Recycling at the Curb - Easier than Ever!!!
Reducing, reusing and recycling are the easiest ways you can help each day to reduce global warming. Now, the City has made curbside recycling easier than ever.
Sort No More: Single Stream is at Your Door!
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| Single Stream recycling collection and truck |
For ease and convenience, the City has implemented "single stream" recycling collection, which allows all recyclable materials to go into your yellow bin. No more paper or plastic bags needed. All mixed paper recyclables and aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers can go in your yellow bin. For more information on single stream recycling collection, read the Single Stream FAQs.
Simple Recycling Guidelines
- Empty and rinse all beverage containers and metal cans.
- Remove all caps, tops and lids.
- Flatten plastic and aluminum beverage containers and metal cans.
- Place all mixed paper and bottles and cans in your yellow bin.
- Set out your recycling bin on the same day as your trash collection.
> No earlier than 5PM the day before pick-up.
> No later than 7AM (Oct. 1-April 30) or 6AM (May 1-Sept. 30) the day of pick-up.
> Place at curb, even if your trash is collected in the alley.
- Do not use plastic bags to hold recyclable materials.
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| Single Stream Recycling Set-out in Yellow Bin |
City of Alexandria Curbside Yellow Collection Bin
Each resident is provided with an 18-gallon yellow bin for recycling collection. The yellow bin is property of the City of Alexandria, so please leave it when moving.
For more information about what is recyclable in your yellow bin, review the City of Alexandria's Recycling YES/NO list -- ( Pulse aquí para Español ).
To learn more about where your recyclables go, watch this short video from WM Recycle America, our recycling processor.
To request a replacement or additional bin, use our on-line request form or call 703-519-3486.
Why Can't I Recycle...?
Pizza boxes: Pizza boxes are typically contaminated by oils and food leftover from the pizza and cannot be cleaned from the cardboard.
Butter/Yogurt tubs and lids (all other plastics without a neck): Plastic containers that do not have a neck (i.e. berry containers, yogurt/butter tubs, etc) are made with different types of plastic and are formed differently. This causes these containers to melt at a different temperature than those plastic bottles with a neck. Currently, there are no local manufacturers who can use these materials in the making of new materials.
For more information on recycling plastics, please read the following article "Recycling Plastic: Complications and Limitation."
Aluminum foil and trays: Like the plastics industry, there are no local recycling processors or manufacturers who are taking this material to be made into new products.
Plastic bags: Plastic grocery bags (and other plastic bags) should not be used or placed in Alexandria's curbside recycling program. However, there are many grocery stores who will collect the plastic grocery bags, which will be recycled into plastic lumber. Please ask your local grocery store about their program, or consider reusing the bag as a bathroom garbage can liner, etc.
Milk/Juice Cartons (Waxed Paper Cartons): Milk and juice cartons are not recyclable because of the wax coating. Any paper with a waxing coating is not recyclable because the wax contaminates the pulping process at the manufacturer level.
As the markets change and develop, what is and is not recyclable may change. The City of Alexandria's Recycling Office will work to keep you informed about what is and is not recyclable. For further information, please contact the Recycling Coordinator at 703-751-5872. |
