Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Springfield
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood and whether your home is serviced by Fairfax County collection or a private hauler.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your scheduled service day from March 1 through December 24.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Around 90% of residents receive service through private haulers or HOA fees, while county collection customers pay an annual refuse service fee billed with their real estate taxes.
Billing Cycle
Semi-Annually / Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Fairfax County provides real estate tax relief and exemptions for qualifying seniors age 65 and older and residents with total and permanent disabilities.
Black, Gray, or Green (Varies by hauler) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the bin. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day with the lid tightly closed to deter wildlife.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Diapers
- ✓Cold ashes
Blue or Yellow (Varies by hauler) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclable items must be placed loose inside the cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic trash bags, as this causes severe malfunctions at the county sorting facilities.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (Types #1 & #2)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags and films
- ✕Hoses and tangled cords
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in compostable paper bags or reusable rigid containers. Brush must be tied into bundles no larger than 4 feet in length. Collection runs March through late December.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and small branches
- ✓Plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment (Frequency varies by hauler)
Placement
Bulk items should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled collection day. Ensure items do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or storm drains.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (stoves, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Large rugs or carpet remnants
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Bricks, concrete, and dirt
- ✕ Hazardous materials and wet paint
- ✕ Automobile parts and large tires
Fairfax County customers may have certain bulk pickups included in their annual fee, with surcharges for appliances containing freon. Private haulers charge separate fees per scheduled bulk item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For county-serviced routes, if your collection day falls on one of the observed holidays, pickup will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. Private hauler schedules may vary.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the same holiday slide schedule as regular refuse during its active season (March through December).
County offices and the I-66 Transfer Station often have modified hours on lesser holidays (like MLK Day or Veterans Day), even if curbside collection continues uninterrupted.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
March - MayDedicated yard waste collection routes resume on March 1st. Ensure your spring lawn clippings and pruning debris are packaged in paper yard bags rather than plastic.
Fall
October - DecemberCertain sanitary districts receive vacuum leaf collection services in the late fall. Check with the Fairfax County Department of Public Works to see if your West Springfield street is on the vacuum route.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected during the first two weeks of January. All tinsel, lights, ornaments, and tree stands must be removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash Around West Springfield?
While West Springfield itself might not have specific local buyback centers right in the immediate area, the great news is that the Commonwealth of Virginia has a bottle and can redemption program! So don't toss those empty soda and water bottles and cans. Keep an eye out for the 10-cent deposit symbol on many beverage containers. You can then take these to participating redemption centers, often found at larger grocery stores or dedicated redemption locations throughout Northern Virginia. It’s a simple way to get a little cash back for recycling!
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in West Springfield
Instead of letting good items head to the landfill, consider donating them! For folks in and around West Springfield, there are some fantastic options. Check out the Northern Virginia Habitat for Humanity ReStores – they're always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials you no longer need. You can also find local thrift stores that support various causes, or even donate clothing and household goods directly to charities like Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. Dropping off items means they can get a new home and help someone else in the community.
Keeping Our Neighborhoods Tidy: What About Odd Stuff or Dumping?
We all want West Springfield to look its best! If you've got items that don't fit into your regular trash or recycling bins, like old paint or electronics, Fairfax County often holds Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events. Keep an eye on the county's solid waste management website for announcements on these special days or permanent collection sites. If you ever spot illegal dumping happening, it's super important to report it. Contacting Fairfax County's Code Enforcement or their environmental services department can help them address it quickly and keep our community clean.
Drop-off Facilities
I-66 Transfer Station
4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't my recycling get picked up in West Springfield?
If your recycling cart was left behind, it was likely tagged for contamination. Common reasons include placing glass in the bin, bagging your recyclables in plastic garbage bags, or including unaccepted items like styrofoam or yard waste.
How do I know if I have county trash collection or a private hauler?
Since West Springfield is part of Fairfax County, some areas are designated Sanitary Districts managed by the county, while others rely on HOAs or personal contracts with private haulers. You can verify your service by contacting your HOA, looking at the logo on your bins, or calling the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program at 703-324-5230.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous materials are strictly prohibited from curbside bins. West Springfield residents should bring old paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, and batteries to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program located at the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax.
Are there limits on yard waste collection?
Yes. Brush and branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and no thicker than 6 inches in diameter to be collected at the curb. Furthermore, all leaves and grass clippings must be in compostable paper bags or reusable bins, never in plastic bags.