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.
Page updated on October 18, 2022 at 11:39 AM

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. 

COVANTA Waste-to-Energy Facility

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.

*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. 

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.

COVANTA Operating Protocols

In order to protect staff and members of the public, COVANTA Waste-to-Energy Facility is following the below procedures:

  • City of 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. 
  • To avoid wait times or getting stuck in line with refuse truck traffic, use the bypass lane to the far right to check in with the scalehouse. Be mindful of traffic cones, barricades, signage, and gates that may be used to aid in traffic flow.
  • The drop-off center is for Alexandria residents ONLY. Residents must show proof of residency by showing government ID (e.g., a driver’s license) or a utility bill to staff at the scale house. Contractors will be turned away for the residential public drop off. 
  • Covanta employees are not available to assist in unloading your vehicle. Be sure you can safely lift the trash out of your vehicle and into the dumpster yourself, or bring someone along to help.
  • Refrigerators, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers are not accepted for disposal at COVANTA. If you are a City of Alexandria resident, please take all refrigerant containing items to the City's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronics Recycling Center. 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 for a fee of $20 per appliance. If you are not a resident in the City of Alexandria, please refer to your residing jurisdiction's website regarding solid waste. 
  • Please note: Materials NOT accepted as trash include stumps, rocks, dirt, sand, pressurized cylinders/tanks, construction and building debris (ex. dry wall, concrete, tile, roofing material, paint), hazardous waste, ammunition/explosives, regulated medical waste, tires, televisions or other electronics, liquids, and radioactive/geological materials.
  • For your safety, no scavenging of the dumpster is allowed. Nothing may be removed from the dumpster.
  • For the safety of workers and visitors, COVANTA reserves the right to turn away residents failing to follow facility rules and safety instructions. 

Other Disposal Facilities

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

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

Disclaimer

This is not an endorsement of any of the businesses or individuals listed nor is it an official list or publication of the City of Alexandria. It is offered as an informal resource and is not exhaustive of all similarly focused facilities in the local area.  If you would like to add or remove your facility to this list of resources, please e-mail us at WasteSmart@alexandriava.gov.