Fairfax County Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026
Fairfax County trash pickup can be confusing because there is not one single countywide curbside schedule for every home. Some residents are County Collection Customers, most homes and businesses use private trash companies, some neighborhoods are handled through an HOA, and the City of Fairfax has its own separate refuse program. This guide helps you find your real 2026 pickup path without guessing from a neighbor’s cart.
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Quick Answer for Fairfax County Residents
To find your Fairfax County trash pickup schedule in 2026, first confirm whether your address is served by Fairfax County Government or by a private hauler. If you are a County Collection Customer, Fairfax County says trash and recycling collection happens between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and carts must be at the curb inside county containers by 6 a.m. on your collection day. If you use private service, your schedule, holiday rules, bulk pickup and missed-pickup reporting come from that company or your HOA.
Check the County map
Use the official “Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?” map before assuming the county collects your home.
Use 703-802-3322
County collection customer service handles county-served carts, missed pickup, special pickup and collection notices.
Call your provider
Most residents use private companies or HOA-arranged collection. Fairfax County does not control that daily schedule.
Fairfax City is separate
The City of Fairfax uses its own route finder, holiday schedule and service rules. Do not mix City and County schedules.
Write down three things and tape them inside a cabinet: your collector name, your regular pickup day, and the phone number to call when pickup is missed. In Fairfax County, the wrong phone number is the number one reason trash problems take longer to fix.
Find Your Fairfax County Trash Pickup Day by Address
Fairfax County is not like a city where every eligible home automatically receives the same municipal curbside service. The county’s own pages say about 10% of residents receive collection directly from Fairfax County Government, while about 90% of residents and businesses receive trash and recycling service from private collection companies.
- Open the County pickup map. Enter your full street address, not just ZIP code or neighborhood name.
- Look for the county collection area. If your address is in the highlighted service area, you are a County Collection Customer.
- If the map says private service, identify your hauler. Check your bill, HOA documents, landlord, property manager, or the county’s permitted collector list.
- If you live in Fairfax City, Herndon, Vienna, Falls Church, Clifton or another town/city area, check that local program. Local governments can have separate rules.
- Save the right contact. County customers use 703-802-3322 for collection service; private customers use the hauler or HOA.
Fairfax neighborhoods can have mixed service patterns. Two nearby homes may use different haulers or different pickup days, especially around HOAs, townhouses, rental communities and service-area boundaries.
Fairfax Resident Tools: Service Path, Reminder and Bulk Size Check
Use these quick tools whenever you are not sure which rule applies. They are not official calculators, but they help you avoid the common Fairfax mistakes: calling the wrong provider, reporting too early, mixing City and County rules, or making an oversized bulk pile.
Fairfax County Collection Customer Rules: Trash, Recycling and Carts
This section applies only if Fairfax County Government collects your home’s trash and recycling. If you use a private hauler, your cart timing, extra bags, bulk rules and holiday changes can be different.
County cart setup
- Place county trash and recycling containers at the curb by 6 a.m.
- Use the county-provided trash cart for household trash.
- Bag household trash before placing it in the trash cart.
- Use the blue recycling cart only for accepted recyclables.
- Keep recycling clean, loose and dry.
- Store and clean the carts between pickups.
- Report damaged or missing county carts through county customer service.
Common reasons items are left
- Cart set out after 6 a.m.
- Trash placed outside the county cart, except allowed collapsed cardboard rules.
- Recycling placed in plastic bags.
- Yard waste placed in trash or recycling carts during the yard-waste season.
- Private carts used for county service.
- Hazardous waste, e-waste, construction debris or bulky material put in regular trash.
| County collection detail | Resident action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Collection window | Expect pickup between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. | Do not report a miss early in the day because crews may simply be delayed. |
| Set-out deadline | Have carts out by 6 a.m. on collection day. | Late set-out can mean holding materials until the next collection or self-hauling. |
| Cart weight guidance | Do not overload county carts; keep them manageable and closed. | Overloaded carts can be unsafe and may not be serviced. |
| Extra service | Call 703-802-3322 for additional cart service or questions. | Extra material outside county rules may be left behind. |
Private Trash Pickup in Fairfax County: What Most Residents Need
Most Fairfax County residents and businesses receive trash and recycling pickup from a private collection company. That means your normal pickup day, recycling day, holiday delays, extra bag policy, cart replacement, bulk pickup and missed-collection reporting usually come from your hauler or HOA, not from the county collection customer line.
