COUNTY RECYCLE SERVICE CHANGES @ MON MAR 30+

According to the NVRC Northern Virginia Waste Management Board, only about 10% of glass food and beverage containers are actually recycled in Virginia.  Broken glass contaminates other more valuable recycled items such as cardboard and metals, abrasive broken glass damages processing machinery, and heavy glass increases transportation costs.  To encourage and support more beneficial recycling, the Virginia Senate passed SB 218 during the 2018 General Assembly session to improve recycled materials reliability and supply during the next 10 years.

In response, and effective October 1, 2019, Fairfax County asked residents to discontinue including used glass containers in curbside recycling collections. Instead, the County asked residents to deposit used glass in 21 purple bins throughout the County, including at the Reston South Park and Ride parking lot, 2531 Reston Parkway at Fox Mill Rd, or to throw glass items into their trash.  The County took purple bin glass to a regional Lorton, VA glass processing plant where it was crushed for use in pipe bedding and filler material.  Glass items not accepted for County recycling include lamps, light bulbs, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, windows, and sheet glass. 

However, effective Monday, March 30, 2020, and in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Fairfax County removed all purple collection bins and suspended corresponding glass collection countywide until further notice.  The County now asks residents to throw used glass containers into their trash, or bring glass to the I-66 transfer station or I-95 landfill complex.  Regardless, residents should discontinue placing used glass in curbside recycling collections.  In addition, the County closed the I-95 landfill complex for household hazardous waste and e-waste collection, but these services remain open at the I-66 transfer station.  Secure document shredding events are also postponed until further notice.

Similarly, and according to a November 10, 2019 Washington Post article, residents should also discontinue placing plastic shopping and produce bags in curbside recycling because they tangle recycling equipment.  Instead, plastic wrap washed to remove raw meat or other contamination, dry cleaning bags, shopping bags, zip-lock bags, and newspaper bags should be recycled in bins typically found outside most grocery stores.  For more information, see the American Chemistry Council recycling webpage.