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.
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.
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.
Special Pickups Service Delays - July 15, 2026
Please be advised that we are currently experiencing delays with Special Pickups. If your Special Pickup service has not yet been completed, please continue to leave your items at the curb or street line so they can be collected as soon as possible. We are actively working to resolve these service delays.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program Launches Request for Expressions of Interest to Shape the Future of Waste, Recycling, and Zero Waste Innovation
Your service includes 5 FREE special collections per customer, per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). You must schedule special collections (Freon, brush/limbs, bulk, electronic waste, and metal) in advance.
Instructions
Special Pickup Instructions
Special Pickups will be limited to 2 cubic yards, or
the equivalent of 6 feet long x 3 feet wide x 3 feet high
There will be a charge to remove piles greater than 2 cubic yards.
When
When you schedule your Special Pickup you will see a confirmation page with the scheduled due date.
Set out items by 6 a.m. on the collection day.
What
Different trucks collect different types of materials. Piles should be separated by type (example: just brush or just metal, not mixed).
Maximum 2 cubic yards of material (a pile about 6 feet long x 3 feet wide x 3 feet high). There will be a charge for piles greater than 2 cubic yards.
See list of Accepted Materials. Any items not on this list will not be collected.
Items must be less than 6 feet long.
Where
Set your items out at the curb/street line.
If materials are placed at a location other than the curb of your address (around the corner or across the street), include instructions in the comments field of the online form.
For safety reasons, there must be a 20 ft. clearance above and on all sides of special collection materials.
Do not place items under utility wires or tree branches.
The County is not responsible for items not intended for collection that are placed near the Special Pickup pile or for damage to or loss of personal trash containers.
Accepted Materials
Accepted Materials
Appliances containing refrigerant or coolant
• Refrigerators/Freezers
• Dehumidifiers
• Air conditioners
Brush refers to
Shrubs
Tree limbs and branches under 6 inches in diameter and under 6 feet in length.
NO LUMBER! NO BAMBOO. (Schedule as Bulk)
• Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers
• Lumber
• Doors
• Mattress & box spring
• Roll of carpet 6 ft. or less
• Wood pallets
• Bamboo
Items must be no longer than 6 feet in length.
Most electronic waste will be disassembled and the parts recycled. Fairfax County is not responsible for the security of data stored on electronic devices placed at the curb for pickup. Please do not include broken electronics as part of an E-waste pickup. Broken electronics should be put out with your regular trash.
Schedule by phone: Call the Customer Service Center at 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Holiday Hours
Special collection services are provided on all holidays except Christmas Day. The Customer Service Center is closed in observance of all Fairfax County holidays.
Gallery - Set Out Examples
Gallery - Set Out Examples
Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards
Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max and over 6 inch diameter
Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max and over 6 feet long
Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max
Acceptable - Proper placement of Single Item
Acceptable - Proper placement of Single Item
Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards
Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards
Unacceptable - Over 2 yards of acceptable materials
Unacceptable materials
Unacceptable materials [cardboard]
Unacceptable - Over 2 yards
Unacceptable - Placement Under Power Lines and Tree Branches
Unacceptable - Less than 20 foot clearance on all sides
Special Pickups may be suspended in severe weather or emergency situations. For service announcements, visit this webpage or subscribe for email updates at Trash Collection Email Updates.
Report missed collections the following business day by 4:30 p.m. using the Solid Waste Feedback Form or by calling customer service at 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Sustainable Options
Sustainable Options
Could someone else use functional items you no longer want? Several service organizations will pick up donated goods that can be used by others.
Before you discard, check to see if a repair is in order. Maybe it needs a good cleaning or a coat of paint.
Many appliance dealers include haul-away service with the delivery of a new item.
When choosing a tree service, make sure you select one that will chip the wood into mulch on site, or will haul away the brush.
