Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Fredericksburg
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Thursday, with your specific pickup day determined by street address.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Small bundled limbs (up to 2 bundles, under 3 feet long) are collected on your regular trash day, with seasonal curbside leaf vacuuming in the fall.
Set Out Time
7:00 AM
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling fees are billed bi-monthly directly on your city water and sewer utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, In Person
Black-top cart (or personal bags in non-cart zones) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged inside the cart to keep it clean and deter pests. Extra items placed beside carts are not collected. Must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Solidified latex paint
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue-top cart (or City-logo blue/black bins) Bin (Recycling)
Do NOT bag recyclables. Place items loosely in the blue-top cart. The cart must be removed from the curb by 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper, magazines, and newspapers
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam (Expanded Polystyrene)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Glass shards (must go in trash inside a jug)
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Limbs must be bundled with rope or twine. Bundles must be less than 3 feet long and 2 feet in diameter, with a maximum of 2 bundles per collection. Place bundles next to the trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Brush
- ✓Loose leaves (seasonally)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By paid appointment only
Placement
Do not place items at the curb without a confirmed and paid 'Special Pick Up' appointment. The service is restricted to the 22401 zip code.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, insecticides)
- ✕ Brush, stumps, and logs
- ✕ Building materials (lumber, blocks, drywall, concrete)
- ✕ Ammunition
There is a minimum fee of $75.00 per load (or any portion thereof) for the Special Pick Up curbside service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday shifts depend entirely on the day of the week the holiday falls. The city does not guarantee an automatic one-day push. Residents must check the Public Works News & Announcements page or call 540-372-1023 for the exact alternate collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Brush bundles and loose-leaf collections are heavily impacted by winter holiday delays and inclement weather. Always wait for the scheduled makeup day.
The city explicitly states they will not make additional trips for missed trash/recycling if you fail to check the holiday schedule shift.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn/Winter
November to DecemberThe city executes a highly structured 24-zone loose-leaf vacuum program. Rake leaves to the curb without bagging them, but ensure the piles are strictly free of sticks, logs, and general yard debris to avoid being rejected.
Spring
April/MayFredericksburg typically hosts a Community Cleanup Week, placing special dumpsters around the city. This provides a massive opportunity for residents to dispose of appliances, brush, furniture, and tires for free.
Year-Round
BiannuallyThe R-Board hosts biannual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronic Waste Collection Days free of charge to residents. This is the only acceptable time to dispose of toxic chemicals, oil-based paints, and heavy electronics.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Metal and Bottles? Cash In Around Fredericksburg!
While Fredericksburg doesn't have a ton of dedicated buyback centers right within the city limits, remember Virginia is one of those states with a bottle and can redemption program! You know, those little 10-cent deposits on many beverage containers? Keep an eye out for those redemptions at local grocery stores or dedicated redemption centers. For scrap metal, you'll likely need to venture a bit further. Places like Scrap-It In Fredericksburg or other larger scrap yards in the wider Northern Virginia area will often take items like old appliances, car parts, and other metals. It's worth a quick call ahead to see what they accept and if they offer cash on the spot!
Giving Your Good Stuff a Second Life in Fredericksburg
Before tossing perfectly good items, think about donating them! Fredericksburg has some fantastic options. The ReStore by Habitat for Humanity is a great spot for furniture, home goods, and building materials. They often have donation pick-up services too, which is super convenient. You can also check out local thrift stores like the Fredericksburg SPCA Thrift Store. They accept clothing, housewares, and much more, and your donations help support their animal rescue efforts. It feels good to declutter and help a neighbor or a furry friend at the same time!
Keeping Our Burg Clean: Dumping and Clean-Up Chats
Seeing trash piled up where it shouldn't be is never fun. If you spot illegal dumping anywhere in Fredericksburg or the surrounding Spotsylvania County, it's important to report it. The best way to do this is usually to contact the City of Fredericksburg Public Works department or the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line. They can investigate and arrange for clean-up. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events too; sometimes local groups organize these to tidy up parks and neighborhoods. Getting involved is a great way to show pride in our community!
Drop-off Facilities
Belman Road Recycling Center
1200 Belman Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Materials Accepted
Stafford County Regional Landfill (R-Board)
489 Eskimo Hill Road, Stafford, VA 22554
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my trash service start automatically when I move into Fredericksburg?
No. Trash service is not automatic in the City of Fredericksburg. You must actively contact the Utility Billing Department to sign up and pay for your residential city trash service before setting anything on the curb.
How do I safely throw away medical needles or broken glass?
Per city guidelines, all sharp objects like medical syringes and broken plate glass must be safely contained before disposal. Place them into a thick plastic container, such as a milk jug or a 2-liter soda bottle, before putting them in your black-top trash cart.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or couch?
The city will not pick up bulky furniture for free on regular trash days. You can either schedule a 'Special Pick Up' with Public Works for a minimum fee of $75.00, or haul the items yourself to the Stafford County Landfill.
Do I need to bag my recycling?
No. You should never bag items in your blue recycling cart. All acceptable single-stream recyclables (like paper, flattened cardboard, and plastic bottles) must be placed loosely into the bin.