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Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia
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Public Works and Environmental Services

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  3. Recycling and Trash
  4. Animal Carcass Disposal

Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
703-324-5230 TTY 711
trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 458, Fairfax, Va 22035
@ffxPublicWorks
Eric Forbes
Director, Solid Waste Management

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Animal Carcass Disposal

 

Trash and Recycling Notice:

The Furnace Road entrance to the I-95 Landfill Complex Permanent Closure on Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program Launches Request for Expressions of Interest to Shape the Future of Waste, Recycling, and Zero Waste Innovation

Animal Carcass on State Road

Regardless of size or type of animal, report the problem to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at myVDOT or call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

Who Picks Up Your Trash?

Fairfax County Collection Customers: Fairfax County DOES NOT pick up animal carcasses.

Private Collection Customers: Check with your private hauler to determine if they pick up animal carcasses.


Animal Carcass

  • Disposal should be handled quickly to avoid potential health hazards.
  • Small Animals (25 lbs. or less): Double bag, place in regular trash. If the hauler will not collect, take to one of the disposal complexes or bury on private property.
  • Large Animals (over 25 lbs.): Bury on private property or call your veterinarian or rendering company.
  • The above does not apply to veterinary operations, butchering remains or any other commercial enterprise.
  • Homeowner or hunter butchering remains: Double bag, place in regular trash. If the hauler will not collect, take to one of the disposal complexes.
  • Veterinary and any other commercial enterprise must comply with all business waste disposal regulations.

  • Only on the private property of the animal’s owner. A tenant must first obtain permission from the property owner.
  • Deep enough to prevent a nuisance to the neighbors.
  • Deep enough to cover the top of the animal with at least two (2) feet of compacted soil to prevent scavengers from unearthing the animal.
  • At least 100 feet from domestic water supply wells.
  • At least 25 feet from ponds and streams.
  • Applying ground limestone helps neutralize odors.

Animal carcasses from sites engaged in raising or husbandry of domestic livestock must comply with all federal and Virginia regulations, to include the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations.

View the DEQ Solid Waste guidance on Animal Carcasses.

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    Fairfax, VA 22035

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