, VA, resells and recycles books. Booksavers will sell donated items that have value. Old textbooks and other similar items are channeled through other organizations, or have their covers removed ands are recycled. Email Booksavers (attention David Stoltzfus, Manager) at to arrange for delivery.
Donate used building materials, or purchase building materials, at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore retail location. Restore sells new and used building and home improvement materials to the general public. All materials sold by ReStore are donated by local retail businesses, building contractors, suppliers and individuals. Some of the items that ReStore accepts for donations include:
- building materials,
- construction related equipment and tools,
- lumber,
- kitchen cabinets,
- electrical and plumbing supplies,
- flooring and roofing materials, and
- other new or used building materials that are in usable condition.
For more information regarding ReStore, please visit ReStore’s web site or contact the Northern Virginia Habitat ReStore, located at 7770-A Richmond Highway in Alexandria, at (703) 703-360-6700.
Recycle Construction and Building Materials with Loading Dock. The Loading Dock accepts all kinds of materials, including kitchen sets, base and wall cabinets, cabinetry and vanities, insulation, lamps, toilets, windows (replacement/thermal), and wood flooring.
The Lacerta Group offers recycling for CDs and other magnetic media. Click on the Contact Us button on the bottom of the screen to find contact information for The Lacerta Group.
GreenDisk offers individuals, businesses and government offices solutions for recycling a variety of technology wastes, including:
- Diskettes;
- CD,CDR, CDRW, DVD and jewel cases;
- Video and audio tapes and their cases;
- Ink jet and toner cartridges; and
- Cell phones, pagers and PDAs.
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition’s Clean Computer Campaign suggests GreenDisk for recycling various technology wastes. They also suggest Plastics Recycling Incorporated, 2015 South Pennsylvania Indianapolis, IN 46625. For information call (317) 780-6100. Plastics Recycling Inc. takes CDs only (music CDs, CD-ROMs, and writable CDs).
The number of cell phones that are being disposed of is growing dramatically. Fortunately, there are several organizations attempting to reduce the hazardous impact of cell phone waste by collecting old and used cell phones.
Arlington Commonwealth Attorney’s Victims/Witness Program - Emergency Cell Phone Program. Cellular phones donated by private citizens and local businesses are distributed to victims of crime, primarily the elderly and victims of domestic violence and stalking. These phones can be used to call 911 in the event of an emergency. Boxes available at following locations:
- Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney; 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 5200
- Lobby of the Courthouse Plaza Building; 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Information Desk
Doorways for Women and Families TACTS is a non-profit organization that offers a safe place for abused, homeless, and at-risk women and families. You can donate cell phones and other items to Doorways.
CollectiveGood and all Staples stores now offer a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program, where customer can recycle their used cell phones, PDAs, pagers and rechargeable batteries. A large portion of the proceeds generated from recycling the mobile electronics devices will be donated to the Sierra Club. The Staples in Arlington is located at: 910 North Glebe Rd. Phone: 703-528-8207.
ReCellular, Inc. is the largest recycler and reseller of used wireless phones and accessories in the wireless industry. ReCellular has well-established partnerships with Easter Seals, Verizon Wireless, the March of Dimes, National Organization on Disability, Goodwill Industries, and The Body Shop. There are many locations in Arlington to recycle your phone.
- Body Shop - Pentagon City Mall, 1100 South Hayes St. Phone: 703-415-2166
- Verizon Wireless, 4238 Wilson Blvd. Phone: 703-812-8164
- Verizon Wireless, Pentagon City Mall, 1100 South Hayes Street Phone: 703-415-1101
- T-Mobile, 4238 Wilson Blvd., 703-276-1501
- T-Mobile, 1300 Wilson Blvd. Suite L200, 703-351-2570
- March of Dimes, 2700 South Quincy Street, Suite 220, Arlington, VA 22206. Phone: 703-824-0111. Residents can either bring used cell phones to the March of Dimes office, or send phones to the office via mail. If residents require a receipt of their donation, indicate this when sending the phone in via mail.
Recycle for Breast Cancer is a fundraising program designed to help The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation raise funds quickly and easily through recycling many types of electronic equipment, cell phones, and toner cartridges. As a participant, you collect these items, box and prepare them for shipping and the organization will send you a prepaid shipping label. There is no cost to you for shipping. Visit the Recycle for Breast Cancer website for more information.
