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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 March 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM

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General Curbside Trash (Refuse) Collection

City crews collecting trash carts

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. 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.

Trash Program Information

Do I receive City Trash Service?

Alexandria residents living in detached, single-family homes, duplexes, and some townhouses with four or fewer units are required users of this fee-based service. The Solid Waste User Fee for each customer is assessed on their bi-yearly tax assessment bill. These fees may be found online on the  City's Fee Compendium Page. Commercial properties and condominium complexes are not required users but may participate at the City’s discretion for a fee. 

To determine if you are eligible for City recycling service, visit: realestate.alexandriava.gov, click on search properties and enter your address, then click on tax history.  You should be able to see a Refuse Fee assessed for each tax year.  

Collection Schedule and Set Out Times

Schedule of Collection 
Trash and recycling are collected once weekly, Monday through Thursday. Please refer to the Refuse Pickup Day Map and the Recycle Pickup Day Map to determine your collection day.

Trash Set Out Time
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. 

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.  

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.

Where to Set Out Trash

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 Alex311 or 703.746.4311.

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.

Trash Carts

To place a ticket regarding a broken trash cart, please visit Alex311. If you need further assistance, call 311 or 703.746.4311.

Note: The trash container is property of the City of Alexandria and assigned to each property. Please do not relocate the recycling containers or remove them from their assigned property. 

Missed Pickup

Your preparation of material for collection is critical for us to recover resources, ensure safe collection, and leave the area neat and clean. If your material is not collected by the end of the day, check for an oops tag that explains why the City could not collect.

COMMON PROBLEMS INCLUDE

  • Collection container, bag, or item is too heavy
  • Items such as carpet or lumber longer than 4 feet
  • Contains unacceptable items such as construction debris, dirt, brick, and stones (residents should call a private hauler to dispose of these items)
  • Dangerous or messy liquids such as gasoline and undried paint

No oops tag? Request a “Missed Collection” ticket on Alex311. If you need further assistance, call 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

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.

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics & Rechargeable Batteries: Bring to the City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site for free disposal.

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.

What Goes Where?

The City has a 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.

Local Solid Waste Disposal Facilities

For information on local solid waste disposal facilities, please visit this website. 

Recycling and Yard Waste

The City provides weekly recycling and yard waste collection separate from trash. 

Contact Us
Alex311 | 703.746.4311
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Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

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