Refuse Collection

The City of Alexandria collects trash from its residential customers once a week on a designated collection day, Monday through Thursday. Residential customers are charged a Solid Waste User Fee on the residential tax bill on a bi-yearly basis.
Page updated on February 10, 2022 at 11:54 AM

General Curbside Trash Collection

Photo of person standing beside a trash truck as a residential trash cart is emptied

The City generally provides one 64-gallon trash can, free of charge, to households that receive City-provided trash collection (except in Old Town). Trash cans are City property and must remain at your residence if you move. Another City-issued trash may be purchased if needed, but remains the property of the City of Alexandria.

Collection in Old Town  

If you live in Old Town Alexandria or in a town home community with limited access, your location may prevent the use of the 64-gallon trash cans. Please use approved trash containers to store bagged trash outdoors.

Set Out Times  

Set out trash and recycling containers no earlier than 5 p.m. the day prior to collection, and no later than 6 a.m. on collection day:

  • Holiday "Slide": If a City-recognized holiday is observed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, trash, recycling, and yard waste collection 'slides' one day later that week (except for Thanksgiving when trash and recycling crews provide a Thursday collection on schedule). View the  Holiday Collection Calendar.  
  • Inclement Weather: If there is a delay for inclement weather, residents will be notified through the City Website and eNews.
  • From May 1 through September 30, all refuse and recycling materials should be placed for collection prior to 6 a.m. This time change allows collection crews to avoid the heat of spring and summer by starting pickup operations an hour earlier.  

Collection Day  

Please refer to the online map to determine your collection day.

Set Out Placement  

In most single family neighborhoods, City crews collect household trash, recycling, and yard waste at the curb. In most Old Town neighborhoods, collection takes place in alleys. If you are unsure where to place your trash, please call the Resource Recovery Division at 311 or 703.746.4311.

Backdoor Services (Walk-Out Services)

For elderly and physically-challenged residents, collection crews will remove trash and recycling from separate containers at the door. Yard waste collection is not offered. Residents can request this service by mailing a completed Walk-Out Service Request Form to:

Resource Recovery Division
RE: Walk-Out Service Request
2900-B Business Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
311 or 703.746.4311

What Goes Where?

The City has launched a new resource that makes sorting items for recycling and trash collection easier. "What Goes Where" is a new web application that enables residents to find information on which items - such as rechargeable batteries, plastic bags, clothing and glass bottles - can be donated, repaired, recycled, composted, disposed of, and more. Visit the Resource Recovery site to use the new resource.

Ineligible Materials: Where to Take Them

The following items are NOT ACCEPTABLE for curbside collection:

Ammunition/Explosives: Residents should call the Police Department's non-emergency number for disposal; 703-838-4444.

Construction/Building Materials: Includes Asphalt, Brick, Cement, Ceramic, Cinder Block, Concrete, Drywall, Marble, Porcelain, and Slate. To recycle the materials, use MWCOG Builder's Recycling Guide for local recycling facilities for a specific material. These materials can also be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities.

Radioactive/Biological Materials: Contact private disposal company, e.g.: Clean Harbors, 540-977-3181; Clean Venture, Inc., 757-543-0185 or Potomac Environmental, 804-288-5043.

Rocks, Dirt, & Sand: To recycle the materials, use MWCOG Builder's Recycling Guide for local recycling facilities for a specific material. These materials can also be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities.

Stumps: These materials can be brought to local solid waste disposal facilities (several are listed below).

Thermometers and Thermostats: Containing mercury, bring to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.

Local Solid Waste Disposal Facilities

Drivers dropping off waste items at Covanta should enter the facility at the southern entrance , closest to the police impound lot, and check in at the scale house.

Please call local disposal facilities to learn more about acceptable materials, how to prepare materials, and the cost of disposal.  

Covanta Waste-to-Energy Facility*
5301 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA
703.370.7722
Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Materials NOT accepted as trash: Stumps, rocks, dirt, sand, pressurized cylinders/tanks, metal items*, construction and building debris, hazardous waste, ammunition/explosives, regulated medical waste and radioactive/geological materials.

Refrigerators and Dehumidifiers No Longer Accepted for Disposal at Covanta Waste to Energy Facility  

Appliances that contain a refrigerant are no longer accepted for disposal as scrap metal at the Covanta Waste to Energy facility, located on Eisenhower Ave. If you receive disposal services from the City, please call the Resource Recovery Division at Alex311 or 703.746.4311 to make an appointment for curbside collection pick up. Residents who do not receive City refuse collection services should visit alexandriava.gov/Recycle for disposal instructions.  

*Alexandria residents can drop off small amounts of trash and debris, as well as, metal items for recycling once a week, (limit 500 pounds) free-of-charge at Covanta. Upon arrival, check in at the scale house for instructions. 

Other Local Solid Waste Disposal Facilities

Please call local disposal facilities to learn more about acceptable materials, how to prepare materials, and the cost of disposal.  
* Due to ongoing changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19, certain locations and services may have temporarily closed or modified operations. Please call before driving.

Alexandria Waste Recovery Facility 
625 Burnside Place, Alexandria, VA  
703.823.5009

Potomac Landfill
3730 Greentree Lane, Dumfries, VA
703.690.6040

Waste Management Northeast Transfer Station 
2100 Queens Chapel Rd. NE Washington, DC 20018
202.526.1965

Public Trash and Recycling Containers

The Resource Recovery Division is responsible for maintaining all City-owned trash and recycling containers located throughout the City for use by the general public. These containers are located along public thoroughfares and in parks for the convenience of residents and visitors.  It is against the law to dispose of household or business trash in these containers. The crews maintain approximately 1,600 public waste collection containers throughout the City.