Is your organization interested in starting a used cell phone collection program? Charitable Recycling works with different community groups to collect used cell phones for refurbishing and recycling. If your organization collects more than 50 phones, Charitable Recycling will pay for the shipping costs. Individuals can also send their phones to Charitable Recycling for refurbishing and reuse, but they will need to pay for shipping themselves.
If your cell phone is no longer working and you need to dispose of it, be sure to recycle the battery.
There are several opportunities in Arlington to donate reusable clothing items that you no longer need. The Clothing Recycling Company (CRCO) is a local business set up to give something back to the community. CRCO works in partnership with local non-profit charities dedicated to providing clothing and health care for the homeless and needy in the Washington Metropolitan area. CRCO has established several green clothing drop-off collection boxes for in Arlington at the following locations:
- Whole Foods, 2700 Wilson Blvd.
- Eckerd's Pharmacy, 3130 Lee Hwy.
- First Presbyterian Church, near intersection of Carlin Springs Rd. & Glebe Rd.
Reusable clothing is also accepted by many churches and thrift stores. To locate one near you, consult the yellow pages under "churches" and "thrift stores." Find the nearest Goodwill (click on the link for "Where to Donate") or Salvation Army store near you where you can donate materials. Planet Aid also has yellow collection boxes at many locations around Arlington, such as grocery stores and gas stations. You can donate clothing and textiles to Planet Aid at any of these locations.
Arlington residential households can recycle computers and other electronic items at the County’s HHM drop-off site. The facility is open every Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm and is located at the Water Pollution Control Plant. Call 703-228-6832 for more information.
Items accepted free of charge include:
- old or unwanted central processing units
- hard drives
- keyboards
- printers and copiers
- laptop computers
- wires and power cords
- computer speakers
- surge protectors
- video cards
- scanners
- computer mice
- cell phones
- software
- other peripheral computer equipment.
Computer monitors are accepted for a $15 fee. Televisions can be recycled for a $20 fee. TVs and CRT monitors contain, on average, 6-8 pounds of lead and other harmful materials which must be reclaimed.
The program above is open to all Arlington County households. Businesses may recycle computers and electronic items by exploring the following options:
- Turtle Wings provides computer and electronic recycling services to businesses and also have a free drop-off day for residents.
- PC Recycler is a premier electronics recycling company which also offers data destruction and shredding services. We offer these services to our commercial customers but also have a monthly residential recycling event. For more information: 703-436-1967.
- Electronics Industry Alliance.
- Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Computer and Electronics Recycling resources.
- Electronicsrecycling.org. This web site offers a wealth of electronics recycling information representing all industry work groups (e.g., collection, de-manufacturing, refurbishment/resell, research, recycling). The site also includes a searchable database of computer/electronic companies and events.
- Keep It Green. A joint project of ServiceSource, Inc. and Computer Donation Management, Inc., operates a computer drop-off program out of ServiceSource's Employment Center in Alexandria, Virginia and specializes in protecting our environment through the recycling of computer equipment. A fee is charged for monitors. Drop off your items at the warehouse Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am. - 4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact: Keep It Green c/o ServiceSource, Inc., 6295 Edsall Road, Suite 175, Alexandria, Virginia 22312, (703) 461-6143 (Info. Line).
- UNICOR provides recycling activities to federal, state, and local governments, schools, not-for-profit organizations and private industry while protecting the environment.
- Dell corporation information about computer recycling. You can request a home pickup of computer equipment for recycling, for $15.
- Computer Recycling USA is a nationwide company offering secure electronics recycling services for businesses. Phone: 877-PC-WASTE x704
The Donations Hotlink provides a simple and efficient connection between individuals and companies with items to donate and non-profit agencies that may be in need of new or gently used items. You can browse a list of needed items or post an item you wish to donate.
The Freecycle Network™ is a non-profit organization made up of many individual groups across the globe. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free. When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the Arlington Virginia Freecycle group.
