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

A requires the Responsible Party of every Commercial Establishment and Multi-Family Property to provide a Recyclables Collection System for the source-separation and collection of Recyclable Materials at least weekly, unless the County Manager grants a written exemption. Paragraph 1 requires a sufficient number of Recycling Containers, and wherever a Trash Container is available to tenants, employees, or visitors, whether in offices, conference rooms, laundry rooms, gyms, mailrooms, lobbies, roof decks, pools, or green spaces, a Recycling Container must sit adjacent to it if it is reasonably expected recyclables would be discarded there, positioned to give equally convenient access.

Paragraph 2 requires Recycling Containers to be clearly labeled and distinguished from Trash Containers, covered or secured outdoors against blowing, leaking, or spilling, and emptied often enough to avoid overflow. Paragraph 3 sets the numeric standard: on-site recycling collection service must be no less than half the weekly service level, measured in volume or cubic yard capacity, provided for trash, a ratio the ordinance says is meant to allow at least one-third of the property's waste stream to be recycled or reused. Paragraph 4 requires all Recycling Containers to be kept leak-proof with properly functioning doors and lids.

B, following the exemption process in § 10-36. The properties covered also owe the County an annual Multi-Family and Commercial Recycling Program Fee under § 10-39 to fund administration of this article.