Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Culpeper
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.
Town-Issued 95-Gallon Cart Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with the wheels against the curb and the lid opening facing the street. Multiple carts must be separated by at least 3 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Drained and wrapped wet garbage
- ✓Household rubbish
- ✓Small amounts of leaves (if inside cart)
Drop-Off Only Bin (Recycling)
No curbside collection. Residents must separate recyclables and drop them off at the Laurel Valley Recycling Center or Lignum Convenience Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastics grades 1 through 5
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Newspaper and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Rigid plastics (PVC, buckets)
- ✕Broken glass
- ✕Ceramics
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be bound in bundles not exceeding 50 lbs, 4 feet in length, and 2 feet in diameter. Loose leaves are collected curbside only by vacuum trucks on scheduled days.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bundled brush and tree limbs
- ✓Bundled cardboard
- ✓Loose leaves (during vacuum season)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No Curbside Bulk Service
Placement
Must be hauled directly to the Laurel Valley Solid Waste Transfer Station during their normal operating hours.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Automotive tires (fees apply)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large tree stumps
- ✕ Explosives
- ✕ Poisons and acids
- ✕ Liquid paint
Residential general waste under 500 lbs is completely FREE (limited to one load per day). Loads over 500 lbs are charged at a rate of $79.00 per ton. Appliances containing freon incur a $10 fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
During holiday weeks, trash collection is typically delayed by one day depending on your normal scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside brush and cardboard collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular refuse.
The Laurel Valley Solid Waste Transfer Station, where residents take bulk items, is entirely closed on major holidays, so plan your drop-offs accordingly.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Wrap Your Wet Garbage
The town's refuse regulations highly recommend that wet food waste and garbage be drained and wrapped in paper before being placed in your cart. This simple step reduces foul odors, deters pests, and prevents the garbage from freezing and sticking to the inside of the receptacle in the winter.
Keep Recycling Free of Wax and Gloss
When bundling cardboard for curbside pickup or taking it to the county drop-off, make sure it is standard corrugated cardboard. Thin, glossy, waxy cardboard (like cereal boxes or poster board) and colored cardboard are strictly not accepted.
No Dangerous or Industrial Waste
Never place paint, acids, motor oil, or explosives in your town-issued cart. These hazardous items pose a severe risk to sanitation workers. Used motor oil and antifreeze can be safely dropped off at the Laurel Valley Transfer Station.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - DecemberBags of leaves will not be picked up if placed beside your cart. You must either fit them into your 95-gallon cart or wait for the town's scheduled leaf vacuuming trucks, which collect loose leaves raked to the curbside.
Winter
December - FebruaryInclement weather and snow can cause trash collection cancellations. The Town will announce delays on local radio stations (WCVA AM 1490 and WJMA FM 103.1) as well as the Culpeper Media Network and town website.
Spring
March - MayAs you begin spring landscaping, remember that tree stumps, dirt, rocks, and large logs over 4 inches in diameter cannot be collected by the town and must be hauled to the transfer station.
About Culpeper Waste Management
Weekly Trash Collection by Public Works
The Town of Culpeper's Public Works Department handles residential garbage collection once a week. Each home is issued a 95-gallon rolling cart, and all normal household refuse must fit entirely inside it with the lid closed. If you consistently find one cart is not enough, you can purchase up to three additional carts by contacting the Town Treasurer's Office, though a small monthly equipment replacement fee applies per cart.
Curbside Cardboard and Brush Exceptions
While the town enforces a strict 'no overflow' rule for regular garbage, they make two notable exceptions: cardboard and brush. You can leave flattened, broken-down cardboard boxes beside your cart as long as they are tied into bundles weighing under 50 pounds. Similarly, small tree limbs and brush can be collected outside the cart if they are securely bound with sturdy string or rope, kept under four feet in length, and weigh less than 50 pounds.
Drop-Off Recycling in Culpeper County
The Town of Culpeper does not offer curbside recycling for plastics, glass, or metal. Instead, environmentally conscious residents must utilize Culpeper County's drop-off centers. The Laurel Valley Recycling Center and the Lignum Convenience Center accept a wide variety of sorted materials, including aluminum cans, plastics (grades 1 through 5), newspapers, and glass bottles.
No Curbside Bulk Pickup
Unlike some municipalities, Culpeper will not pick up bulky household items like furniture, mattresses, or large appliances at the curb. For these large items, residents must haul them directly to the Laurel Valley Solid Waste Transfer Station. The good news is that for residential households, loads weighing under 500 pounds are accepted completely free of charge, limited to one trip per day.
Seasonal Leaf Vacuuming
During the fall, managing fallen leaves requires special attention. Bags of leaves are not accepted by the regular trash truck unless they fit entirely inside your 95-gallon town-issued cart. However, the town does deploy leaf vacuum trucks during scheduled days in the autumn, allowing residents to rake their loose leaves directly to the curb for efficient mechanical collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Laurel Valley Solid Waste Transfer Station & Recycling Center
14017 Laurel Valley Place, Culpeper, VA 22701
Materials Accepted
Lignum Convenience Center
Off Route 3, 2.4 miles east of Batna Road (Route 647), Culpeper County, VA
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Culpeper provide recycling carts?
No, the town does not offer curbside recycling services or provide recycling carts. Residents are encouraged to take their sorted recyclables to the Culpeper County drop-off centers, such as the Laurel Valley Recycling Center or the Lignum Convenience Center.
What should I do if I have a large piece of furniture to throw away?
The town's garbage trucks will not pick up furniture, mattresses, or large appliances. You must haul these bulk items yourself to the Laurel Valley Solid Waste Transfer Station. For residential households, dropping off a load under 500 pounds is completely free once per day.
Can I leave extra bags of garbage next to my cart?
No, all household garbage must fit securely inside the 95-gallon cart provided by the town with the lid closed. The only items permitted outside the cart are properly bundled brush and broken-down, bundled cardboard boxes weighing under 50 pounds.
How do I request an additional trash cart?
If you consistently overflow your standard 95-gallon cart, you can request an additional one by calling the Town Treasurer's Office at 540-829-8220. There is an upfront purchase cost of $65 per cart, plus an additional $2.50 monthly sanitation equipment fee added to your bill.