Environmental Services
Residential Recycling
New Residents
Arlington County provides weekly curbside recycling collection services through a private contractor to all single family homes, duplexes and some town homes. Call the Utilities Services Office at (703) 228-6570, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to set up a new utilities account for water, sewer and trash/recycling collection services.
Trash/Recycling Collection Rates and Account Set-Up Information >>
Manage Your Account
Manage Your Utilities Account Online >>
Collection Time
- Set your cart out by 6 a.m. on your trash collection day (and no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before), next to your trash cart
- Secure carts to keep contents from spilling onto street
- Remove carts from curb within 24 hours of collection
View the Holiday Collection Schedule >>
Backdoor Pickup
Backdoor pickups can be arranged for residents who are unable to take their trash and/or recyclables to the curb. For more information and to request an application, please call (703) 228-6570. Certain restrictions apply.
Missed or Partial Pickup
Please report a missed or partial pickup by noon of the next business day so that we may collect it or it will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day. You pay report it online using our Missed Pickup form, or call (703) 228-6570.
What's Accepted for Recycling
Place all recyclable materials in the blue recycling cart. Unacceptable materials will be tagged and left at the curb. Remember to always empty and rinse all containers! All residential home properties are required to recycle the following materials:
- Aluminum cans
- Cardboard (no size restrictions)
- Glass (bottles and jars)
- Metal household items (large household appliances, bicycles, cabinets, doors, grills, iron furniture, etc.)
- Metal cans
- Mixed paper (cardboard, magazines, newspapers, office paper, etc.)
- Plastics
For more details, look up your item on our Where Does It Go? chart >>
Learn about how you can reduce and reuse by donating to charity and community organizations >>
Don't see your item or still have questions about disposal? Call (703) 228-6570.
Recycling Carts
Each household is assigned a blue recycling cart. This cart has been electronically linked to your address, with a radio frequency identification tag (RFID) to record the cart's identification number, date and time of collection. This tracks how many carts are set out on any given day and allows the County to target our outreach efforts and help better plan the collection routes.
We ask that you record the number on your cart and keep it at your property. Do not take it when you move. If the cart is destroyed due to misuse or abuse, a replacement fee may be charged.
Exchange or Return of Recycling Cart
If you have an overflow of recycling that cannot fit in your blue cart, please follow one of the options:
- If you have the smaller 35 gallon cart, request to upgrade to a 65 gallon cart. The size of your cart can be determined by looking at the serial number on your cart. It will start with a 35 or a 65 depending on its size.
- Purchase a personal recycling container to store additional recyclables. The container must meet the requirements below and must be clearly identified for recycling.
Personal Container Requirements
- The container(s) shall be rigid and have a sealable lid.
- Hold between 20 - 32 gallons.
- Weight when full shall not exceed 50 lbs.
- Must be clearly identified for recycling collection (the County provides decals to place on containers, call 703-228-6570).
- The County shall be permitted to attach an RFID tag for the purpose of tracking participation.
- All maintenance and care of the container is the responsibility of the resident.
Weight Limits
There is a 200 lb. limit on the weight of contents placed in trash carts. Additional containers, whether bags or cans, have a weight limit of 50 lbs. each. The weight restriction is imposed for the safety of our crews. If you violate these weight restrictions, a fine may be charged.
Repairs
Residents are responsible for the cleanliness of recycling carts and for damage due to misuse or abuse. If your cart is broken and needs to be repaired, you can request a recycling cart repair online 24/7 or call (703) 228-6570, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Missed or Partial Pickup
Please report a missed or partial pickup by noon of the next business day so that we may collect it or it will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day. You pay report it online using our Missed Pickup Form, or call (703) 228-6570.
Recycling Drop-Off Centers
Arlington County operates two recycling Drop-off Centers that are available to residents 24/7:
- North Arlington at Quincy Park (N. Quincy Street and Washington Boulevard)
- South Arlington (corner of Columbia Pike and S. Four Mile Run), Note: The small metal recycling container will be relocated to the Earth Products Yard beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28
View Service Locations Map for more information >>
Drop-Off Guidelines
- Recycle only the materials specifically listed and place them in the appropriate bins. Placing other materials in the bins may make the entire load unmarketable, and might even cause the loss of a buyer for future loads.
- Make sure all containers are rinsed clean.
- Keep the recycling center litter-free.
- Please report any problems encountered while using the drop-off centers to (703) 228-6570.
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