Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Arlington
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday. Trash is picked up once per week on your neighborhood's designated collection day.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as regular trash collection using the blue cart.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day using the green organics cart or biodegradable paper bags.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
The residential Household Solid Waste fee is billed quarterly as part of your combined Arlington County water, sewer, and refuse utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online (CAPP Portal), Auto-Pay (Direct Debit), Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Payment arrangements and utility assistance programs are available for qualifying low-income residents; no specific senior citizen trash discount is listed.
Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged. Place the black cart at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before your collection day and no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Pet waste
- ✓Glass not taken to purple bins
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose inside the blue cart. Never bag your recycling in plastic bags, as they jam the processing machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film wrap
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam packing materials
- ✕Household hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Place organic waste loose in the green cart or inside compostable/paper bags. Large unbundled brush requires scheduling a special pickup through the county.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
- ✓Food scraps (meat, dairy, bones, produce)
- ✓Food-soiled paper napkins and pizza boxes
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day (for standard non-metal bulk)
Placement
Place eligible bulk items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Standard household items under 500 lbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Metal appliances and white goods
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Construction debris (concrete, dirt)
- ✕ Hazardous materials
While standard household bulk is free, Metal/Appliance Pickup and E-waste MUST be scheduled in advance through the county website or by calling 703-228-5000.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For most minor federal holidays (like MLK Day or July 4th), trash is collected on your normal schedule. However, for major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, collection shifts one day forward for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and food scraps collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as regular trash and recycling.
Always ensure your bins are out by 6:00 a.m. even on holiday weeks, as pickup times can fluctuate.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November to DecemberArlington conducts its annual Fall Vacuum Leaf Collection [4.1.9]. Neighborhoods receive two passes based on a designated civic association map. Residents can track the progress of leaf vacuum trucks online.
Winter
JanuaryThe county typically collects Christmas trees curbside during the first two full weeks of January. Trees must be bare—free of all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands—so they can be chipped into mulch.
Spring and Summer
March to SeptemberArlington asks residents to practice 'grasscycling'—leaving short clippings on the lawn. Not only does this naturally fertilize your turf, but it keeps heavy, wet grass out of the county's energy-from-waste facility.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans and Bottles into Cash in Arlington!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for those soda cans and water bottles? While Arlington itself doesn't have specific buyback centers right in the county, Virginia has a state bottle redemption program. Keep an eye out for those Virginia Redemption Value (VRV) labels on your drinks. You can take qualifying containers to participating retailers or redemption centers throughout the state to get your deposit back. For scrap metal, you'll want to look a bit further afield. Arlington has some scrap yards nearby in neighboring areas of Northern Virginia or DC that take various metals. It's worth a quick search for 'scrap metal yards Northern Virginia' to find the closest one when you've got old appliances or metal odds and ends to get rid of.
Giving Your Unwanted Stuff a Second Life in Arlington
Before tossing something that's still in decent shape, think about donating it! Arlington has some fantastic places that would love your gently used items. Consider donating clothing, household goods, and furniture to the Arlington Free Clinic Thrift Shop. Goodwill also has locations nearby that accept a wide range of donations. If you've got larger items like furniture or building materials, Habitat for Humanity ReStores in nearby Alexandria or Falls Church are always looking for contributions. It’s a great way to help out neighbors and keep things out of the landfill.
Keeping Our Streets Clean: Tackling Dumping in Arlington
Nobody likes seeing trash illegally dumped in our beautiful Arlington neighborhoods. If you spot any illegal dumping, it's super important to report it right away. The Arlington County Government has a system for this. You can typically report it through their website or by calling their solid waste division. They often have special collection days for hazardous waste, like electronics and paint, which is way better than trying to dump it on the side of the road. Staying on top of this helps keep Arlington clean for everyone.
Drop-off Facilities
Trades Center Recycling Drop-Off Center
2700 S Taylor St, Arlington, VA 22206
Materials Accepted
Quincy Park Recycling Drop-Off Center
Washington Blvd & N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201
Materials Accepted
Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) & Electronics Center
565 31st St S, Arlington, VA 22202
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put food scraps in my Arlington yard waste bin?
Yes! Arlington allows residents to co-collect food scraps directly in the green organics cart [2.3.1]. You can dispose of meat, bones, dairy, and fruit peels. It is recommended to use certified compostable bags or paper bags for your kitchen scraps before tossing them in.
How do I dispose of a mattress or large couch in Arlington?
You do not need to schedule an appointment for standard household bulk items weighing under 500 pounds, such as mattresses or couches. Simply place them at the curb next to your black trash cart by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day.
Does my trash schedule change on federal holidays?
For most holidays like Independence Day or MLK Jr. Day, your trash is collected on its normal schedule. The county only implements a 'holiday slide' for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, pushing collection back one day for the remainder of the week.
Why didn't they pick up my glass in the blue recycling bin?
Arlington banned glass from the single-stream blue recycling carts because it breaks easily and contaminates paper bales. You must take your glass jars and bottles to one of the purple drop-off bins located throughout the county, or place them in your black trash cart.