Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Woodlawn
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 (often Gray/Black) Bin (Trash)
Trash carts should be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Ensure all refuse is securely bagged inside the cart to prevent littering, and that no single item or bag exceeds 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Polystyrene (Styrofoam) packaging
- ✓Food wrappers and unrecyclable plastics
- ✓Double-bagged pet waste
Varies by private hauler (often Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose inside the recycling cart. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic bags. Ensure all accepted containers are empty, rinsed clean, and dried.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (keep caps on)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic shopping bags and film
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire hangers)
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be set out in compostable paper lawn bags or personal rigid containers. Brush must be tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 50 pounds. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Weeds and plant trimmings
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by provider (County customers get 5 free annual pickups)
Placement
Approved bulk items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, taking care not to block sidewalks, mailboxes, or neighborhood traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (freon must be removed)
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Oversized yard brush
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction debris (drywall, concrete, bricks)
- ✕ Dirt, stumps, and large rocks
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Automobile parts
Private haulers usually charge an additional fee for bulk item removal. For a cheaper alternative, Woodlawn residents can drive their bulk items directly to the nearby I-95 Landfill Complex.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because approximately 90% of Woodlawn uses private collection companies, holiday schedules are determined by your specific hauler. Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, services shift by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
County-wide yard waste pickup is completely suspended from December 25th through the end of February.
Residents serviced directly by Fairfax County should monitor the county's Public Works website, while private customers must check their specific hauler's portal for holiday schedule impacts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Return Plastic Bags to the Store
Plastic grocery bags and shrink wrap easily jam the sorting machines at the local material recovery facilities. Never put them in your blue bin; instead, return them to the drop-off bins at local grocery stores along Route 1.
No Glass at the Curb
Just because a glass bottle has a recycling triangle does not mean it goes in your curbside cart. Always take glass to the Purple Can Club drop-off at the Mount Vernon District Government Center.
Keep Tanglers Out
Garden hoses, extension cords, wire hangers, and old clothing cause severe mechanical failures at the recycling plant. Throw these items in the regular trash or donate them if they are still usable.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
March to DecemberCurbside yard waste collection runs continuously from March 1 through December 24. Ensure your lawn clippings are set out on your designated yard waste day, separated entirely from your normal household trash.
Autumn
October to DecemberLeaf collection methods vary depending on your specific hauler in Woodlawn. While some private companies require all leaves to be bagged in paper sacks, residents on county-serviced routes may receive scheduled vacuum leaf collection.
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are typically collected during the first two weeks of January. They must be completely stripped of all lights, tinsel, decorations, and stands to be accepted for mulching.
About Woodlawn Waste Management
Navigating Woodlawn's Dual-System Collection
Located within the historic Mount Vernon District, the unincorporated community of Woodlawn relies on a dual-system for waste management. While a small percentage of residents (about 10%) are serviced directly by Fairfax County Solid Waste Management, the vast majority must hire private, county-permitted collection companies or rely on services contracted through their Homeowners Association. It is essential for new residents to check with their HOA to confirm their specific hauler.
The Local Advantage: The I-95 Landfill Complex
Woodlawn residents benefit greatly from their close proximity to the Fairfax County I-95 Landfill Complex on Furnace Road in neighboring Lorton. Because private haulers often charge extra fees for bulky item pickups, having this facility just a short drive down Route 1 makes it incredibly convenient to drop off excess household trash, remodeling debris, yard waste, and electronics on your own schedule.
Glass Recycling in the Mount Vernon District
If you are new to Fairfax County, be aware that glass is strictly banned from single-stream curbside recycling carts. To prevent glass shards from contaminating paper and cardboard bales, residents are asked to use the Purple Can Club. Woodlawn residents can easily drop off their rinsed glass bottles and jars at the designated purple bins located nearby at the Mount Vernon District Government Center or the I-95 Landfill Complex.
Strict Yard Debris Ordinances
To protect local composting operations and the environment, Fairfax County enforces a strict ban on using plastic bags for yard waste. Whether you are serviced by the county or a private hauler in Woodlawn, your grass clippings, leaves, and twigs must be placed in compostable paper yard bags or an unlined, rigid reusable container clearly labeled for yard debris.
Food Scrap Composting Initiatives
In alignment with the county's goal to achieve Zero Waste by 2040, residents of Woodlawn are encouraged to divert organic waste from the landfill. You can conveniently drop off your food scraps—including meat, bones, and dairy—at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market on Sherwood Hall Lane during the summer season, or year-round at the food scrap drop-off bins at the I-95 Landfill Complex.
Drop-off Facilities
I-95 Landfill Complex
9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Materials Accepted
Mount Vernon District Government Center (Purple Can Club)
2511 Parkers Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who picks up my trash in Woodlawn?
Because Woodlawn is an unincorporated area, the vast majority of residents use private haulers. You can determine your provider by checking your HOA guidelines, looking at the logo stamped on your rolling bins, or contacting Fairfax County Solid Waste Management.
Can I throw glass in my curbside recycling bin?
No. Fairfax County prohibits glass from curbside recycling to prevent machinery damage and paper contamination. You should take your glass bottles to a Purple Can Club drop-off location, such as the one at the Mount Vernon District Government Center.
Why did my hauler leave my yard waste bags at the curb?
If you used plastic bags, the hauler is legally required to leave them behind. Fairfax County instituted a strict ban on plastic yard waste bags. You must use compostable paper yard bags or an unlined, reusable rigid container.
How can I dispose of an old television in Woodlawn?
Old televisions and electronics (E-waste) cannot be thrown in the regular trash. Woodlawn residents are highly encouraged to take their old electronics to the nearby I-95 Landfill Complex on Furnace Road in Lorton for safe, authorized recycling.