Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chantilly
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 Gray, Black, or Green) Bin (Trash)
Trash carts must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Ensure all refuse is securely bagged inside the cart to prevent neighborhood litter, and do not exceed the 50-pound weight limit per bag or container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) packaging
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Double-bagged pet waste
Varies by private hauler (often Blue or Blue-lidded) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose inside the recycling cart. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Ensure all accepted containers are empty, rinsed clean, and dried before tossing them in.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and steel food cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (keep caps on)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass containers of any kind
- ✕Plastic shopping bags and film wrap
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire hangers)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be set out in compostable paper lawn bags or personal rigid containers. Brush must be tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 50 pounds. Plastic bags are universally prohibited across the county.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and garden trimmings
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by provider (County customers receive 5 free annual pickups)
Placement
Approved bulk items should be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, taking care not to block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or neighborhood street traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Oversized yard brush
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris (drywall, concrete, bricks)
- ✕ Dirt and large rocks
- ✕ Household hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Automobile parts
Private haulers usually charge an additional fee for bulk item removal. Check directly with your HOA or service provider for an exact quote, or self-haul to the I-66 Transfer Station to save money.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because the vast majority of Chantilly uses private collection companies, holiday schedules are determined by your specific hauler. Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, services shift by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
County-wide yard waste pickup is completely suspended from December 25th through the end of February.
Residents serviced directly by Fairfax County should monitor the county's Public Works website, while private customers should check their specific hauler's app or website for holiday impacts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Plastic grocery bags and shrink wrap jam the sorting machines at the material recovery facility. Never put them in your recycling cart; instead, return them to the designated drop-off bins at local Chantilly grocery stores.
No Glass at the Curb
Just because a glass jar has a recycling symbol does not mean it goes in your curbside cart. Always take your glass to a Purple Can Club drop-off location to keep the recycling stream clean and safe.
Flatten All Cardboard
Unflattened boxes take up too much space and can wedge inside the bin, preventing it from emptying properly into the automated trucks. Always break down and flatten cardboard boxes before recycling.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
March to DecemberCurbside yard waste collection is active from March 1 through December 24. Ensure your lawn clippings are out on your designated yard waste day, separated entirely from your normal household trash.
Autumn
October to DecemberLeaf collection methods vary by your specific hauler in Chantilly. While a few neighborhoods might organize vacuum trucks, most require you to bag your leaves in compostable paper bags or rigid cans.
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are typically collected during the first two weeks of January. They must be completely stripped of all lights, tinsel, decorations, and stands to be accepted for mulching.
About Chantilly Waste Management
Navigating Chantilly's Dual-System Collection
Located along the busy Route 50 corridor in western Fairfax County, the unincorporated community of Chantilly relies on a decentralized waste management system. While a small fraction of neighborhoods fall into the county's sanitary districts for direct municipal collection, the vast majority of Chantilly residents must hire a permitted private hauler—like American Disposal, Republic Services, or Bates Trucking—or use the service contracted by their local Homeowners Association.
The Strategic Advantage of the I-66 Transfer Station
Chantilly residents have a distinct geographical advantage when it comes to waste disposal. The Fairfax County I-66 Transfer Station, located right on West Ox Road on the border of Chantilly and Fairfax, provides an incredibly convenient drop-off point. Whether you are doing a weekend DIY remodel, clearing out an estate, or need to safely dispose of household hazardous waste like old paint and chemicals, this facility is practically in your backyard.
The Purple Can Club for Glass Recycling
If you are new to the Chantilly area, you might be surprised to learn that glass bottles and jars are strictly banned from your single-stream curbside recycling carts. Because broken glass contaminates valuable paper and cardboard bales, residents must take their clean, empty glass containers to designated Purple Can Club dumpsters. Convenient purple bins are located at the nearby I-66 Transfer Station and at various parks across the county.
Strict Yard Debris Regulations
Fairfax County enforces rigid environmental ordinances regarding yard waste to protect local composting operations from microplastics. Residents in Chantilly must use compostable paper yard bags or an unlined, reusable rigid container for their grass clippings and autumn leaves. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited, and your private hauler will leave them at the curb if used.
E-Waste and Battery Safety
Improper disposal of electronics and lithium-ion batteries is a leading cause of fires in collection trucks and recycling centers. Chantilly residents are prohibited from tossing laptops, TVs, or rechargeable batteries into their regular curbside bins. Instead, take advantage of the routine e-waste drop-off programs at the I-66 Transfer Station to ensure these hazardous materials are dismantled and recycled safely.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who picks up my trash in Chantilly?
Because Chantilly is unincorporated, most residents use private haulers. You can determine your provider by checking your HOA guidelines, looking at the logo on your bins, or contacting Fairfax County Solid Waste Management for clarification.
Can I put glass in my recycling bin?
No. Fairfax County has banned glass from curbside recycling to prevent machinery damage and contamination. You should take your glass bottles to a Purple Can Club drop-off location, such as the one at the I-66 Transfer Station.
Are plastic bags allowed for yard waste?
No. Plastic bags are strictly banned for yard waste. You must use compostable paper yard bags or an unlined, rigid reusable container to ensure your organic waste is collected.
How do I throw away an old couch in Chantilly?
If you are part of the small percentage with county collection, you can use one of your five free annual bulk pickups. If you use a private hauler, you must call them to schedule a pickup, which usually incurs a small fee. Alternatively, you can take it to the I-66 Transfer Station.