Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burke
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
No Glass in the Blue Bin
Glass breaks and ruins recyclable paper bales. Keep all glass bottles out of your curbside recycling and utilize Fairfax County's Purple Can locations instead [1.4.1].
Return Plastic Bags to the Store
Plastic grocery and trash bags tangle the gears at the recycling sorting facility. Never bag your recyclables, and take thin plastic film to grocery store drop-offs.
The Pizza Box Rule
Cardboard pizza boxes are only recyclable if they are completely free of food chunks and heavy grease. Tear off the heavily soiled bottom half for the trash and recycle the clean top lid.
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.
About Burke Waste Management
Navigating Privatized Trash Collection in Burke
Because Burke is a census-designated place (CDP) within Fairfax County, it does not rely on a centralized municipal trash fleet [1.1.2]. The vast majority of Burke residents and homeowners associations (HOAs) contract independently with private waste management companies, such as Republic Services or American Disposal Services. It is crucial to verify your specific service provider through your HOA or private billing account to determine your exact trash and recycling pickup days.
The Purple Can Club for Glass Recycling
Fairfax County strictly bans glass bottles and jars from single-stream curbside recycling carts. When glass shatters during transit, it severely contaminates paper bales and damages sorting facility equipment. Instead of throwing glass away, Burke residents are encouraged to utilize the regional "Purple Can Club." You can drop off clean, empty glass containers at designated purple bins located throughout the county, such as the one at the I-66 Transfer Station, where the glass is processed into construction gravel and sand.
Mandatory Paper Bags for Yard Waste
To minimize microplastics in local compost, Fairfax County enforces a strict ban on plastic bags for yard debris. From March 1st through December 24th, all yard waste collected at the curb—including grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs—must be placed in compostable paper lawn bags or rigid personal containers clearly labeled "Yard Waste". Private haulers operating in Burke will legally reject any yard debris packaged in standard plastic garbage bags.
Disposing of Excess Junk at the I-66 Transfer Station
When moving, spring cleaning, or handling large renovation projects, residents may produce more waste than private haulers are contracted to collect. For these situations, Burke locals can transport bulk items, electronics, household hazardous waste, and large appliances to the nearby I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road in Fairfax. While standard recycling drop-offs are typically free, significant loads of municipal solid waste will incur weight-based disposal fees.
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.