Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sterling
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 (typically Black or Gray) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be tightly bagged before being placed in the toter. Containers must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. (or the night before) and removed from public view by the evening following collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) foam
- ✓Food waste and scraps
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (#3 - #7)
Varies by private hauler (typically Blue or Green) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart. All food containers must be lightly rinsed and completely dry before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics bottles and jugs (#1 and #2 only)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans (empty aerosol cans)
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, magazines, and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (use Purple Bins)
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in compostable paper bags or a personal toter labeled 'Yard Waste' in 4-inch letters. Brush must be bundled with twine (under 50 lbs per bundle). Limit of 10 items per pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small twigs and seasonal plant trimmings
- ✓Brush limbs (max 4-foot length, under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By advance scheduled appointment only
Placement
To comply with HOA visual standards, do not place bulky items at the curb until you have received confirmation of your scheduled pickup date. Unscheduled items will not be collected.
Accepted
- ✓ Large household furniture (sofas, tables, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large boxed items
- ✓ Children's bulky plastic outdoor toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Rocks, dirt, concrete, and tires
- ✕ Construction and landscaping debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Tree stumps
Bulk pickups are not free. Haulers typically charge an average fee of $85 per item, though exact prices vary depending on your specific HOA contract and the item's size.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Major holidays observed by private haulers will push collection schedules back by one day for the remainder of the week. Most minor federal holidays (like Presidents' Day) do not affect normal trash routes.
Yard Waste Exception
If a major holiday falls on a Monday during peak season, yard waste collections are typically delayed to Tuesday.
Because Sterling utilizes various private haulers, it is highly recommended to check your specific HOA newsletter or your hauler's online alert banner (e.g., Republic Services, Patriot Disposal) for exact holiday and inclement weather delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Use the Purple Bins for Glass
Keep all glass jars and bottles out of your curbside recycling bin. Instead, deposit them at a Loudoun County Purple Bin location, such as the Sterling Park Recycling Center, to ensure they are actually recycled rather than landfilled.
Loose is Best
Never collect your recyclables in plastic grocery bags or black trash bags. Plastic films tangle the sorting machinery at regional recycling facilities. Simply leave your clean plastics, metals, and papers loose inside the cart.
Trash the Styrofoam
Even if your styrofoam shipping cooler or takeout cup has a recycling symbol printed on it, it cannot be processed in Loudoun County's single-stream system. Always throw styrofoam directly into your household trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
March 1 to December 24Mandatory yard waste separation is in effect. All organic lawn debris must be kept entirely separate from household garbage and prepared according to your hauler's 10-bag/bundle limits.
Winter
January and FebruaryDedicated yard waste routes are suspended for the deep winter. Any small amounts of yard debris generated during these two months should be bagged and placed directly into your normal household trash toter.
Post-Holidays
First two weeks of JanuaryLive Christmas trees are generally collected at the curb. Trees must be completely free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands. Do not place the tree inside a plastic disposal bag, and trees taller than 8 feet must be cut in half.
About Sterling Waste Management
Understanding Sterling's Private Trash Collection Network
Because Sterling is a census-designated place and not an incorporated town, it does not operate a municipal sanitation fleet. Instead, residential trash and recycling are managed entirely by private waste collection companies, such as American Disposal Services, Republic Services, and Patriot Disposal. If you live in a master-planned community like CountrySide or Cascades Park, your Homeowners Association (HOA) negotiates a master contract for these services. If you live in an area without an HOA, you are responsible for setting up an individual subscription with a Loudoun County-permitted hauler.
The Loudoun County Yard Waste Plastic Bag Ban
A critical regulation for homeowners in Sterling is the county-wide prohibition on using plastic bags for yard debris. From March 1st through late December, dedicated yard waste trucks service the area. However, all grass clippings, leaves, and twigs must be placed exclusively in compostable paper lawn bags or in a rigid, reusable container clearly marked 'Yard Waste.' Any organic landscaping debris left at the curb in black or clear plastic garbage bags will be tagged as a violation and left behind by your hauler.
Glass Recycling and the Purple Bin Network
Loudoun County actively encourages residents to keep glass bottles and jars out of their curbside single-stream recycling carts, as broken shards severely contaminate other recyclable commodities like paper and cardboard. To ensure glass is properly processed for reuse in regional construction projects, Sterling residents should utilize the specialized Purple Bin drop-off program. You can easily drop off your clean, intact glass containers at the Sterling Park Recycling Center located at 400 W Laurel Avenue.
Navigating Bulk Pickups and Large Home Cleanouts
Disposing of an old couch or heavy mattress requires advance planning in Sterling. Private haulers do not collect bulky waste alongside normal weekly trash unless a special pickup has been explicitly pre-scheduled. Residents must contact their respective hauling company's customer service desk to arrange a bulk collection date. Keep in mind that this is almost never free—most companies charge a per-item fee (averaging around $85, depending on the contract) to dispatch a specialty truck for large household goods.
Using the Regional Landfill for Hazardous Materials
While standard household trash is picked up at your curb, highly toxic or hazardous materials like motor oil, wet paint, and lithium-ion batteries are strictly forbidden in your residential carts. To safely dispose of these dangerous items, Sterling residents have access to the Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility (the landfill) in nearby Leesburg. The facility hosts specific Household Hazardous Waste collection days, ensuring harmful chemicals are kept out of the local water table.
Drop-off Facilities
Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility (Landfill)
21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA 20175
Materials Accepted
Sterling Park Recycling Center (Purple Bin Drop-Off)
400 W Laurel Avenue, Sterling, VA 20164
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash collection service in Sterling, VA?
Since Sterling is unincorporated, trash collection is not provided by the municipality. Instead, services are managed by private waste hauling companies like American Disposal, Republic Services, or Patriot Disposal. Typically, your Homeowners Association (HOA) selects and contracts the hauler for your neighborhood.
Can I put glass bottles in my curbside recycling bin?
Loudoun County strongly advises against putting glass in curbside single-stream recycling carts because it easily breaks and ruins other materials. Instead, you should take your empty glass bottles and jars to a designated Purple Bin, such as the one at the Sterling Park Recycling Center.
How do I throw away an old couch or mattress?
Bulk item pickup is not included in your weekly service. You must contact your specific private hauler directly to schedule a special pickup. Be prepared to pay an additional per-item fee (often around $85), and do not place the item at the curb until your appointment is confirmed.
Why did my hauler refuse to take my yard waste bags?
If your yard waste was left at the curb, it was almost certainly placed in a plastic garbage bag. Loudoun County ordinances strictly prohibit the use of plastic bags for yard debris. You must use compostable paper lawn bags or a reusable rigid container clearly labeled 'Yard Waste'.