Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Alexandria
Virginia curbside collection runs weekly from Monday through Friday. Your exact pickup day depends on your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
Virginia DEQ regulations strictly prohibit lead-acid batteries, motor oil, and whole waste tires in curbside bins.
City-provided Cart (usually black or dark green) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged before being placed in the 64-gallon city-provided cart. Set out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day prior and no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓General household waste
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue container. Never bag your recycling in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, mail)
- ✓Emptied and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass containers of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags, wrap, or film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Food-soiled paper or pizza boxes
- ✕Pots, pans, and scrap metal
Yard Waste Bin
Place in rigid, customer-provided reusable containers or brown paper yard-waste bags. Do not use your city-issued trash container for yard waste. Adhesive 'yard waste' labels are available from the city upon request.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and branches
- ✓Dead plants
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day
Placement
Place items curbside or in the alleyway next to your regular trash bin on your standard collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large wooden furniture
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Bulky non-metal household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Automobile parts
- ✕ Rocks and dirt
- ✕ Building and construction materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste
While standard bulk trash requires no appointment, bulk METAL items (appliances, exercise equipment, chain-link fencing) DO require a scheduled service request via Alex311 and may incur a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a City-recognized holiday falls on Monday through Thursday, collection 'slides' one day later for the rest of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday slide schedule as trash and recycling.
Thanksgiving is the one major exception to the holiday slide rule. Trash and recycling crews work on Thanksgiving to provide Thursday collections on schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
May through SeptemberFrom May 1 to September 30, a heat-safety policy goes into effect. All bins must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. to accommodate earlier crew start times.
Autumn
October through DecemberDuring peak leaf collection season, residents are asked to keep their paper leaf bags separate from other woody yard debris to streamline the specialized composting and mulching processes.
Winter
JanuaryThe city offers seasonal Christmas tree collection. Trees must be completely stripped of all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands, and placed at the regular collection point on your normal trash day.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Junk into Bucks in Alexandria!
Did you know you can get a little cash back for certain recyclables right here in the Northern Virginia area? While Alexandria itself might not have tons of specific buyback centers, the state of Virginia does have a bottle and can redemption program. Look for the 5-cent deposit on many beverage containers, and take them to participating retailers or redemption centers in the broader Northern Virginia region. For scrap metal, there are yards in the surrounding counties that will take items like old appliances (make sure to remove refrigerants first!) or scrap cars. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling Northern Virginia" will point you in the right direction to find a yard that pays by weight.
Give Your Good Stuff a Second Life in Old Town & Beyond!
Before tossing those gently used clothes, furniture, or household goods, think about donating them! Alexandria has some fantastic local spots. The ARC of Northern Virginia, located nearby, is a great option that supports individuals with disabilities. You can also check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Richmond Highway. They accept furniture, building materials, and home décor, and the proceeds help build homes in the community. Even smaller, local thrift shops often appreciate donations and help keep good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Our Streets Spotless: Alexandria's Anti-Dumping Efforts
Alexandria City residents have a voice when it comes to keeping our neighborhoods clean. If you see illegal dumping, don't just walk away! You can report it directly to the City of Alexandria. They have a dedicated process to address these issues. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events organized by local groups or the city itself. Participating is a super rewarding way to connect with neighbors and make a visible difference in our beautiful city. Checking the City of Alexandria's official website for "neighborhood services" or "waste management" will often have details on reporting and upcoming clean-up initiatives.
Drop-off Facilities
Eisenhower Ave Drop-Off Center
4251 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA
Materials Accepted
Colvin St Drop-Off Center
3224 Colvin St, Alexandria, VA
Materials Accepted
Jones Point Park Drop-Off Center
S. Royal St. and Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Alexandria's holiday trash schedule work?
Alexandria uses a 'holiday slide' schedule. If a recognized holiday falls between Monday and Thursday, all collections are pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. The only exception is Thanksgiving; Thursday collections operate on their normal schedule.
Can I put glass bottles in my blue recycling bin?
No. Alexandria permanently removed glass from curbside recycling in 2020. You must bring empty glass bottles and jars to one of the city's purple drop-off bins, located at places like 4251 Eisenhower Ave and 3224 Colvin St.
Do I need to schedule a pickup for a large couch or mattress?
For non-metal bulky items like couches, mattresses, or wooden furniture, no appointment is necessary. You can simply place them next to your trash cart on your regular collection day. However, metal items and appliances do require an Alex311 request and a fee.
How can I recycle my food scraps in Alexandria?
Eligible residents can sign up for the city's voluntary curbside food waste composting program for $5 a month, which provides a dedicated 7-gallon cart. Alternatively, you can drop off your compostable food scraps for free at various farmers' market locations across the city.