Solid Waste Services

The Department of Public Works (DPW) manages solid waste for the City, including a comprehensive range of services:

• Weekly curbside collection of trash, bundled brush, yard waste, and recyclables
• By request, special residential collection of bulk items
• Refuse and recycling collection for all municipal facilities including street cans
• The City's Recycling Center
• Special events including two recycling extravaganza events, one household hazardous waste event, and two city-wide clean up events

In performing these tasks, the City collects approximately 6,600 tons of solid waste annually, including:

• 2,300 tons of refuse
• 1,500 tons of loose leaves
• 400 tons of brush and yard waste
• 2,000 tons of recyclable materials (950 tons from the recycling center)

Recycling

Recycling, along with refuse collection, transfer, and disposal, is governed by the City's integrated solid waste management plan. The plan aims to decrease the amount of waste generated in the City by increasing source reduction, reuse and recycling. The City's recycling program also supports litter prevention activities and solid waste management initiatives, with the assistance of approximately 150 citizen volunteers.

Recyclable materials include those collected curbside (cart and green bin program, yard waste bags, brush and leaves) and at the Recycling Center. These collected materials are recycled, diverting material from the waste stream. In addition to environmental stewardship benefits, the City benefits economically by generating modest revenues and reducing waste disposal costs. Through the robust nature of its recycling service and outreach to its residents, the City enjoys the highest waste diversion rate (recycling rate) in Virginia.

Recycling is collected from curbside residential customers weekly on Wednesdays year-round (except on observed city holidays).

​Glass No Longer Accepted in Curbside Carts

As of February 19, 2020, glass containers - such as bottles and jars - are no longer accepted in curbside recycling carts or any City recycling receptacle.  Learn more about this change and the about the glass-only purple can now located at the Recycling Center (217 Gordon Rd.)

Trash

Trash is collected from curbside residential customers weekly on Wednesdays, year round (except on observed city holidays). DPW manages the contract for trash collection, and provides related services for the community, including special bulk pick ups.

Street Sweeping

DPW manages the street sweeping contract. Regular street sweeping is required by stormwater management regulations and benefits the City by significantly reducing the volume of pollutants entering local streams through the City's 900 storm drain openings. It also reduces the cost of storm sewer cleaning efforts and the chance of blockages in the system.