Albemarle County, VA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

County Code § 13-201 governs how solid waste is source-separated for recycling in Albemarle County. Every waste collector operating in the county must collect the recyclable materials named in the ordinance, newspaper, magazine, container glass, metal cans, and plastic soda, milk and water containers, from any residential unit whose occupant chooses to participate in the collector's recycling program, and that collection must match the recycling program the collector already runs. The county, in turn, provides for the processing of the newspaper and commingled recyclables a collector gathers from residential units.

Collectors are also required to offer recycling service to the owner or manager of every multi-family dwelling and apartment complex they serve, and to make a reasonable effort to promote both residential and nonresidential participation in a recycling program. 2-933 to sell or otherwise dispose of recyclable waste through another lawful channel. Recycling collection frequency is set separately at County Code § 13-202, which requires collectors to pick up recyclables from residential units either weekly or biweekly. Waste collectors must hold a current permit issued by the department of engineering and public works under County Code §§ 13-101 through 13-104 before operating in the county, and permits must be renewed annually between June 1 and June 15.