Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lorton
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone or private hauler schedule.
Recycling
Collected once per week on your designated collection day alongside regular trash.
Yard Waste
Weekly curbside pickup runs from March 1 through December 24 on your scheduled collection day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Most Lorton residents receive service through private haulers arranged individually or via their HOA, while county-serviced collection areas are billed semi-annually on real estate tax assessments.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person, Auto-Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
Fairfax County provides real estate tax relief and exemptions for qualifying seniors (age 65+) and disabled residents meeting income guidelines.
Varies by private hauler (County uses Black/Gray) 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 (County uses Blue) 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-95 Landfill Complex to save money.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because the vast majority of Lorton 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
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 Lorton. 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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Recyclables into Cash Around Lorton!
While Lorton itself might not have specific bottle buyback centers right in town, Fairfax County, where Lorton is located, has some options! You can often find scrap metal yards in the wider Northern Virginia area that will pay for items like aluminum, copper, and steel. Also, keep an eye out for community recycling drives that might pop up. For those cans and bottles, don't forget that Virginia has a state recycling program, though direct redemption centers are less common these days. It's always worth checking with local scrap yards for the most up-to-date info on what they accept and their current prices.
Give Your Old Stuff a New Life in Lorton
Got furniture, clothes, or household goods that are still in good shape but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, think about donating! Right in Lorton, you'll find places like the Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center on Lorton Market Drive, which takes a wide variety of items. Another fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, with one not too far away in Alexandria. They accept furniture, appliances, building materials, and more, helping fund affordable housing projects in our community. Plus, donating is a great way to declutter responsibly!
Keeping Lorton Beautiful: Say No to Dumping
Let's all work together to keep Lorton looking its best! If you see someone illegally dumping trash, Fairfax County has a way to report it. You can contact the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program to let them know. They also have special collection events throughout the year for household hazardous waste, like old paint, batteries, and chemicals, which shouldn't go in your regular trash. Keep an eye on county announcements for these important opportunities to dispose of tricky items safely and responsibly.
Drop-off Facilities
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Materials Accepted
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who picks up my trash in Lorton?
Because Lorton 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-95 Landfill Complex right in Lorton.
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 Lorton?
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-95 Landfill Complex on Furnace Road.