Virginia Beach, VA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Every other week, same day as trash
- Container rule
- Only city-provided recycling containers allowed
- Placement window
- Curb by 7 a.m. on collection day
- Prohibited items
- No hazardous, medical, or nonrecyclable waste
- Penalty
- $25 first offense, $50 per repeat
Summary
Virginia Beach picks up recyclables every other week on the same day as trash, using bins provided for automated collection; mixing in hazardous waste, medical waste, or nonrecyclables draws a $25 civil penalty.
No hazardous waste, refuse, medical waste, or any other refuse or nonrecyclables shall be placed in any container for recyclables used for collection by the city or a city contractor. No other types of receptacles are permitted for use in the automated collection areas. Exceptions to these requirements may be made by the city manager or his designee. Only yard waste containers or yard waste receptacles as defined in section 31-1 of this chapter shall be used for yard waste. A maximum of twenty-five (25) yard waste receptacles shall be collected per residence on any given collection day.
(Ord. No. 1016, §§ 17-4, 17-5, 1-14-80; Ord. No. 1580, 1-21-86; Ord. No. 1592, 4-7-86; Ord. No. 2034, 2-12-91; Ord. No. 2370, 2-6-96; Ord. No. 2450, 6-10-97; Ord. No. 2853, 12-7-04)
Sec. 31-27. - Frequency of collection. (a)Garbage and household trash accumulated at residences shall be collected by the city one (1) time each week, except when otherwise designated by the city manager or his designee. Oversized household trash, and bulky items such as refrigerators, water heaters and washing machines shall be collected by the city one (1) time each week at the curbside; provided that, the service of collecting these articles shall only be provided when a special order is placed by telephoning the waste management division in advance.(b)Recyclables shall be collected every other week on the same day as waste collection, except when otherwise designated by the city manager or his designee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The city collects recyclables curbside every other week on the same day as regular trash pickup (City Code § 31-27(b)). Residents in automated-collection areas must use the containers for recyclables the city provides, placed at the curb line no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, then pulled back out of public view the same day (§ 31-28(a)). No hazardous waste, medical waste, or other nonrecyclables can go in a recycling container (§ 31-26). A first violation of the container rules draws a $25 civil penalty, $50 for each repeat (§ 31-3.1(a)).
Violations & Fines
Putting hazardous, medical, or other nonrecyclable waste in a recycling container costs $25 for a first offense and $50 for each repeat day the violation continues (City Code § 31-3.1(a)).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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