Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Springfield
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Bin
Glass shatters easily inside the collection trucks, contaminating entire loads of recyclable paper and cardboard. Take all glass items to a Purple Can Club drop-off site instead.
No Plastic Bags in Recycling
Never put your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. The flexible films wrap around sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility, causing major delays and equipment damage. Keep items loose in the cart.
Styrofoam is Trash
Even if a foam cup or takeout container has a recycling triangle stamped on it, Fairfax County MRFs cannot process it. Always put styrofoam directly into your regular household trash.
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.
About Springfield Waste Management
Understanding Springfield's Hybrid Trash System
Springfield, an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, utilizes a hybrid waste collection model. While a small percentage of residents receive direct collection services from the Fairfax County Department of Public Works, the vast majority rely on private waste haulers such as Republic Services, Patriot Disposal, or American Disposal. In many neighborhoods, homeowners associations (HOAs) negotiate master contracts. Regardless of your provider, all collection activities in Springfield must strictly adhere to the county's overarching solid waste ordinances.
The Mandatory Plastic Bag Ban for Yard Debris
Fairfax County enforces a strict environmental rule that heavily impacts seasonal lawn care in Springfield: plastic bags are completely prohibited for yard waste. Between March 1 and December 24, all organic yard clippings, leaves, and brush must be placed in compostable paper yard bags or clearly labeled reusable containers. If a private hauler spots a plastic bag filled with leaves at your curb, they will legally reject it and leave it on your property.
Glass Recycling and the Purple Can Club
Due to the high cost and contamination risks of broken glass in single-stream recycling, Fairfax County has banned glass bottles and jars from curbside blue carts. Instead, Springfield residents are encouraged to join the 'Purple Can Club.' You can drop off empty, rinsed glass containers of any color at designated purple dumpsters located across the county, such as the ones found at the West Springfield Government Center or the nearby I-66 Transfer Station.
Taking Advantage of the I-66 Transfer Station
For major home renovations or hazardous waste disposal that your curbside hauler won't accept, Springfield residents have prime access to the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road. This facility is a crucial hub where residents can safely and freely drop off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) like old paint, motor oil, and pesticides. It also serves as a drop-off point for electronic waste, tires, and large bulk debris, though tonnage fees may apply for extensive household loads.
Navigating Bulky Item and E-Waste Pickups
When disposing of large furniture, mattresses, or appliances, you cannot simply drag them to the curb on your normal trash day. If you use a private hauler, you must call them in advance to schedule a special pickup, which often carries an extra fee. If you are a direct county customer, you may be entitled to up to five free special pickups per year for loads under two cubic yards. Remember, televisions and computers are never accepted at the curb and must be taken to a designated e-cycling location.
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.