Alexandria, VA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Trash/yard debris frequency
- Weekly, Sec. 5-1-31
- Recycling frequency
- Every 2 weeks, Sec. 5-1-41(f)(1)
- Summer set-out deadline
- 6:00 a.m., May 1-Sept 30
- Winter set-out deadline
- 7:00 a.m., Oct 1-Apr 30
- Mandatory for
- Required user properties (1-4 units)
Summary
Alexandria collects solid waste, ashes and yard debris weekly and recyclables every two weeks under City Code Section 5-1-31, and containers must reach the curb by 6 a.m. from May through September or 7 a.m. the rest of the year under Section 5-1-41(f).
The city shall collect and dispose of solid waste (other than special collection items which may be collected pursuant to section 5-1-41(g)), ashes and yard debris on a weekly basis, and shall collect and dispose of recyclable material on a less frequent but regular basis, as determined by the director, from every required user property. Every required user shall use this collection and disposal service of the city. ... (1) The city will normally provide collection under this chapter once each week unless otherwise directed by the city manager due to unusual conditions. Recyclable material shall be collected by the city once every two weeks.(2) The city is not required to collect from any premises unless the approved waste containers, plastic liners, yard debris and recyclable material are placed at the point of collection no later than 6:00 a.m. from May 1 through September 30 and no later than 7:00 a.m. from October 1 through April 30 of each year on collection day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
Section 5-1-31 makes weekly collection mandatory for every 'required user property,' defined in Section 5-1-2(12b) as single-family, two-family and row dwellings and buildings with four or fewer units: 'The city shall collect and dispose of solid waste (other than special collection items which may be collected pursuant to section 5-1-41(g)), ashes and yard debris on a weekly basis, and shall collect and dispose of recyclable material on a less frequent but regular basis, as determined by the director... ' Section 5-1-41(f) fixes the timing: the city normally collects once a week unless the city manager directs otherwise for unusual conditions, and recyclable material is collected once every two weeks. from October 1 through April 30. on collection day, per Section 5-1-41(f)(2).
Violations & Fines
Missing the 6 a.m. summer or 7 a.m. winter set-out deadline under Section 5-1-41(f)(2) means the city is not required to collect that week, and repeated late set-outs or leaving containers curbside past the return deadline can draw a citation under Section 5-1-86 and a fine of up to $1,000 per violation under Section 5-1-87.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
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