Check direct billing
If you receive a trash bill from a hauler, use that company’s customer portal or phone number for your schedule.
HOA-managed service
Many townhouse and subdivision communities include trash service in HOA dues. The HOA may control holiday notices and bulk rules.
Ask landlord or manager
A landlord or property manager may know whether your building uses county collection, a private hauler or shared containers.
Do not report a private-hauler missed pickup through Fairfax County’s county collection portal. The county page itself tells private customers to contact their collector directly for services and scheduling.
Fairfax County vs City of Fairfax: Do Not Mix These Schedules
A lot of residents search “Fairfax trash pickup” and land on the wrong program. Fairfax County Government, private haulers, HOAs, towns and the City of Fairfax can have different rules. If your address is inside the City of Fairfax, use the City’s refuse and recycling route finder and City holiday page, not the county collection-customer rules.
County collection customers
County-served homes use county carts, 6 a.m. set-out and county customer service. Most other county residents use private haulers.
Separate City program
The City of Fairfax tells residents to use its route finder, and it does not collect curbside trash, recycling or yard waste on city-observed holidays.
Fairfax County Recycling Pickup: What Belongs in the Blue Cart
For Fairfax County Collection Customers, the blue cart is for recycling only. Fairfax County’s basic recycling message is simple: put recyclable materials in the cart clean, loose and dry. Plastic bags do not belong in the curbside recycling cart.
Good blue-cart habits
- Keep recyclables clean, loose and dry.
- Rinse containers that still have food or liquid residue.
- Break down cardboard so it fits neatly.
- Take plastic bags back to a grocery or retail store drop-off.
- Use the county Waste Wizard when you are unsure about an item.
Do not put these in blue carts
- Plastic bags or bagged recycling.
- Food waste or liquids.
- Electronics, batteries or cords.
- Household hazardous waste.
- Loose shredded paper unless your hauler specifically allows it.
- Glass bottles and jars where your program directs glass to purple cans instead.
Fairfax County’s Purple Can Club is important because glass is not handled like ordinary curbside recycling in much of the region. Empty, clean and dry glass bottles and jars should go to purple glass recycling containers where available.
Fairfax County Yard Waste Collection: March 1 to December 24
For County Collection Customers, yard waste is collected and processed for recycling only from March 1 through December 24. It must be placed separately at the curb in compostable paper bags or rigid containers. Plastic bags are not allowed for yard waste collection.
| Yard waste question | Fairfax County answer for county customers | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| When is yard waste collected? | March 1 through December 24 for recycling. | Set yard waste separately from trash and recycling during the season. |
| What container should I use? | Compostable paper bags or rigid containers. | No plastic bags. Plastic-bagged yard waste can be rejected. |
| How much can I set out? | Limit is 10 compostable bags or containers per week. | Plan larger cleanups over multiple weeks or schedule special pickup. |
| What about bundles? | Small quantities can be tied in bundles up to 50 pounds, with pieces no longer than 4 feet and 6 inches in diameter. | More than 4 bundles should be scheduled as special pickup. |
| What happens Dec. 25 through February? | Yard waste must be bagged and placed in the trash cart. | Do not expect separate yard-waste recycling during this winter period. |
Soil, mulch, sod, stumps, whole trees, large branches, storm-damage cleanup, bamboo, invasive plants and contractor debris need another disposal path. Do not mix them into regular yard-waste set-out.
Fairfax County Bulk Trash and Special Pickup
Fairfax County calls this Special Pickup, and it applies to County Collection Customers. Private-hauler customers should call their collector or HOA. County special pickup must be scheduled in advance for Freon items, brush/limbs, bulk material, electronic waste and metal.
Five free special collections
County customer service includes five free special collections per customer per fiscal year, with schedule and commodity rules.
2 cubic yards
The standard special pickup limit is about 6 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high. Larger piles may be charged.
By 6 a.m.
