Hampton, VA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Required materials
- Paper, plastics, aluminum (dept.-designated)
- Container
- City-provided recycling bin only
- Enforcement
- Dept. inspects, documents violations
- Penalty
- Notice, then $50-$75 fines
Summary
Hampton, Virginia requires every household on city collection to separate designated recyclables, paper, plastics, and aluminum, and place only department-approved materials in the city-provided recycling container under City Code § 32.2-35.
(a)All customers receiving city collection services shall separate and make available for collection and recycling such categories of solid waste which are designated by the department, including paper, plastics, and aluminum, and placed for collection in accordance with section 32.2-22 of this chapter. Only material designated by the department as "recyclable" may be placed in a recycling container.(b)Non-curbside collection of the city-provided recycling container for any person physically incapacitated so as to prevent such person from placing the city-provided recycling container curbside for collection purposes shall be in accordance with section 32.2-29 of this article.(c)The department has the authority to inspect the contents of any recycling container placed for pick up and shall document any violation of this section. Any resident who violates any provision of the recycling requirements as given in this section shall be served with a notice of violation under section 32.2-5, which shall specify the improper materials placed in the recycling container and inform the customer that any further violations will be subject to the penalties in section 32.2-6. (Ord. No. 23-0001, 1-11-23)
State Law reference— Separation of solid waste, Code of Virginia § 15.2-937; local recycling and waste disposal; powers; penalties, Code of Virginia § 15.2-928.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Under Hampton City Code § 32.2-35, customers receiving city collection must separate and set out categories of recyclable material the department designates, including paper, plastics, and aluminum, placed curbside per the placement rules in § 32.2-22. Only items the department has designated "recyclable" may go in the recycling container: putting other trash in it is a violation. Non-curbside pickup is available for physically incapacitated residents under § 32.2-29. The department can inspect any recycling container set out for collection and document violations, which trigger a formal notice under § 32.2-5 before any fine is assessed. The section was adopted by Ord. No. 23-0001 (1-11-2023).
Violations & Fines
A contaminated or improper recycling container draws a notice of violation identifying the improper materials under § 32.2-5; repeat violations bring civil fines under § 32.2-6, $50 for a second offense, $75 for a third and beyond, capped at $3,000 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in Hampton, Virginia?
What happens if I put trash in my recycling bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.