Fall 2025 E-CARE Coming November 8
Published on October 31, 2025
Arlington residents can gather their old electronics, household hazardous materials (HHMs) and other hard-to-dispose-of items for drop-off at the County’s free fall Environmental Collection and Recycling (E-CARE) event on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain or shine) at 1425 N. Quincy Street.
E-CARE, also traditionally held in the spring, offers fast, environmentally safe disposal of things and substances that otherwise would take up space in and around the home. Accepted materials include paint products (25-can limit); pesticides; motor oil and solvents; devices containing mercury; fluorescent bulbs; garden and swimming pool chemicals; batteries; smoke detectors; fire extinguishers; propane tanks; and small metal items.
The full, extensive list of accepted (and unaccepted) items and appliances is available at www.arlingtonva.us/E-CARE. Note that business and commercial waste will not be accepted.
Bikes for the World will return this E-CARE to collect donated bicycles and bike parts, to be sent overseas for use in reliable, inexpensive transportation.
New this fall: Gently used Halloween costumes will be accepted for future distribution in the Arlington community. Costumes must be in good or excellent condition (no rips, tears or stains, unless they are part of the costume) and include all wardrobe parts and accessories. Cleaned costumes are encouraged, but used costumes will also be accepted as donations.
The Spring 2025 E-CARE saw more than 1,700 people drop off 40 tons of HHMs, 18 tons of electronics, and nearly three tons of scrap metal. Bikes for the World collected 238 bicycles during the spring event, along with a mix of bike tools, parts and accessories.
E-CARE drop-off is offered exclusively to Arlington residents; bring a photo ID or a recent utility bill to show proof of residence during check-in.
Residents are encouraged to coordinate with neighbors on combining loads to cut down the number of trips to the E-CARE site. Vehicles should be packed in reverse order to make unloading easier: Small metal items go in first, electronics and HHMs next. Place HHMs and electronics in separate cardboard boxes for easy handling and to prevent spills. The cardboard will be recycled.
Can’t make it to E-CARE on Nov. 8? Here’s what you can do to get rid of any accepted materials or items:
- Halloween costumes can be dropped off from Nov. 3 through Nov. 14 at the Solid Waste Bureau (4300 29th St. S) between 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday.
- The HHM Facility at the Water Pollution Control Plant accepts drop-offs year-round (by appointment only, except on Saturdays).
- Arlington’s Solid Waste Bureau offers specific year-round guidance on proper disposal for thousands of household items with the handy online Where Does It Go? database.
- Bikes for the World accepts donations year-round. Call 703-740-7856 or visit the website for more information.
As a reminder, the County’s monthly Free Paper Shredding and Inert Material Drop-off happens Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Solid Waste Bureau. Find more information here.
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