This information applies to County Collection Customers. Approximately 10% of residents receive collection services directly from Fairfax County Government. For questions about private service, please contact your provider directly or view the list of Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
Customers are provided with one 95-gallon trash cart and one 95-gallon recycling cart per residence.
To report a damaged or missing trash or recycling cart, please complete the form below.
For damaged carts, please leave the cart at the curb on your regular collection day so our repair technician can access it.
If you would prefer to submit your request over the phone, please call 703-802-3322, TTY 711.
This subscription service applies to residents who receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Only about 10% of residents in Fairfax County use this service. The other 90% of residents and businesses receive trash collection from private companies.
If you use a private collector, please contact them directly for assistance.
Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?
County
About ten percent (10%) of residents in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Unsure if you are a county collection customer? Visit "Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?"
Private
Ninety percent (90%) of residents and businesses in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling service from a private collection company. Residents are billed by the collection company or pay via their Homeowner Association fees. Please contact your provider directly regarding services. View the list Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
County
About ten percent (10%) of residents in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling collection from Fairfax County Government. Unsure if you are a county collection customer? Use the map below to find out.
Private
Ninety percent (90%) of residents and businesses in Fairfax County receive trash and recycling service from a private collection company. Residents are billed by the collection company or pay via their Homeowner Association fees. Please contact your provider directly regarding services. View the list Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies.
ACCEPTED CURBSIDE
(All trash must be bagged in the county trash cart)
Normal household trash
Syringes, Needles and Other Medical Sharps: Place in a sturdy plastic container (like a laundry detergent bottle) with screw-on top. Mark the container "residential sharps” and put in the trash cart.
Broken glass should be placed in a taped box before placement in the cart.
Animal waste must be double-bagged before placing in the cart.
Search the Waste Wizard and learn how to dispose of everyday items.
Collections - Click tabs for more information
Trash carts (gray) are for household trash only. Do not use these carts for recycling or yard waste. Carts provided by the County should not be loaded to more than 50 pounds.
Recycle carts (blue) are used for recycling only. Do not use these carts for trash or yard waste. Recycling items should be placed clean, loose, and dry in your recycling cart (do not bag the recycling items). No Plastic Bags!
The homeowner is responsible for storing and cleaning the carts.
If a cart is damaged or missing, you may report this online at Trash/Recycling Cart Request or by calling 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Trash and recycling may be left if improperly prepared for collection.
Set your carts out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
Don’t place containers at the curb more than 1 day before your collection day; remove them within 24 hours after collection.
Trash collection is for wastes accumulated from normal household activities only.
Secure carts to keep contents from spilling onto street.
Bag household trash before placing it in the trash cart.
All trash must be placed inside the county provided cart. Trash or recycling, other than collapsed cardboard, placed outside the county-provided cart will not be collected. No privately-owned carts will be serviced. For extra service please contact customer service by calling 703-802-3322 | TTY 711.
Fairfax County is not responsible for items not intended for collection that are placed next to trash and recycle carts, or for damage to or loss of personal trash containers.
Report Missed or Partial Pickup
Please do not report a missed collection until late in the day. In many cases crews are simply delayed.
Report missed collections the following business day by 4:30 p.m. If you set your trash/recycling out after 6 a.m. and it is not collected, please hold the debris until your next collection day or take it to one of the county disposal facilities. Fees apply.
Download the Trash & Recycling Customer Guidelines for a printable version of set-out instructions, cart information, and what can be recycled at the curb. You will also find how to handle household hazardous waste and yard waste.
