Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chester
Trash Day
Collection days vary depending on your contracted private waste service provider (such as Choice Waste, Republic Services, Meridian Waste, or GFL). Residents can also self-haul trash to Chesterfield County's Southern Area Convenience Center located at 6700 Landfill Drive in Chester.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is available via private subscription (typically bi-weekly) through local private haulers, or by drop-off at county convenience centers and community park recycling sites.
Yard Waste
Yard waste collection is arranged directly through private haulers or can be brought to county convenience centers for a small per-load fee.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Chesterfield County Utilities bills bi-monthly for public water and wastewater services; trash collection is not billed through county utilities.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online (Customer Portal), Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, 24/7 Self-Service Kiosks, In-Person
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
All household waste must be securely bagged before being placed in your private hauler's cart. Carts generally must be placed curbside by 5:30 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. Overfill policies vary by company.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and unrecyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam (polystyrene)
- ✓Double-bagged pet waste
Varies (Private Cart or Drop-Off Bins) Bin (Recycling)
Whether using a private hauler or a county drop-off center, all recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (with caps)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (no lids)
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-contaminated items (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste limits depend entirely on your private contract. For example, Choice Waste requires limbs to be bundled, under 3 feet long, and capped at 35 pounds per bundle. Alternatively, yard waste can be hauled to the Convenience Center for a fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Brush and small limbs
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler (Requires scheduling) or Self-Haul
Placement
For curbside service, follow your hauler's instructions closely, which usually involves placing the items at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on the agreed-upon day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, mattresses)
- ✓ Appliances (Freon must be legally removed and tagged)
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Major landscaping debris (stumps, dirt)
- ✕ Construction debris (bricks, concrete)
Private haulers charge specific fees for bulk removal. Self-hauling to the Southern Area Convenience Center is cheaper but still incurs fees for certain items (e.g., $10 for appliances without Freon).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collection is managed privately, holiday rules depend on your chosen hauler. Typically, if a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, curbside pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste pickups follow the same holiday slide schedules as standard refuse collections.
The Southern Area Convenience Center announces its specific holiday closures (like Thanksgiving and Christmas) directly on the Chesterfield County website.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryMost private haulers, including Choice Waste, will collect live Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January. Trees must be completely free of all tinsel and ornaments, and cut in half if they exceed 5 feet in height.
Spring & Fall
March to NovemberKeep an eye on the Chesterfield County calendar for specialized community recycling events focusing on paints, document shredding, and household hazardous waste, which are typically scheduled during the spring and fall.
Winter
December to FebruaryIn the event of severe winter weather or snowstorms, private collection routes are often delayed by a day. If your area is impassable, services may be canceled for the week, so always check your specific hauler's website.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans into Cash in Chester!
Thinking about tossing those empty soda cans or plastic bottles? Hold on a sec! While Chester might not have a dedicated buyback center right within the city limits, Virginia has a state-wide program for certain beverage containers. You can often redeem these at participating grocery stores or redemption centers throughout the wider Richmond area and beyond. Look for the 'VA' on the label, and keep an eye out for signs at your local supermarket. It's a small way to make a little extra cash and help the environment at the same time. For larger metal items like old appliances or scrap metal, consider reaching out to local scrap yards in the Richmond metro area. They're usually happy to take your unwanted metal and might even pay you for it!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a New Life in Chester
Got furniture, clothing, or household goods that are still in good shape but you just don't need anymore? Instead of letting them end up in the landfill, why not donate them? Chester has some fantastic local organizations that would love your contributions. Consider dropping off items at the Goodwill store on U.S. 1 South, or check out the Salvation Army Family Store in nearby Richmond. These places help fund important community programs and give your pre-loved items a second chance. It's a win-win for everyone involved!
Keeping Chester Clean: Community Efforts and Reporting!
We all want Chester to look its best, right? While the city provides regular trash service, sometimes things can get a bit messy. If you notice any instances of illegal dumping or see areas that could use a community cleanup, it's good to know how to report it. The Chesterfield County Public Utilities department handles waste management and illegal dumping concerns. You can usually find their contact information on the county's official website. They often have information about special collection days for things like electronics or hazardous waste, too. Let's all pitch in to keep our neighborhoods tidy and beautiful!
Drop-off Facilities
Southern Area Convenience Center
6700 Landfill Drive, Chester, VA 23831
Materials Accepted
Goyne Park (Community Recycling Center)
5300 Ecoff Ave, Chester, VA 23831
Materials Accepted
R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks
201 Enon Church Road, Chester, VA 23836
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chester provide municipal trash collection?
No. Chester is part of Chesterfield County, which does not operate a municipal curbside trash program. Residents must either hire a private, permitted hauler (such as Choice Waste, GFL, or Republic Services) or take their trash directly to the Southern Area Convenience Center.
How do I get curbside recycling in Chester?
As of mid-2023, the county no longer coordinates curbside recycling. To have a recycling bin at your curb, you must pay a private contractor. You can also opt to drop off your recyclables for free at local community parks or the Southern Area Convenience Center.
Where can I drop off food scraps and compost?
Chesterfield County offers a food scrap drop-off program. You can bring your food waste, meat scraps, and certified compostable products to the purple carts located at the Southern Area Convenience Center on Landfill Drive.
How can I throw away an old refrigerator or couch?
You have two options: call your private hauler to schedule and prepay for a special curbside bulk pickup, or transport the item yourself to the Southern Area Convenience Center. Note that appliances must have Freon safely removed, and county convenience centers charge a moderate fee (like $10) for large appliances.