Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for McLean
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 trash must be securely bagged and placed entirely inside the provided cart. Set out at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Wrappers and chip bags
Varies by Private Hauler (Often Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Keep recyclables loose, clean, and dry. Do not bag your recycling in plastic bags, as they jam processing machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean, flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastic jugs and bottles (Keep caps attached)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (Use Purple Cans)
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Place yard waste in paper yard bags or personal reusable containers. Collection runs separately from March 1 through December 24.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small prunings
- ✓Brush and twigs under 4 feet in length
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Upon request (Varies by hauler)
Placement
Place items at the curb no earlier than the evening before your scheduled special collection date. Limit piles to the size agreed upon with your hauler.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (Freon must often be removed)
- ✓ Large electronics and televisions
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, and heavy rocks
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
Curbside bulk fees are determined by your private hauler. Taking items directly to the I-66 Transfer Station typically incurs standard residential disposal fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Fairfax County government crews observe only Christmas Day. However, the private haulers servicing the majority of McLean often observe Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, shifting collection back one day for the rest of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is typically suspended entirely during the deep winter months of January and February.
Because McLean relies on an open-market hauler system, holiday schedules vary significantly. Always verify directly with your private provider for specific delays and weather-related pushbacks.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never bag your recyclables. Flimsy plastic bags wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling facility, causing major machinery breakdowns. Empty your recyclables loosely into the bin and return plastic grocery bags to retail store drop-offs.
The Pizza Box Rule
Grease and cheese ruin the cardboard recycling process. If the bottom of your pizza box is stained with grease, it belongs in the trash. Only the clean, unsoiled top half of the box can be ripped off and placed in the recycling cart.
Keep 'Tanglers' Out
Garden hoses, extension cords, wire hangers, and string lights are known as 'tanglers' and pose a massive physical hazard to workers at the sorting plant. Throw these in the trash or take old electronics and cords to the E-Waste facility.
Seasonal Information
Autumn/Winter
November to JanuaryVacuum Leaf Collection is provided in specific county-serviced Sanitary Districts. If you use a private hauler, you will likely need to bag your leaves in compostable paper bags for regular yard waste collection.
Winter
JanuaryDuring the first two weeks of January, real Christmas trees (under 8 feet) are collected curbside. Ensure all tinsel, lights, ornaments, and tree stands are completely removed before setting the tree out.
Spring/Summer
March to DecemberDedicated yard waste collection runs from March through December. Grasscycling—leaving clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil—is highly encouraged to reduce landfill waste.
About McLean Waste Management
Navigating McLean’s Private Hauler System
As an unincorporated community within Fairfax County, McLean does not operate a municipal sanitation fleet. Approximately 90% of homes rely on private refuse haulers such as American Disposal Services, Republic Services, or Bates Trucking, while a small fraction falls under designated county service zones. If you recently moved in, check with your Homeowners Association or utilize the Fairfax County 'Who Picks Up My Trash?' online tool to determine your specific service provider, as this dictates your collection days, billing, and cart rules.
The Purple Can Club at Dolley Madison Library
Glass bottles and jars are strictly banned from all curbside recycling bins in Fairfax County. Broken glass heavily contaminates paper bales and damages sorting equipment. Fortunately, McLean residents have convenient access to the region's 'Purple Can Club.' You can drop off empty, clean glass containers of any color at the dedicated purple dumpster located in the parking lot of the Dolley Madison Library. The glass is then sustainably crushed for reuse in local construction and landscaping projects.
Strict Yard Waste Ordinances for Virginia Lawns
Whether you hire a private hauler or use county services, maintaining your McLean property requires strict adherence to Fairfax County’s yard debris regulations. From March through December, yard waste is collected on designated routes but must be entirely separated from household garbage. Plastic bags are explicitly prohibited. Leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs must be placed in compostable paper yard bags or clearly labeled reusable containers to protect regional mulching operations.
Managing Bulk Trash and Major Cleanouts
Disposing of old furniture, mattresses, or large appliances requires a proactive approach. If you are serviced by a private hauler, you must contact them directly to schedule and pay for a special bulk pickup. For the select homes serviced by the county, residents are entitled to five free special collections per fiscal year. Alternatively, anyone can haul their oversized waste, remodeling debris, and scrap metal directly to the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road.
Safe Disposal of Electronics and Hazardous Materials
It is illegal and dangerous to place lithium-ion batteries, wet paint, pool chemicals, or old televisions into your standard curbside bins. These items pose severe fire risks to sanitation trucks and sorting facilities. McLean residents must securely transport their household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic waste to the designated drop-off zones at the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax, which frequently hosts specific HHW collection hours.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trash collection in McLean, VA?
Trash collection in McLean is primarily managed by private haulers. Since McLean is unincorporated, most residents or their HOAs must subscribe to private companies like Republic Services or American Disposal. A small percentage of homes are serviced directly by Fairfax County. You can verify your provider using the county's online address tool.
Can I put glass in my curbside recycling bin in McLean?
No. Fairfax County prohibits glass in all curbside recycling carts. McLean residents should take clean glass bottles and jars to the 'Purple Can Club' drop-off bin located at the Dolley Madison Library or the I-66 Transfer Station.
Are plastic bags allowed for yard waste?
No. Fairfax County has a strict ordinance banning the use of plastic bags for yard debris. Grass clippings, leaves, and brush must be placed in compostable brown paper yard bags or loose in personal, reusable containers clearly marked for yard waste.
Where can I safely dispose of paint and batteries?
Household hazardous waste like paint, lithium batteries, pesticides, and motor oil cannot go in your curbside bins. Residents must securely transport these materials to the Household Hazardous Waste drop-off center at the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax.