Current Fairfax County Recycling Guidelines
(Spring 2026)




Please use this guidance when recycling in Fairfax County and please don't wishcycle. Wishcycling is the well-intentioned practice of placing items in the recycling bin in the hope that they can be recycled, even when their recyclability is uncertain. While the intention is positive, wishcycling can create significant problems for recycling facilities. Items such as plastic bags, garden hoses, food-contaminated containers, and other non-recyclable materials can jam sorting equipment, contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, and increase processing costs. When contamination levels become too high, entire loads of recyclables may be rejected and sent to the landfill. The best way to avoid wishcycling is to follow local recycling guidelines,


The following items are always unacceptable:


  • Anything smaller than one’s fist—e.g., metal bottle caps, cardboard tags from new clothes
  • Anything with food residue/grease—if bottom of pizza box has grease but lid doesn’t, recycle lid only
  • Napkins, paper towels, tissues
  • Styrofoam (it’s toxic)
  • Shredded paper — can be composted if stored in paper bag
  • Plastic bags, even if they have the recycling symbol — take any and all clean plastic bags to grocery store recycling bin
  • Pots and pans
  • Glass bottles — please take to Fairfax County purple bins
  • Glass panes, light bulbs, any broken glass (Items are hand-sorted at recycling center.)
  • Photographs
  • Batteries


Check the Label on Your Battery


  • If the label reads "Alkaline" or "Carbon Zinc" you can place the battery in your household trash. When discarding single-use batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, C or D cell) in your household trash, follow one of these safety procedures before throwing them away to prevent an accidental fire.
  • Place a piece of electrical tape over both ends (+/-) of the battery.
  • (or) Place batteries separately in a sealed plastic bag
  • (or) Place batteries in their original packaging, sealed with tape.
  • If you cannot read the label please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.
  • If the label reads any other battery type please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.


Other Drop Off Locations and Types of Batteries Accepted

https://batterynetwork.org/locator/


Glass Recycling in Fairfax County

  • Bring glass containers to a purple bin for recycling. See Northern Virginia Glass Recovery Map for a location near you.
  • Glass deposited in the purple cans is used to make food and beverage containers, fiberglass insulation, and reflective materials.
  • Glass bottles and jars are not accepted in most curbside recycling programs throughout the region.


Circular Economy


Did you recycle a glass jar last month?  You may be drinking out of it right now! A glass bottle can go from the purple can back to the store in as little as 30 days.  Check your glass bottle or jar to see if it was made right here in Virginia.  Use the following link to learn how to read a glass bottle manufactured by O-I.


COMPOST RIGHT FACT SHEET

Don’t throw out those worn-out linens,
clothes, & shoes!


You can schedule a home pick-up or you can find a drop-off bin near you.

For more information visit:  https://www.helpsy.com/


Fairfax County has Helpsy drop-off bins at the following locations:


  • I-66 Transfer Station 4618E West Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • I-95 Landfill Complex 9850 Furnace Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
  • Sully District Government Center 4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA 20151
  • Jim Scott Community Center 3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax, VA 22031
  • West Springfield Government Center 6140 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152


As per Fairfax County: “Items collected at these donation drop boxes are repurposed for resale. Any items that cannot be sold will be recycled into industrial rags or insulation.  Please bag your old, clean, and dry clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, and linens, and make sure they stay dry when placing them in the drop box.”



Helpsy will take the following:

 

Clothing

  • Tops (t-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops)
  • Sweaters
  • Sweatshirts
  • Dresses
  • Outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers)
  • Bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts)
  • Suits
  • Sports Jerseys
  • Pajamas
  • Intimates (slips, bras, underwear, socks)
  • Baby Clothing

Footwear

  • Shoes
  • Heels
  • Flats
  • Sandals
  • Flip Flops
  • Boots (all varieties)
  • Sneakers
  • Cleats
  • Slippers

Accessories

  • Hats
  • Bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes)
  • Belts
  • Gloves
  • Ties
  • Scarves
  • Bathrobes
  • Jewelry

Linens

  • Sheets/pillowcases
  • Blankets
  • Comforters
  • Curtains/Drapes
  • Aprons
  • Dish cloths
  • Cloth napkins
  • Table linens
  • Quilts

Other

  • Luggage
  • Sports jerseys
  • Stuffed animals