Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Springfield
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone for County Collection Customers, or according to your neighborhood's private licensed hauler schedule.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same designated service day as trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly from March 1 through December 24 (curbside collection pauses from late December through February).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Approximately 90% of Springfield residents are served by private trash companies or HOA contracts, while residents in county sanitary districts have refuse collection fees billed directly on their Fairfax County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Fairfax County offers real estate tax relief and exemptions for qualifying low-income seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with permanent disabilities.
Gray/Black cart (varies by private hauler) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged before being placed inside the cart. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and weigh less than 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (#3 through #7)
- ✓Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
Blue cart (varies by private hauler) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose, clean, and dry inside the cart. Ensure cardboard is flattened to prevent the bin from jamming.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean mixed paper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs with necks (Plastics #1 and #2)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✕Food-soiled containers
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper yard bags or reusable rigid containers. Plastic bags are strictly banned. Limit of 10 bags/containers per pickup. Collected separately from March 1 through December 24.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant trimmings
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (tied with string)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By scheduled appointment only (or up to 5 free pickups for direct County customers)
Placement
Do not place items at the curb until the evening before your confirmed scheduled pickup to comply with local HOA aesthetic rules. Ensure 20 feet of overhead clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large boxed items
- ✓ Scrap metal (if separated)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Stumps and dirt
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Private haulers usually charge an extra fee per item. Fairfax County direct customers are granted 5 free special pickups per year for piles up to 2 cubic yards.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since Springfield relies heavily on private haulers, exact holiday schedules vary. However, the standard practice is that if a major holiday falls on or before your collection day, service is pushed back by one day for the rest of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste pickups follow the same holiday delay schedule as standard trash, but separate collection routes pause entirely in January and February.
Always verify holiday schedule shifts directly with your specific HOA or the website of your contracted private hauler (e.g., Republic Services or Patriot Disposal).
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
March 1 to December 24Yard waste is collected separately from household trash. Ensure all lawn debris is in paper bags or reusable bins, as plastic bags are illegal and will be rejected at the curb.
Winter
December 25 to February 28Separate curbside yard waste collection is suspended. Any minor yard debris generated during these deep winter months should be bagged and placed directly into your normal trash cart.
Winter Holidays
First two weeks of JanuaryHaulers will collect live Christmas trees at the curb. Ensure your tree is under 8 feet tall and completely stripped of all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and the tree stand.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cash in Your Cans and Bottles Around Springfield?
While Virginia doesn't have a statewide bottle and can redemption program like some other states, keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards or recycling centers in the broader Northern Virginia area that might take your aluminum cans or other metals. Sometimes, local community groups or schools will also hold collection drives for specific items to raise funds. It's worth checking with your local Fairfax County recycling resources for any announced special collections that could offer a small return for your efforts.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Springfield
Before tossing items that are still in good shape, think about donating them to support our neighbors. Goodwill of Greater Washington has several locations in and around Springfield, and they happily accept clothing, household goods, and electronics. Another fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Alexandria, which takes furniture, appliances, and building materials – perfect for anyone looking to declutter and help fund affordable housing projects in our community.
Keeping Springfield Spick and Span: Tackling Dumping and Town Cleanups
Springfield residents are encouraged to keep our community beautiful. If you ever spot illegal dumping, it's important to report it to Fairfax County. You can usually do this through their website or by calling the county's solid waste management division. Fairfax County also sometimes organizes community cleanup events, especially around Earth Day, which are great opportunities to volunteer and make a direct impact on our local parks and streets.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station Complex
4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
West Springfield Government Center (Purple Can Drop-Off)
6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield, VA 22152
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles trash collection in Springfield?
Because Springfield is an unincorporated area in Fairfax County, the majority of homes have their trash collected by private companies (like Republic Services or Patriot Disposal) contracted through their HOA. A smaller portion of residents are serviced directly by the Fairfax County government.
Why won't my hauler pick up my yard waste in plastic bags?
Fairfax County law strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. To have your grass clippings and leaves collected, you must use compostable paper lawn bags or a reusable rigid container clearly marked for yard waste.
Can I put glass jars in my curbside recycling bin?
No. Fairfax County has removed glass from its single-stream curbside recycling program. You must take all clean, empty glass bottles and jars to a designated Purple Can Club drop-off location, such as the one at the West Springfield Government Center.
How do I throw away an old TV or computer?
Electronic waste is completely banned from curbside trash and recycling carts in Fairfax County. You must transport your old televisions, computers, and electronics to the e-cycling drop-off area at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex.