Recycling

The recycling program is tasked with providing recycling collection to eligible single-family homes; encouraging recycling at home, school, and work; as well as providing education about recycling and setting up recycling collection programs.

Page updated on Sep 24, 2020 at 12:44 PM

Child with Recycling Bin

Recycling is an everyday way to fight climate change. Recycling saves natural resources, energy and money.  

    What's New

    Glass with Labels and LidsCity Joins Region in Removing Glass from Curbside Collection to Ensure Recyclability

    Effective January 15, 2020, customers who receive City recycling service must bring glass containers to one of the region’s 25 “purple bin” drop-off locations to ensure the glass will be recycled. 

    Recycled Glass Used in Sandbags for Hurricane Isaias Response

    Sandbag_distro On August 3, the City of Alexandria distributed sandbags to residents and businesses in advance of Hurricane Isaias. Some of the sandbags that were distributed were filled with sand made from glass that Alexandria residents have deposited in the purple, glass-only drop-off recycling bins in city and around the region! Glass placed in the bins is processed at a Fairfax County facility, where it is crushed into gravel and sand or recycled into new glass products! So, if you picked up a sandbag and thought it smelled just a little bit like wine, you weren't imagining things; the sand was created, in part, from your recycled wine and beer bottles! Read more about the purple bin program. 

    Recycle Right Alexandria Sorting Game

    Recycle_Right_AlexandriaThe Resource Recovery Division received the Virginia Recycling Association's "Show Me the Way Award" for the new Recycle Right sorting game! The award recognizes organizations that have taken actions to have a positive impact on people's understanding of how to recycle. The City's new sorting game teaches children age 7 and up to properly sort recyclables, yard waste, and trash. Test your knowledge of sorting using City services and build your own digital Alexandria park. Visit  alexandriava.recycle.game to play!  

    No Plastic Bags in the Recycling Bin

    No Plastic Bags

    Alexandria's recycling processor no longer accepts plastic bags or film of any type in our residential recycling collections. Plastic bags get caught in the sorting machinery creating maintenance shut downs and safety problems for workers. Therefore, please return plastic bags to local grocery stores for recycling. To find the nearest plastic bag drop-off location, click here.

       
     

    Stay Connected

      Sign Up for Solid Waste & Recycling eNews - Would you like to receive more information about recycling and solid waste programs? Need a quick reminder when service will be delayed due to a holiday? With the City of Alexandria's free eNews service, you receive updates about recycling and solid waste, in addition to more than 80 additional topics that may interest you.

      City of Alexandria Recycling Information

      Recycling at Home

      Information for renters and home owners about what, when, where, why and how to recycle at apartments, condos, home owner associations, and single family homes.

      Recycling at Work

      Information for property managers, tenants and employees about recycling requirements and what, when, where, why and how to recycle at non-residential buildings.

      Recycling On the Go

         Information about recycling at public buildings and special events in the City of Alexandria.

      Recycling Drop-Off Centers

       Information about the City's drop-off recycling centers in the City of Alexandria.

      Glass Recycling

       Information about glass recycling in the City of Alexandria.   

      Where Do Recyclables Go?

       Information about where the City's recyclables go.


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