Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burke
Trash Day
Collection schedules depend on your neighborhood and provider. For county-serviced Sanitary Districts, trash is collected once per week Monday through Friday based on your street route. For neighborhoods served by private haulers or HOAs, collection days are set directly by your contracted hauler.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same designated service day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly during the yard waste season (March 1 through December 24) on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residents in designated county Sanitary Districts pay for trash and recycling through their annual Fairfax County property tax assessment. Most other Burke residents are billed directly by their private hauler or have costs included in their HOA dues.
Billing Cycle
Annually or Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Fairfax County offers real estate tax relief and special backdoor collection assistance for qualifying seniors (age 65+) and individuals with permanent disabilities.
Varies by private hauler (often Black or Green) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the curbside cart to prevent litter. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Varies by private hauler (often Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely in the bin. Do NOT bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (Plastics #1 & #2 preferred)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire)
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected separately from March 1 to December 24. It must be in compostable paper yard bags or clearly labeled rigid containers. No plastic bags are allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (varies by private contract)
Placement
Place approved items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled special collection day. Do not place under low-hanging tree branches or near parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Indoor furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large unbundled brush (by special request)
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerant items require special handling)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Bricks, dirt, and concrete
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Automobile parts
Bulk pickups often incur an extra fee depending on your private hauler's contract and the size of the load (e.g., starting around $15 per cubic yard over the limit for county customers).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Most private haulers serving Burke observe major holidays. If your collection falls on or after a holiday, service is typically pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The I-66 Transfer Station operates on modified schedules during holidays and is completely closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Because trash pickup is privatized, holiday schedules can vary by HOA and hauler. Always check your specific provider's website for real-time service alerts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, many HOAs and haulers enforce a limit on the number of yard waste bags per pickup (often around 10 bags per household). Mulching leaves into your lawn is highly recommended.
Winter
January to FebruaryDedicated yard waste collection is paused from December 25th through the end of February. Small amounts of organic debris during this time must be bagged and placed in your regular household trash cart.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Cash In Your Bottles & Cans Right Here in Northern Virginia!
Hey Burke neighbors! While Virginia doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program like some other states, you can still turn those empty soda cans and plastic bottles into a little extra cash. Lots of folks around Northern Virginia head to local scrap metal yards. While specific buyback centers can pop up and change, a good bet is to check out places like Fairfax Iron & Metal or similar facilities in the wider Fairfax County area. They often take aluminum cans and other metals. Always give them a quick call first to see what they're buying and their current rates – it's a win-win for your wallet and the environment!
Giving Your Goods a Second Life: Donation Spots for Burke Residents
Before you toss that slightly worn couch or those clothes you just don't wear anymore, think about giving them a new home! There are some fantastic donation spots near Burke that would love your gently used items. Consider checking out the local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores in the surrounding Fairfax and Springfield areas. They accept clothing, household goods, and furniture. For furniture and home decor, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Alexandria is a great option – your donation helps build homes and offers amazing finds for shoppers!
Keeping Burke Beautiful: Tackling Illegal Dumping & Community Sparkle
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be, right? If you ever spot illegal dumping in Burke or the surrounding areas, the best thing to do is report it. In Fairfax County, you can typically contact the county's Solid Waste Management office or use their online reporting system. They take this seriously and appreciate resident help. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events too! Many local civic associations and environmental groups organize these throughout the year, especially around Earth Day. Participating is a great way to meet neighbors and make a real difference right here in our community.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my trash in Burke, VA?
Since Burke is an unincorporated area within Fairfax County, there is no centralized municipal trash collection [1.1.2]. Residents rely on private haulers, such as Republic Services or American Disposal, which are typically contracted individually or managed through local Homeowners Associations (HOAs).
Can I put glass bottles in my recycling cart?
No. Fairfax County has banned glass from all curbside recycling bins. Broken glass contaminates paper bales and damages sorting equipment. You should drop off empty glass containers at one of the regional Purple Can Club locations.
Why didn't my hauler pick up my yard waste bags?
If you placed grass or leaves in standard plastic garbage bags, your hauler is legally required to reject them. Fairfax County mandates that all yard waste must be placed in compostable paper lawn bags or personal rigid containers labeled 'Yard Waste' between March 1 and December 24.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and chemicals?
Household hazardous materials like wet paint, motor oil, and pesticides cannot be thrown in the regular trash. Burke residents should safely transport these items to the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax during their operating hours for safe environmental disposal.