Set approved special pickup material at the curb or street line by 6 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.
| Special pickup category | Examples | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Freon / coolant | Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners. | Schedule separately because refrigerant items need special handling. |
| Brush / limbs | Shrubs, tree limbs and branches under 6 inches in diameter and under 6 feet long. | No lumber or bamboo in brush; schedule those as bulk if accepted. |
| Bulk material | Sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, doors, mattresses, box springs, carpet rolls 6 feet or less, pallets, bamboo. | Items must be 6 feet or shorter and must be accepted on the county list. |
| Electronic waste | Computers, printers, monitors, phones, cameras, TVs, gaming devices and audio/video equipment. | Remove private data before pickup; broken electronics may follow different rules. |
| Metal | Stoves, washers, dryers, bedframes, metal shelves, grills with no propane tanks, exercise equipment, water heaters. | Separate metal from bulk material because different trucks collect different materials. |
Separate piles by material type, keep items under the listed size, place material at the curb/street line, and keep 20 feet of clearance above and around the pile. Do not put special pickup under utility wires or tree branches.
Fairfax County Holiday Trash Schedule 2026
For Fairfax County Collection Customers, the county says regular trash, recycling, yard waste and special collection services are provided on all holidays except Christmas Day. Severe weather or emergencies can still suspend collection, so holiday weeks should always be checked against county customer notices.
Most holidays run
County collection generally continues on county holidays, except Christmas Day.
Exception day
Check the county notice page before Christmas week because Christmas Day is the listed exception.
Different rules
Private companies and HOAs can delay or skip different holidays. Use the hauler’s notice, not the county customer page.
Missed Trash Pickup in Fairfax County: What to Check First
Do not report a missed pickup too early. Fairfax County says county customers should not report a missed collection until late in the day because crews may be delayed. Missed collections should be reported the following business day by 4:30 p.m.
Before calling 703-802-3322
- Was the cart out by 6 a.m.?
- Was it your correct collection day?
- Was the material inside the correct county cart?
- Was the recycling clean, loose and dry?
- Was the cart blocked by vehicles, snow, construction or landscaping?
- Was there a severe weather or emergency notice?
- Was the item actually special pickup, HHW, e-waste or disposal-center material?
Before calling Fairfax County
- Check your private hauler’s website or app.
- Check HOA email or community notice board.
- Confirm whether the holiday delayed your hauler’s route.
- Look for a tag or rejection notice.
- Call your hauler, HOA, landlord or property manager first.
Fairfax County Drop-Off, HHW, Electronics and Disposal Centers
Fairfax County residents can use county disposal centers for trash, recycling, food scraps and special materials. Some materials are free and some have fees. Proof of Fairfax County residency may be required, so bring a driver’s license, state ID, property tax bill or utility bill when needed.
| Facility | Address / phone | Resident trash & recycling hours | HHW / e-waste hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-66 Transfer Station | 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 703-631-1179, TTY 711 |
Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Open Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat; closed Wednesday. Check official hours before going. |
| I-95 Landfill Complex | 9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079 703-690-1703, TTY 711 |
Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Open Wednesday and Saturday. Latex paint only drop-off has separate Lot B hours. |
Never regular trash
Paint, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, rechargeable batteries and similar materials should use the household hazardous waste route.
Use e-waste hours
Computers, monitors, TVs, phones and other electronics should follow county e-waste guidance or special pickup when eligible.
Drop-off option
Fairfax County lists food scraps drop-off hours at its disposal centers. Check the locations page before driving.
Fairfax County Trash Costs, Bills and 2026 Rate Notes
Fairfax County trash costs depend on who provides service. Private-hauler customers are usually billed directly by the company or pay through HOA fees. County Collection Customers should use the county customer service and billing information. Disposal center fees can also apply when residents self-haul material to I-66 or I-95.
Bill or HOA dues
Your hauler or HOA controls the normal pickup charge, cart fees, extra bags, bulk service and holiday service details.
Facility fees may apply
Self-haul disposal can include minimum fees, item fees or special processing fees depending on material.
Rates can change
Fairfax County notices say disposal rates increase July 1, 2026. Confirm current rates before loading a vehicle.
Fairfax County Trash Pickup Map and Disposal Center Map
The embedded map below points to the I-66 Transfer Station, one of the county’s main disposal centers. For pickup service, do not use a general map pin. Use the official “Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?” address map because collection areas are service-boundary specific.
Official Fairfax County Video Help
Fairfax County publishes trash and recycling videos through its official video channels. The video below is helpful for residents who want a simple look at where trash goes after collection.
Official Fairfax County Links Residents Actually Need
Use the link that matches your problem. Do not start with bulk pickup when you only need a private hauler schedule, and do not use the county missed-pickup path for a private hauler route.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These related pages help Fairfax-area residents compare nearby municipal systems, private-hauler systems, bulk pickup rules and holiday delay logic without leaving the site from a dead-end page.
