Fairfax County, VA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Required materials
- Glass, metal cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, paper, yard waste, scrap metal
- Multi-family deadline
- System required within 30 days of ownership
- Container sizing rule
- Recycling ≥25% of a 2+ cu-yd refuse container
- Minimum service
- Containers emptied at least weekly
- Record retention
- Contracts/invoices kept 3 years
- Penalty
- Civil fine only, no criminal charge (§109.1-9-5)
Summary
Fairfax County requires single-family homes and townhouses to source-separate glass, metal cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, mixed paper, yard waste and scrap metal for recycling. Multi-family owners must set up a working recycling system for residents within 30 days of taking ownership, sized so no one has to dump recyclables on the ground.
(a)Occupants of single-family homes and townhouses shall source-separate: container glass; metal food and beverage containers; plastic bottles and jugs; yard waste; scrap metal; and cardboard and mixed paper, including but not limited to corrugated cardboard, magazines, newspaper, office paper, and miscellaneous paper products.(b)Owners of multi-family dwelling units or their designees shall, within 30 days of taking ownership of these units, provide or cause to be provided a recycling system for residents to source-separate cardboard and mixed paper ... container glass, metal food and beverage containers, plastic bottles and jugs, and scrap metal.
Full Breakdown
1-2-2(a) requires occupants of single-family homes and townhouses to source-separate container glass, metal food and beverage containers, plastic bottles and jugs, yard waste, scrap metal, and cardboard and mixed paper, including newspaper, magazines and office paper. Owners of multi-family buildings or their designees must, within 30 days of taking ownership, provide a recycling system sized so residents never need to put recyclables on the ground or in the trash, with containers emptied at least weekly unless the Director approves a reduced schedule in writing. As of February 1, 2016, any refuse container of two cubic yards or more must be paired with recycling containers equal to at least 25 percent of that refuse capacity.
Containers must be clearly labeled with what materials are accepted, owners must notify residents about the system at move-in and at least annually after that, and owners must keep the collection area free of litter. Owners face no liability if individual residents fail to sort correctly, but they must keep collection contracts and invoices for three years for county inspection. 1-2-6(c).
Violations & Fines
A recycling violation under this Article is punishable by a civil fine set in the Solid Waste Management Program Enforcement Manual under Section 109.1-9-5; no criminal penalty applies to recycling violations specifically. Each household, business or collection point where a violation occurs counts as a separate offense, and the Director can escalate the fine for repeat violators who breach the Chapter three or more times within 12 months under Section 109.1-9-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What am I required to recycle at a Fairfax County single-family home?
Does my apartment building have to offer recycling?
What happens if a property doesn't provide required recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia trash & recycling overview
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