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.
