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

Codified Ordinances Chapter 1086, the Loudoun County Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, applies to any person who resides or any business located in the County that generates solid waste, per 1086.03(a). Section 1086.03(b) excludes anyone located solely within an incorporated town, Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro, or Lovettsville, unless that town's governing body opts in. Section 1086.07(a) requires every resident to source-separate recyclable material and deposit it at a drop-off center, recycling facility, or through a permitted collector, with collection frequency "not less than once every two weeks." Under 1086.07(b), households must separate newspaper and magazines, container glass, metal and aluminum cans, and plastic beverage and detergent containers, and, as of July 1, 2003, cardboard, paperboard, and yard waste (if the household's collector offers yard-waste recycling).

Businesses must separate at least the one principal recyclable material they generate in the greatest volume, per 1086.07(c). Multi-family and commercial property owners must give tenants and employees written notice of the mandatory program within five days of move-in and at least annually thereafter, listing what is recycled, prep and set-out rules, container locations, and a contact name and phone number, per 1086.08. Set-out rules in 1086.09 bar recyclables from being placed in plastic bags, require rinsed and organic-free glass, metal, and plastic containers, and cap flattened cardboard at 24-by-24 inches unless the collector allows larger.

The Director of the Office of Solid Waste Management administers and enforces the chapter and may enter property with consent or, absent consent, obtain a magistrate's inspection warrant under 1086.05.