Fairfax County Scraps Curbside Recycling Of Glass Items

FAIRFAX, VA — Residents receiving Fairfax County trash and recycling collection services can no longer put glass bottles and jars in curbside recycling bins. As of Oct. 1, residents must put glass in the trash or take it to purple containers set aside for glass recycling.

The county decided to remove glass from the curbside recycling service after conversations with Covanta Fairfax, Inc., which runs the waste-to-energy plant, and private recycling sorting centers. The county says broken glass can contaminate other recycled items such as cardboard and metals and damage machinery. Another factor is the weight of glass adding to the cost of transporting recyclables to recycling centers.

The region has a separate glass collection program at 21 purple collection containers. This glass is taken to the glass processing plant in Lorton and crushed to be used for a variety of projects. Clean glass bottles and jars of all colors are accepted. Glass items not taken are lamps, light bulbs, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, windows, and sheet glass.

Jurisdictions participating in the purple container program are Fairfax County, City of Alexandria, Arlington County and Prince William County.

Locations of purple glass collection containers are:

• Fairfax County Recycling and Disposal Center: 9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
• Franconia Governmental Center: 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
• Mount Vernon District Governmental Center: 2511 Parkers Lane, Mt. Vernon, VA, 22306
• Springfield District Governmental Center: 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA, 22152
• Mason District Governmental Center: 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 2200
• Providence Community Center: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
• Fairfax County Government Center – Lot B: 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
• I-66 Transfer Station: 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Sully District Governmental Center: 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA 20151
• Reston South Park and Ride: 2531 Reston Parkway, Herndon, VA 20191
• Lee Community Center: 5722 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207
• Cherrydale Branch Library: 2190 Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207
• Quincy Park: 1021 N Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201
• 2800 S Taylor Street, Arlington, VA 22206
• Aurora Hills Recreation Center: 735 18th Street S, Arlington, VA 22202
• Tower Court and S Whiting Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
• 4251 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
• 3224 Colvin Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• S Royal Street and Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Prince William County Landfill: 14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112
• Balls Ford Road Yard Waste Compost Facility: 13000 Balls Ford Road, Manassas, VA 20109

The county advises residents to avoid putting certain items in curbside recycling bins. Allowed items are: plastic bottles and jugs (with lids on), metal food and beverage cans, cartons, mixed paper and cardboard. Items not allowed are: plastic bags, film and pillow packaging; glass; food bags and wrappers; foam and plastic takeout containers and cups; needles and medical waste; diapers; clothing; shredded paper; mixed packaging; hangers, hoses and cables; and batteries.