Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chester
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The most common recycling mistake is placing items inside plastic garbage bags. Sorting facilities will not tear open these bags due to safety hazards, meaning your good recyclables will be sent straight to the landfill.
Return Plastic Bags to the Store
Plastic grocery bags and shrink wrap are strictly prohibited in CVWMA recycling programs. They wrap around the sorting gears and break the machinery. Take them to local grocery stores that offer plastic film drop-offs.
Leave the Tanglers Out
Items like garden hoses, holiday lights, wire hangers, and electrical cords are considered 'tanglers.' Keep them out of the recycling bin, as they pose severe risks to material recovery facility equipment.
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.
About Chester Waste Management
Navigating Chester's Private Waste System
Because Chester is an unincorporated community within Chesterfield County, there is no municipal curbside trash collection provided by the local government. To manage your household waste, you must either set up a subscription with a permitted private hauler—such as GFL Environmental, Choice Waste Services, or Republic Services—or transport your trash yourself to one of the county's convenience centers.
The Southern Area Convenience Center Advantage
Residents of Chester are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Southern Area Convenience Center, located right in town on Landfill Drive. Open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., this facility provides a highly accessible alternative to private hauling. Here, you can drop off bagged household trash, yard waste, scrap metal, and even auto fluids.
Recent Changes to Curbside Recycling
As of June 30, 2023, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) no longer coordinates curbside recycling in Chesterfield County. If you want a recycling bin at your curb, you must contract directly with a private hauler. Alternatively, the county offers robust, free drop-off recycling options. You can utilize the Express Recycling Lane at the Southern Area Convenience Center or drop recyclables at community sites like Goyne Park or R. Garland Dodd Park.
Food Scrap Composting Initiative
In an effort to divert organic waste from local landfills, Chesterfield County actively participates in the CVWMA Food Scrap and Compostables Drop-off Program. Chester residents can bring their food waste, meat scraps, and certified compostable products (like specific cups and utensils) directly to the designated purple carts at the Southern Area Convenience Center.
Handling E-Waste and Household Hazardous Materials
Never place lithium-ion batteries, old cell phones, or laptops into your private hauler's curbside bins, as they pose a massive fire risk to collection trucks. While everyday auto fluids and rechargeable batteries can be taken directly to the Convenience Centers, CVWMA also hosts a specialized First Saturday Electronics Recycling Event every month in nearby Henrico for all Central Virginia residents.
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.