Reader Intent Coverage
This guide is structured around the real Fairfax resident problems behind search behavior: finding the pickup day by address, knowing whether Fairfax County or a private hauler collects the home, understanding City of Fairfax differences, checking recycling and yard-waste rules, scheduling bulk or special pickup, handling missed collection, confirming holiday service, and finding disposal centers near Fairfax or Lorton.
Service provider first
The article does not pretend Fairfax County has one universal trash day. It routes residents by county, private, HOA and City service.
Before the truck comes
Residents get set-out timing, cart preparation, yard waste limits, recycling contamination notes and missed-pickup timing.
Tools and reminders
The service-path helper, reminder text builder and bulk pile estimator make the page useful beyond a single search visit.
Fairfax County Trash Pickup FAQ
How do I find my Fairfax County trash pickup schedule?
Use the official Fairfax County “Does Fairfax County Pick Up My Trash?” map first. Enter your full street address. If Fairfax County serves your home, follow county collection customer rules. If not, contact your private hauler, HOA, landlord or property manager.
Does Fairfax County pick up trash for every resident?
No. Fairfax County says about 10% of residents receive collection directly from Fairfax County Government. Most residents and businesses use private collection companies or HOA-arranged service.
What time should county collection customers put trash out?
County Collection Customers should have trash and recycling at the curb inside county containers by 6 a.m. on the collection day. Collection can occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
What is the Fairfax County trash pickup phone number?
For Fairfax County Collection Customers, call 703-802-3322, TTY 711. For private collection, call your private hauler or HOA contact instead.
Does Fairfax County collect trash on holidays?
For County Collection Customers, Fairfax County says regular trash, recycling, yard waste and special collection services are provided on all holidays except Christmas Day. Severe weather or emergency notices can still affect service.
Is the City of Fairfax trash schedule the same as Fairfax County?
No. The City of Fairfax has its own route finder, refuse program and holiday collection schedule. Use City pages if your address is inside the City of Fairfax.
How do I report missed trash pickup in Fairfax County?
If Fairfax County Government is your collector, wait until late in the day, then report missed collection the following business day by 4:30 p.m. through county customer service or the official missed-pickup path. If you use private service, call your hauler or HOA.
Can I put bulk items out with regular trash?
County Collection Customers must schedule special pickup for bulk, brush, metal, e-waste and Freon/coolant items. Private-hauler customers should follow the hauler’s bulk item rules.
How much bulk material can Fairfax County special pickup take?
The standard county special pickup limit is 2 cubic yards, about 6 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high. Piles larger than that may be charged, and items must be accepted by category.
When does Fairfax County collect yard waste?
For County Collection Customers, yard waste is collected for recycling from March 1 through December 24. Use paper bags or rigid containers, not plastic bags, and follow bundle and weekly set-out limits.
Can plastic bags go in Fairfax County recycling?
No. Fairfax County tells residents to place recyclables clean, loose and dry in the blue recycling cart and to take plastic bags back to grocery or retail store drop-off locations.
Where can Fairfax County residents take hazardous waste or electronics?
Residents can use county household hazardous waste and e-waste drop-off services at I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex during listed hours. Bring proof of Fairfax County residency if required.
Where is the Fairfax County dump or recycling center?
The two main county disposal locations are I-66 Transfer Station at 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax and I-95 Landfill Complex at 9850 Furnace Road in Lorton. Check official hours and fees before going.
Is Trash-Pickup.org affiliated with Fairfax County?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. Use Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, HOA or private hauler sources for live service decisions, billing, official notices and emergency changes.
Final Fairfax County Resident Summary
The fastest way to solve Fairfax County trash pickup in 2026 is to identify the collector first. Use the official county map. If Fairfax County Government collects your home, set county carts out by 6 a.m., use 703-802-3322 for service help, follow county cart rules, and schedule special pickup before putting bulk items out. If a private hauler or HOA collects your home, follow that provider’s schedule, holiday rules and missed-pickup process.
For recycling, keep materials clean, loose and dry. For yard waste, use paper bags or rigid containers from March 1 through December 24 if you are a county customer. For hazardous waste, electronics, food scraps, disposal fees, or self-haul material, check I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex hours before driving.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
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Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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