Alexandria residents living in detached, single-family homes, duplexes, and some townhouses with four or fewer units are required users of this fee-based service. The Solid Waste User Fee for each customer is assessed on their bi-yearly tax assessment bill. These fees may be found online on the  City's Fee Compendium Page. Commercial properties and condominium complexes are not required users but may participate at the City’s discretion for a fee. 

To determine if you are eligible for City recycling service, visit: realestate.alexandriava.gov, click on search properties and enter your address, then click on tax history.  You should be able to see a Refuse Fee assessed for each tax year.  

Schedule of Collection 
Trash and recycling are collected once weekly, Monday through Thursday. Please refer to the  Refuse Map to determine your collection day.

Trash Set Out Time
Set out trash and recycling containers no earlier than 5 p.m. the day prior to collection, and no later than 6 a.m. on collection day. 

From May 1 through September 30, all refuse and recycling materials should be placed for collection prior to 6 a.m. This time change allows collection crews to avoid the heat of spring and summer by starting pickup operations an hour earlier.  

If a City-recognized holiday is observed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, trash, recycling, and yard waste collection 'slides' one day later that week (except for Thanksgiving when trash and recycling crews provide a Thursday collection on schedule). View the Holiday Collection Calendar.  

If there is a delay for inclement weather, residents will be notified through the City Website and eNews.

In most single family neighborhoods, City crews collect household trash, recycling, and yard waste at the curb. In most Old Town neighborhoods, collection takes place in alleys. If you are unsure where to place your trash, please call the Resource Recovery Division at Alex311 or 703.746.4311.

If you live in Old Town Alexandria or in a town home community with limited access, your location may prevent the use of the 64-gallon trash cans. Please use approved trash containers to store bagged trash outdoors.

To place a ticket regarding a broken trash cart, please visit Alex311. If you need further assistance, call 311 or 703.746.4311.

Note: The trash container is property of the City of Alexandria and assigned to each property. Please do not relocate the recycling containers or remove them from their assigned property. 

Your preparation of material for collection is critical for us to recover resources, ensure safe collection, and leave the area neat and clean. If your material is not collected by the end of the day, check for an oops tag that explains why the City could not collect.

COMMON PROBLEMS INCLUDE

• Collection container, bag, or item is too heavy
• Items such as carpet or lumber longer than 4 feet
• Contains unacceptable items such as construction debris, dirt, brick, and stones (residents should call a private hauler to dispose of these items)
• Dangerous or messy liquids such as gasoline and undried paint

No oops tag? Request a “Missed Collection” ticket on Alex311. If you need further assistance, call 311 or 703.746.4311.

For elderly and physically-challenged residents, collection crews will remove trash and recycling from separate containers at the door. Yard waste collection is not offered. Residents can request this service by mailing a completed Walk-Out Service Request Form to:

Resource Recovery Division
RE: Walk-Out Service Request
2900-B Business Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
311 or 703.746.4311

The following items are NOT ACCEPTABLE for curbside collection:

Ammunition/Explosives: Residents should call the Police Department's non-emergency number for disposal; 703-838-4444.

Construction/Building Materials: Includes Asphalt, Brick, Cement, Ceramic, Cinder Block, Concrete, Drywall, Marble, Porcelain, and Slate. To recycle the materials, use MWCOG Builder's Recycling Guide for local recycling facilities for a specific material. These materials can also be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities.

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics & Rechargeable Batteries: Bring to the City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site for free disposal.

Radioactive/Biological Materials: Contact private disposal company, e.g.: Clean Harbors, 540-977-3181; Clean Venture, Inc., 757-543-0185 or Potomac Environmental, 804-288-5043.

Rocks, Dirt, & Sand: To recycle the materials, use MWCOG Builder's Recycling Guide for local recycling facilities for a specific material. These materials can also be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities.

Stumps: These materials can be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities (several are listed below).

Thermometers and Thermostats: Containing mercury, bring to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.

The City has a resource that makes sorting items for recycling and trash collection easier. "What Goes Where" is a new web application that enables residents to find information on which items - such as rechargeable batteries, plastic bags, clothing and glass bottles - can be donated, repaired, recycled, composted, disposed of, and more. Visit the Resource Recovery site to use the new resource.

For information on local solid waste disposal facilities, please visit this website. 

The City provides weekly recycling and yard waste collection separate from trash.