Alexandria Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026

The City of Alexandria collects trash, recycling, and yard waste once weekly on a designated day from Monday through Thursday. In most single-family neighborhoods collection is at the curb, but in many Old Town neighborhoods collection takes place in alleys instead. That means the official city map and Alex311 are the safest way to confirm where and when to set materials out.

How to Find Your Alexandria Trash Pickup Day (Fast Lookup)

Alexandria’s refuse page is the main official source for weekly curbside service. It explains that collection is based on location and points residents to the pickup-day map and Alex311 for help.

1. Open the city refuse page. Go to Refuse Collection.
2. Check your location. The city collects from Monday through Thursday, but the exact day depends on where you live.
3. Confirm whether you use curb or alley pickup. In most single-family neighborhoods crews collect at the curb, while many Old Town neighborhoods use alleys.
4. Use Alex311 if you are unsure. Alexandria says to call Alex311 at 703-746-4311 if you are not sure where to place your trash.
5. Save the schedule. Holiday weeks can slide one day later, so it helps to keep the city holiday calendar handy.

Alexandria Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When

The city’s standard residential program is simple. Trash, recycling, and yard waste are collected once weekly, Monday through Thursday. The city also offers extra service options for metal or appliance pickup and bulky yard waste by request.

The city generally provides one 64-gallon trash can free of charge to households that receive city-provided trash collection, except in Old Town. Recycling containers are city-assigned too and should remain with the property.

Alexandria Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Special-Item System

Alexandria uses separate weekly streams for trash, recycling, and yard waste, with extra request-based options for larger metal or appliance items and bulky yard waste that cannot fit in a container.

Alexandria’s recycling page also says city-served detached single-family homes, duplexes, and some townhouses with four or fewer units receive city trash, recycling, and yard-waste services through a fee-based program.

Alexandria Set-Out Rules

The city gives a clear set-out window for weekly collection. Using that same time every week is the easiest way to avoid a missed pickup.

• Set out trash, recycling, and yard waste no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before collection.
• Set everything out no later than 6 a.m. on collection day.
• Bag household trash. The city says trash should be bagged and placed in a city-provided container.
• Use the correct collection location. Most homes use the curb, but many Old Town homes use alleys.
• Keep city containers with the property. Alexandria says trash and recycling containers are city property assigned to each address.

Metal, Appliance, and Bulky Yard Waste Pickup

Alexandria offers special request services for bulky metal items, appliances, and heavier yard waste that cannot go out with your regular weekly set-out.

For metal and appliance pickup:

• The Resource Recovery page lets residents schedule a metal / appliance pickup through Alex311.
• The city’s recycling guide says residents who receive city recycling collection service may schedule pickup for bulky metal items.
• Examples include household appliances and large metal items such as grills, exercise equipment, and chain-link fencing.

For bulky yard waste pickup:

• Bulky or heavy yard waste is collected curbside by request.
• The city says staff will collect up to two felled trees at curbside, with restrictions.
• Collection is available only for logs and branches less than 18 inches in diameter and less than 10 feet long.
• No tree stumps are allowed.

1. Use Alex311. Start with Resource Recovery or Alex311.
2. Schedule the service you need. The city lists separate request options for metal/appliance pickup and bulky yard waste pickup.
3. Prepare yard waste correctly. Brush should be curbside, not in the yard or alley, and large items should be stacked next to the curb.
4. Leave room for crews. The city says 25 feet of overhead clearance is required for bulky yard waste pickup, and 10 feet of clearance is needed from parked cars.
5. Do not mix in lumber or construction debris. Alexandria specifically says not to mix these with brush.

Alexandria 2026 Holiday Trash Schedule

Alexandria’s holiday calendar is more specific than a simple one-rule schedule. Some Monday-through-Thursday holidays slide service one day later, while other holidays do not affect trash, recycling, and yard waste collection.

The city also notes that curbside food-waste service can follow different holiday rules from trash and recycling, so residents should use the official calendar rather than assume every service moves together.

What to Do If Alexandria Missed Your Pickup

Alexandria provides both an online Alex311 system and guidance on what to check first when collection is missed.

1. Check for an oops tag. The city says this tag often explains why the material was not collected.
2. Review the holiday calendar. Many city-recognized Monday-through-Thursday holidays shift service one day later.
3. Confirm your set-out time and location. The correct window is 5 p.m. the day before through 6 a.m. on collection day, and some Old Town homes use alleys instead of curbs.
4. Make sure the material was acceptable. Alexandria lists over-weight items, long carpet or lumber, construction debris, liquids, and trash mixed with recycling as common problems.
5. Report it through Alex311. Use Alex311 or call 703-746-4311.

Alexandria Drop-Off and Recycling Options

Alexandria also gives residents several official options for recycling and self-haul disposal outside regular curbside collection.

Drop-off center locations listed by the city include: S. Whiting St., 3224 Colvin St., 4251 Eisenhower Ave., and Jones Point Park. Alexandria also says residents may use Reworld™ Alexandria at 5301 Eisenhower Avenue for certain self-haul items, but no household trash is accepted there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alexandria Trash Pickup

Official Alexandria Trash Collection Resources

Reminder: Alexandria’s trash system is simple once you know your address-based day and whether your home uses curb or alley pickup. Holiday weeks are where most mistakes happen, so check the city calendar before you set anything out.