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Your trash and recyclables must be set out for pickup by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Strong winds and neighborhood pets can scatter trash if it is not prepared properly. It is not the collector’s responsibility to clean up messes. To prevent trash from being scattered we recommend you 1) tie off each bag securely; 2) not let pets run loose; 3) set out trash only on your collection day. To learn more, view our Recycling Guidelines.
Curbside collection is a free service for residents who use the City’s Trash Service. This service is not available for residents that use private trash collection services. To learn more, view our 2020 Recycling Schedule. To learn more our recycling program click here.
Not sure about what you can recycle?
Call us at 434-970-3830 or email recycling@charlottesville.org.
Improving Our Recycling System Starts with YOU. Recycle only accepted items and avoid “wishcycling”. Just because you think something is recyclable at the curb, doesn’t mean that it is. View our Recycling Tips and learn more.
Approximately 1/3 of household waste is typically made up of organic materials that can be composted, instead of landfilled. Regardless of where you live in Charlottesville, composting options exist that are clean, easy to manage, and reduce your amount of trash and greenhouse gas emissions. View the Composting in Charlottesville brochure and learn that it’s as easy as 1-2-3. Learn more.
Leaves collected from residents are brought to a local farm to be composted. This environmentally sustainable approach is better for our local food systems, soil quality, and air. Mowing leaves into your yard is an option that keeps those nutrients onsite and available for you. Download our Leaf Collection brochure or click here to learn more.
Sustainable waste management helps prevent the emission of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants, saves energy, supplies valuable raw materials to industry, creates jobs, stimulates the development of greener technologies, conserves resources for our children’s future, and reduces the need for new landfills and combustors.
Critical goals for overall waste reduction are conservation and reuse. When materials are kept out of the waste stream entirely, or are reused through donations/consignment stores, or recycled and composted into new products, less energy and resources are needed. Buying products which have recycled content in them is the ’other half’ of collecting items to be recycled.
Sustainable Waste Management and Landfill Diversion practices are integrated into the City’s Solid Waste Management Program and are supported by the City’s Strategic Plan, City Council Vision Statement, and the Comprehensive Plan.
Learn more about waste services for City of Charlottesville residents and businesses – including recycling and composting options.
Deo, former Composting
Program CAYIP Intern
