Public Works and Environmental Services
Department Resources
Related Resources
Curbside Recycling
This information applies to County Collection Customers. Approximately 10% of residents receive collection services directly from Fairfax County Government. For questions about private service, please contact your provider directly or view the list of Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
Still not sure if you are a county collection customer? Find out by visiting, "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?"
Customers are provided with one 95-gallon trash cart and one 95-gallon recycling cart per residence.
To report a damaged or missing trash or recycling cart, please complete the form below.
For damaged carts, please leave the cart at the curb on your regular collection day so our repair technician can access it.
If you would prefer to submit your request over the phone, please call 703-802-3322, TTY 711.
This subscription service applies to residents who receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Only about 10% of residents in Fairfax County use this service. The other 90% of residents and businesses receive trash collection from private companies.
Not sure if you are a County Collection Customer? Visit "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?
If you use a private collector, please contact them directly for assistance.
Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?
County
About ten percent (10%) of residents in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Unsure if you are a county collection customer? Visit "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?"
Private
Ninety percent (90%) of residents and businesses in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling service from a private collection company. Residents are billed by the collection company or pay via their Homeowner Association fees. Please contact your provider directly regarding services. View the list Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
County
About ten percent (10%) of residents in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Unsure if you are a county collection customer? Use the map below to find out.
Private
Ninety percent (90%) of residents and businesses in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling service from a private collection company. Residents are billed by the collection company or pay via their Homeowner Association fees. Please contact your provider directly regarding services. View the list Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
Weather-Related Service Notice – November 9, 2026
Due to windy conditions, both the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex will not be accepting loose paper, cardboard, or trash.
- Contractors: All paper, cardboard, and trash must be bagged before disposal.
- Residents: Please place paper, cardboard, and trash directly into the compactors (no loose material).
These temporary measures are in place to maintain safe and efficient operations during the high-wind conditions.
Trash & Recycling Collection – Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Please be advised there will be no change to the trash and recycling collection schedule for Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (Veterans Day). If you receive service from a private hauler, please contact them directly to confirm their schedule.
Administrative Office
Our administrative office will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12.
Disposal Sites
The Recycling and Disposal Centers at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex will remain open on Wednesday, November 11.
If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 703-802-3322 or email DPWESSWMPTrashCS@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Sign up to receive email updates by subscribing to Fairfax County Trash/Recycling Collection E-Updates.
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling improves our public health by reducing carbon emissions, providing local jobs, and conserving natural resources. The biggest problem facing the recycling industry is contamination caused by the wrong items being thrown into recycling carts.
Fairfax County is required to provide a recycling system to its Sanitary District customers. Cardboard and mixed paper recycling is mandatory for all businesses and institutions. Details about material types, collection frequency, reporting requirements, etc. can be found in Chapter 109.1 as well as the Fairfax County Recycling Program Requirements.
Collections - Click tabs for more information
- Trash carts (gray) are for household trash only. Do not use these carts for recycling or yard waste. Carts provided by the County should not be loaded to more than 50 pounds.
- Recycle carts (blue) are used for recycling only. Do not use these carts for trash or yard waste. Do not place plastic bags in your recycling cart.
- The homeowner is responsible for storing and cleaning the carts.
- If a cart is damaged or missing, you may report this online at Trash/Recycling Cart Request or by calling 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Trash and recycling may be left if improperly prepared for collection.
- Set your carts out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
- Don’t place containers at the curb more than 1 day before your collection day; remove them within 24 hours after collection.
- Trash collection is for wastes accumulated from normal household activities only.
- Secure carts to keep contents from spilling onto street.
- Bag household trash before placing it in the trash cart.
- All trash must be placed inside the county provided cart. Trash or recycling, other than collapsed cardboard, placed outside the county-provided cart will not be collected. No privately-owned carts will be serviced. For extra service please contact customer service by calling 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Fairfax County is not responsible for items not intended for collection that are placed next to trash/recycle carts, or for damage to or loss of personal trash containers.
Recycling Right in Fairfax County
Keeping communities clean and healthy. The curbside recycling program is designed to collect specific materials. See which items you should always place in the cart. Keep them clean, loose, and dry. These items should never be placed in the curbside recycling cart.
Trash and Recycling Customer Guidelines
Download the Trash & Recycling Customer Guidelines for a printable version of set-out instructions, cart information, and what can be recycled at the curb. You will also find this year’s refuse fee information, as well as guidance on how to handle household hazardous waste and yard waste.
