Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Falls Church
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 Hauler (Often Gray/Black) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Do not overfill the cart, and ensure no individual bag or bundled item placed outside the cart exceeds 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Foam/Styrofoam
- ✓Double-bagged animal waste
- ✓Broken glass (must be in a taped box)
Varies by Hauler (Often Blue) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the bin. Do not use plastic bags to hold recyclables. Ensure containers are relatively clean and dry, and leave caps on plastic bottles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Metal food and beverage containers
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, hangers, cables)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Foam takeout containers
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be separated from regular trash and placed in paper yard bags or rigid reusable containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Flowers
- ✓Small prunings
- ✓Brush and twigs under 4 feet in length
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies (County customers get 5 free pickups per fiscal year)
Placement
Bulk items must be placed safely at the curb or street line by 6:00 a.m. on your confirmed special collection day, avoiding blockage of sidewalks or streets.
Accepted
- ✓ Bulk furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Refrigerant-containing appliances
- ✓ E-waste (computers and TVs)
- ✓ Large brush
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tree stumps
- ✕ Dirt, rock, and brick
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Asbestos
- ✕ Hazardous waste
If a county customer exceeds the 5 free collections, or sets out more than 2 cubic yards, additional fees apply. Private haulers set their own distinct pricing for any bulk pickup services.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection is generally delayed by one day following major holidays and during severe weather events. However, because 90% of residents use private haulers, holiday schedules vary significantly.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is completely suspended across the county from December 25 through the end of February.
Always check directly with your specific permitted collection company or HOA for exact holiday schedule shifts, as private hauler rules supersede county guidelines for most West Falls Church addresses.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Bin
Glass easily breaks during collection and damages recycling machinery. Never place glass in your curbside bin; instead, drop it off at a local Purple Can Club location.
Leave the Plastic Bags at the Store
Plastic film, grocery bags, and pillow packing easily tangle in sorting equipment. Place your recyclables loose inside your cart, and take plastic bags back to grocery store drop-offs.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
Putting heavily soiled items, greasy pizza boxes, or unverified plastics into the recycling bin contaminates the entire truck. If you are unsure if an item is accepted, it is safer to put it in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
March to DecemberCurbside yard waste is collected separately from trash starting March 1 through December 24. Ensure all yard debris is in paper bags or rigid containers to ensure pickup.
Winter
JanuaryReal Christmas trees under 8 feet are collected during the first two weeks of January. You must remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, and stands before placing the tree at the curb.
Fall
October to DecemberDepending on your specific neighborhood and hauler in West Falls Church, you may be eligible for vacuum leaf collection. Otherwise, leaves must be securely bagged in paper yard sacks.
About West Falls Church Waste Management
Understanding the Dual-Collection System in West Falls Church
If you are a new resident in West Falls Church, understanding how trash collection operates is your first step to settling in. Because West Falls Church is an unincorporated area within Fairfax County, waste management operates under a dual system. Approximately 10% of residents fall into the county's sanitary districts and receive direct public service from the county, while the remaining 90% rely on permitted private haulers or community HOA-contracted companies.
Reaching Zero Waste by 2040
Fairfax County is actively executing a Zero Waste Plan by 2040, which aims to divert 90% of waste from local landfills while reducing overall waste generation by 25%. For West Falls Church residents, achieving this goal means adhering strictly to recycling protocols and taking advantage of local composting drop-offs at county facilities, such as the I-66 Transfer Station, or local Park Authority farmers' markets.
The Purple Can Club: Glass Recycling Done Right
One of the most unique and vital aspects of recycling in this region is the Purple Can Club. Glass bottles and jars are no longer permitted in curbside residential recycling bins, as broken glass contaminates other materials and damages sorting machinery. Instead, residents must take their clean glass containers to designated purple dumpsters located throughout the county for high-quality, glass-to-glass recycling.
Yard Waste Regulations: Say No to Plastic Bags
When maintaining your lawn and garden in West Falls Church, remember that Fairfax County strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard debris. To prevent microplastic contamination in local compost, all yard waste must be placed in paper yard bags or rigid, reusable containers. If yard waste is set out in plastic bags, it will not be collected by your hauler.
Managing Large Items, Appliances, and E-Waste
Disposing of old furniture, appliances, or electronic waste requires a bit of planning. Fairfax County collection customers are entitled to five free special pickups per fiscal year for items under two cubic yards. If you utilize a private hauler for your West Falls Church home, you will need to schedule a bulk pickup directly with them or haul your oversized items to the nearby I-66 Transfer Station.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for picking up trash in West Falls Church?
Trash collection in West Falls Church operates on a dual system. About 10% of residents are serviced directly by Fairfax County Solid Waste Management, while the remaining 90% must hire a permitted private hauler or use a service contracted by their Homeowner Association.
Why didn't my hauler pick up my yard waste bags?
If you used plastic bags, they will be left at the curb. Fairfax County instituted a ban on plastic yard waste bags to protect local compost from plastic pollution. You must use paper yard waste bags or reusable rigid containers.
Where should I dispose of glass bottles and jars?
Glass is strictly prohibited in curbside recycling carts. West Falls Church residents should gather their clean glass containers and drop them off at a designated Purple Can Club dumpster location for specialized glass recycling.
How can I throw away an old mattress or television?
If you have county collection, you can call 703-802-3322 to use one of your five free annual special pickups. If you have a private hauler, you must call them to schedule a bulk pickup (fees may apply), or you can transport the items yourself to the I-66 Transfer Station.