Roanoke, VA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

1-1 defines a bin as any container 22 gallons or less in size, issued by the city for collecting recyclables and remaining city property throughout its use. The broader term recycling container covers either an automated collection container or a bin provided by or through the city, and the same definition caps a recycling container at 96 gallons unless the city manager authorizes a larger size for a particular location. 1-15(c): a recycling container, together with the recyclables inside it, may not exceed 60 pounds for a bin or 250 pounds for an automated collection container, except as otherwise authorized by the city manager.

These size and weight caps exist because Roanoke's collection equipment, whether semi-automated alley pickup or fully automated street pickup, is built around specific container dimensions, and an overweight or oversized container risks not being serviced or damaging collection machinery. 1-1, which distinguish alley pickup requiring some worker handling from street pickup that is fully automated.