Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon – Fri
703-802-3322 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 458, Fairfax, Va 22035
County Collection Customer
Service Center

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Special Pickup

This information applies to COUNTY collection customers who receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. If you receive services from a PRIVATE collector, contact them directly for information.
Unsure if you are a county collection customer? Visit "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?"

Trash and Recycling Customer Announcements:

There are no announcements at this time.

To receive trash and recycling email updates, subscribe to Fairfax County Trash/Recycling Collection E-Updates.

On This Page

Special Pickup Instructions

Accepted Materials

How To Schedule A Special Pickup

Gallery - Set Out Examples

Missed Special Pickup

Sustainable Options

Included Service

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.

• Computers & peripherals (e.g. printers, monitors, hard drives, keyboards)
• Phones
• Cameras
• Televisions
• Portable gaming devices
• Audio/Video equipment

For more information about disposal, visit Electronic Waste 

Appliances and other metal items.

• Stove
• Washers/Dryers
• Metal shelves
• Bedframes
• Metal fencing
• Grills (no propane tanks)
• Exercise equipment
• Water heater

Any item not on the list of accepted materials will not be collected.

How To Schedule A Special Pickup

How To Schedule a Special Pickup

You can schedule a Special Pickup online or by phone.

Schedule Online
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

Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards
Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards

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 inch diameter

Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max and over 6 feet long

Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max and over 6 feet long

Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max

Unacceptable - Brush over 2 yard max

Acceptable - Proper placement of Single Item

Acceptable - Proper placement of Single Item

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

Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards

Acceptable - Proper placement and under 2 yards

Unacceptable - Over 2 yards of acceptable materials

Unacceptable - Over 2 yards of acceptable materials

Unacceptable materials

Unacceptable materials

Unacceptable materials

Unacceptable materials [cardboard]

Unacceptable - Over 2 yards

Unacceptable - Over 2 yards

Unacceptable - Placement Under Power Lines and Tree Branches

Unacceptable - Placement Under Power Lines and Tree Branches

Unacceptable - Less than 20 foot clearance on all sides

Unacceptable - Less than 20 foot clearance on all sides

Missed Special pickup

Missed Special Pickup

Before contacting customer service about a missed Special Pickup, be sure to check the Special Pickup Instructions and Accepted Materials.

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.

More About Recycing and Trash

Customers

Recycling and Trash Home
Fairfax County Residents
County Collection Customers
Trash and Disposal Industry
Businesses
Educators, Ambassadors and Students

Services

Pay Bill Online
Apply for a Permit
Schedule a Special Pickup (Customers only)
Report Missed Pickup (Customers only)
Request Trash/Recycling Cart Repair/Replace (Customers only)
Vacuum Leaf Collection (Leaf Customers only)
Report Litter
Request A Tour or Guest Speaker
Mulch

More Resources

Locations, Hours, Phone
Recycle or Trash - What Goes Where?
A- Z Index of Topics
FAQs
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Publications, Plans and County Code
Forms and Applications
Safety
Subscribe to Fairfax Recycler
Contact Us
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