Rechargeable batteries are used in the following types of devices: power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, cameras, and two-way radios. Rechargeable batteries, as well as lithium, silver-oxide, and mercury batteries, should be deposited in special orange collection boxes located at most Arlington County Fire Stations or brought to the Household HazMat drop-off site. These batteries enter the County's Household Hazmat program, where they are either disposed of properly or recycled. Alkaline and carbon-zinc household batteries should be disposed of along with the regular trash. Arlington County Fire Stations with Battery Recycling Containers:
- Fire Station 1,500 S. Glebe Rd. Phone: 703-228-0101
- Fire Station 2, 4805 Wilson Boulevard Phone: 703-228-0102
- Fire Station 4, 3121 N. 10th Street Phone: 703-228-0104
- Fire Station 5, 1750 S. Hayes Street Phone: 703-228-0105
- Fire Station 7, 3116 S. Abingdon Street Phone: 703-228-0107
- Fire Station 8, 4845 Lee Highway Phone: 703-228-0108
- Fire Station 9, 1900 S. Walter Reed Drive Phone: 703-228-0109
- Fire Station 10, 1559 Wilson Boulevard Phone: 703-228-0110
The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation includes a searchable database of recycling drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries, including many locations in Arlington.
The Plastic Loose Fill Council offers a toll-free Peanut Recycling Hotline; call (800) 828-2214 or go to the Loose Fill Packaging web site to help you identify a peanut collection site closest to you.
The following locations accept packing peanuts in Arlington County:
- Crystal City Copy Center, 2341 Jefferson Davis Hwy #113, Arlington, VA 22202, (703)415-1733
- Pak Mail, 1001 N. Fillmore St., Arlington, VA 22201, (703)351-7777
- Mail Boxes Etc., 4201 Wilson Blvd., #110 Phone: 703-522-4000
- UPS Store, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Ste 102 Phone: 703-358-9500
Arlington COunty does not currently sponsor paper shredding events. There are some periodic events in the area for shredding and recycling of personal papers, to protect your identity and also recycle papers and files that you no longer need. We will post events when they are available.
Community Shred event in September, 2009
PC Recycler events ($10 per box shredded)
There are two primary ways to recycle toner cartridges from printers and copy machines:
- Leave them for pickup. Some office supply companies will pick up used toner cartridges free of charge. Ask your company if they will pick up cartridges, and if so, what the protocol is for doing so.
- Mail them back. New toner cartridges are delivered in boxes. Most cartridges can be sent back to the manufacturer for recycling. Simply repack the cartridge in its original box and seal it for shipping. The manufacturer supplies a return postage paid address label in each original box. Place this label on the box and mail it as you would any other package.
The U.S. Council of Mayors has an informative brochure about toner cartridge recycling on their website.
Toner Cartridge Recycling Information from InkGuides.com
GreenDisk also offers solutions for recycling toner cartridges.
The T3 Toner Company buys back empty toner, ink jet, fax, and copier cartridges. T3 Toner then remanufactures and sells the refurbished items. The company will also buy surplus inventory, expired, excess, overstock, and outdated printer supplies. Individuals or companies should use the “Request a Quote” form on the T3 Toner website to get an estimate of how much money they will receive on their empty items. The website also contains a list of items that T3 Toner will accept.
Staples Recycle for Education calls upon communities across the country to recycle their used ink jet and laser toner cartridges to generate funds for educators who "go the extra mile" in their classrooms. Staples will donate $1 to local schools for every eligible old ink jet and laser cartridge dropped off at their store. Check the Staples web sites for a list of eligible cartridges. Interested in setting up your own drop-off container for used cartridges? Contact a Staples store associate for more information and a recycling bin.
Recycle for Breast Cancer is a fundraising program designed to help The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation raise funds quickly and easily through recycling old cell phones and empty ink jet and toner cartridges. As a participant, you collect these items, box and prepare them for shipping and the organization will send you a prepaid shipping label. There is no cost to you for shipping. Visit the Recycle for Breast Cancer website for more information and a list of acceptable cartridges.
Please help recycle - don’t throw valuable cartridges in the trash!
You can further help the environment and save money by purchasing remanufactured toner cartridges. These cartridges are often available in office supply catalogs and you order them as you would any other office supply. These cartridges are a high quality product and function exactly like the new cartridges do, and often at a lower price.
