Recycling in the DC Metro Area

Nationally, 32% of total refuse is recycled. In New York, 34% is recycled, in San Jose 60% is. One would think that DC keeps pace with other bigger cities, but that is not the case. DC falls well below the national average with only 22% of our area’s trash being recycled. In a town with so many environmental organizations and environmental activism, this is pretty shameful.

Recycling can be unnecessarily confusing. There are always questions about what can be recycled and what can’t. Fortunately, the DC metropolitan area has seen a big jump in the number of items that can be recycled in recent years. This makes it easier to recycle, but it’s still important to know the rules.

First, if you live in a large condo or apartment building, chances are that your property management company has an agreement with a recycling contractor. This means you need to contact the property management company to find out what recyclables they will accept.

For everybody else, the rules regarding your recycling program are dictated by your local government.

DC Residents: If you live in DC, you have it pretty easy. All of your recyclables can be tossed into one recycling bin. Please keep non-recyclables out of your bin and try to rinse and empty any food containers. You can find a complete list of recyclables and non-recyclables HERE.

Alexandria Residents: You probably recognize the yellow bins on the side of the road on garbage day. These bins take all of your recyclables and should be set out the same day as your trash collection. To see the list of items Alexandria recycles, click HERE.

Arlington County Residents: If you live in a single family home, a duplex or a townhouse, you qualify for curbside recycling. Unfortunately, Arlington currently only recycles narrow-necked plastic containers marked 1 & 2. All other recyclable plastic containers must be dropped off at recycling centers, the locations of which you can find HERE.  By April 1, 2009, Arlington plans to expand its curbside recycling program to include other plastics. Other information about Arlington recycling programs can be found HERE.

City of Fairfax Residents: All households are required to recycle plastic, milk, soda and water jugs, glass bottles and jars, metal and aluminum cans, newspapers with inserts, catalogs, magazines and flattened cardboard and paperboard. The City asks that everything be rinsed and that newspapers be organized in paper or plastic bags. To read more about the rules and how to get a bin, click HERE.

Fairfax County Residents: Fairfax County divides its recycling program into single-family/townhouses and multi-family homes. If you live in a single-family style home, you must use the recycling bin at the curbside as directed by your garbage company. For those living in multi-family homes, your building owner is required to provide recycling for papers, glass, metal, and plastic. To read all of the rules, click HERE.

Falls Church Residents: Recycling in Falls Church saves the city $100,000 in disposal costs per year. As of September ’08, Falls Church residents can place all recyclables into one bin at the curb on their usual garbage pick-up day. To find the Falls Church list of acceptable recyclables, as well as a list of places that will recycle unconventional garbage, click HERE.

Loudoun County Residents: Loudoun County takes a more hands-off approach to recycling. They leave the responsibility of arranging a recycling program to incorporated towns, homeowners associations and private waste collection companies. To find out the recycling rules in your exact area you may have to contact one of these entities by clicking HERE for their phone numbers. There are drop off locations around the county for residents, you can find the list of locations HERE.

Montgomery County Residents: Montgomery County takes its recycling program very seriously. In addition to providing detailed information for residents who live in a variety of housing situations, the County also provides a list of several different untraditional products and how they can be recycled; you can find that list HERE. For single family and town homes, the county offers a curbside pick-up program. Details about curbside pick-up can be found HERE. Apartment and condo recycling is organized by property managers, details of that program can be found HERE.

Prince George’s County Residents: Place your recycling bin/cart at your curb once a week on the regularly scheduled garbage day. There is no need to sort any of the products in your bin. If your bin is full or you don’t have one, a box marked with an X or the word Recycling can be used as a collection container. To find the full list of recyclable garbage, click HERE.

Prince William County Residents: Prince William County offers a few different options for their residents. First, you can choose to recycle at the curbside or at recycling trailers around the County. Next, you have the option to create a backyard composting program using compost bins sold by the County for only $15. Finally, you can bring large recyclables or big bags of recyclables to the PWC Landfill at Balls Ford Road to drop them off. All the information can be found HERE.