Recycling at Condos, Apartments, and HOAs
General Information
Condominiums, apartments, and Homeowners Association's (HOAs) are required to provide recycling to residents. These entities are subject to the requirements described under Article H of Title 5.
Recycling Information for Residents
Acceptable Materials
Generally accepted recyclable materials include:
- All plastic bottles and jugs
- All metal beverage and food cans
- Newspaper and inserts
- Magazines, catalogs, and phone books
- Junk mail including envelops with windows
- Paperboard (cereal & cracker boxes, paper towel rolls, egg cartons)
- Brown paper bags
- Cardboard boxes (flattened).
Remember to rinse containers. No need to remove labels or lids.
Please view the City's "Yes/No List" for more information on what is recyclable in most recycling collection programs.
Please contact your property manager or owner to find out what is specifically acceptable and how to recycle at your home.
The markets for recycled materials are constantly changing. As these markets change so does the recyclability of various commodities. Please review our Residential Yes/No List for changes to the currently acceptable recycled materials.
Unacceptable Materials
- Plastic Bags, Wrap, & Film - Disposable plastic shopping bags and other plastic films are best recycled in dedicated collection points such as grocery and department stores.
- Please do not put recyclables in plastic bags. Consider using a reusable bag or paper bags to store or carry materials to the recycling.
- Place your recyclables loosely in your City recycling bin or cart. This helps with the sorting of recyclables at our local processing facility.
- Small metal items - (i.e. metal blinds, pots & pans, door knobs, etc.) These items can be recycled at Reworld™ Alexandria:
- Address: 5301 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA
- Phone Number: 703-370-7722
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Alexandria residents only, valid City sticker on your car required. Learn more how to recycle your small metal items at Reworld™.
- Glass Bottles & Jars
- Note: Most single-stream recycling facilities in the region are unable to recycle glass. Glass can be recycled through the regional glass purple bin program. Learn more about the glass recycling and drop-off locations. All City residents can use these centers for free.
- Wax-coated paper (i.e. frozen food boxes, political signs, wax paper, etc.)
- Ceramic Cups and Glasses
- Styrofoam and Packing Peanuts
- Small/large propane tanks (i.e. camping propane tanks).
- Helium Tanks
- Other Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste: Please visit the City's permanent Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Center. All City residents can use this facility for free.
How to Prepare Recyclable Materials
Simple Recycling Guidelines
- Place all recycled materials loosely into your recycling cart or bin. Do not use plastic bags for your recycling.
- Empty and rinse all beverage and food containers.
- Remove newspapers from plastic bags before recycling.
- Empty and flatten cardboard.
- Clearly set your recycling apart from your trash to avoid confusion at collection
Not enough space in your recycling container?
- Do not use plastic garbage or grocery bags to hold recyclable materials.
- Paper grocery bags or cardboard boxes may be used to hold temporary overflows of recycling for weekly collection.
- Use the free Recycling Drop-off Centers for large volumes of recycled materials.
Resource Recovery Services Available for Residents
The following Resource Recovery services are available for all residents in the City. These services below are free and accessible to City residents.
Recycling Information for Property Managers
Businesses, apartment buildings, and condominiums generate two-thirds of all trash and recycling in the City of Alexandria. To help achieve the City's recycling goals, City Council passed Article H of Title 5 requiring business and multi-family property owners to submit a Recycling Implementation Form (RIP form) every two years. For additional information on the program requirements, please see Recycling Implementation Plan website.
Tools to Set up a Recycling Program
The following resources are available to help you begin recycling at your location:
- Recycling Implementation Plan Brochure
- Recycling Yes/No Flyer for Multi-family and Non-Residential Properties
- Working with Janitorial Service Companies
- Sample Language for Janitorial Service Bid or Contract
- List of Permitted Solid Waste Haulers
City staff can assist you by conducting a site visit to determine the types of recyclable materials you can recover; determining the appropriate size, location and frequency of collection containers; assist with appropriate informational signs; and suggesting strategies for reducing waste and informing your tenants about how to participate in the program. If you or someone you know needs assistance establishing a program, working with your service provider, or improving a program already in place, please contact the City's Resource Recovery Division at 703.746.4135.
Special Use Permit Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Storage Space Guidelines
All new non-residential and multi-family construction and large scale renovations are subject to the new special use permit solid waste and recyclable materials storage space requirements. The applicant shall provide storage space for trash and recyclable materials containers as outlined in the City's Solid Waste and Recyclables Materials Storage Space Guidelines, or to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation & Environmental Services. Please contact Planning and Zoning to find out more about permitting requirements. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/Planning or call 703.746.4035.
Support & Contact Information
City staff can assist you by conducting a site visit to determine the types of recyclable materials you can recover; determining the appropriate size, location and frequency of collection containers; assist with appropriate informational signs; and suggesting strategies for reducing waste and informing your tenants about how to participate in the program. If you or someone you know needs assistance establishing a program, working with your service provider, or improving a program already in place, please contact the City's Resource Recovery Division at 703.746.4135 or commercialrecycling@alexandriava.gov.