Recycling Guide

Every item you properly recycle contributes to a healthier, more sustainable Richmond. By diverting waste from landfills, we conserve valuable natural resources, reduce pollution, save energy, and create a cleaner environment for everyone in the RVA.

Why Recycle in Richmond?

While recycling is vital, proper recycling is crucial. Putting non-recyclable items into your bin – often called "wishcycling" – can actually contaminate entire loads, costing our community money and sending otherwise recyclable materials straight to the landfill. Let's work together to avoid contamination!

Recycling guidelines can vary significantly from one city to another and even year to year. This guide provides the most current and accurate information for Richmond, VA, based on the expert guidelines set by the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), your official source for all things waste and recycling in our region.

The Golden Rules of Recycling

  • Rule 1: Clean & Dry is Key:

    • Why: Food residue, liquids, and grease can contaminate other recyclable materials, making them unusable and forcing the entire batch to be sent to the landfill.

    • How: Give all containers a quick rinse and ensure they are dry before placing them in your recycling cart.

  • Rule 2: Don't Bag Recyclables:

    • Why: Plastic bags (like grocery bags, trash bags, or even bags of recyclables) are the #1 contaminant in single-stream recycling facilities. They get tangled in sorting machinery, cause costly breakdowns, and are dangerous for workers.

    • How: Place all accepted recyclable items loose directly into your blue recycling cart. Plastic bags themselves should never go in your curbside bin.

  • Rule 3: When in Doubt, Throw it Out:

    • Why: It's better to put a questionable item in your regular trash bin than to risk contaminating an entire load of good recyclables. One wrong item can spoil the batch!

    • How: If you're unsure whether an item is recyclable, consult the CVWMA's helpful online tools (we'll link to them below!). If you still can't confirm, assume it's trash for now.

What CAN Go in Your Curbside Recycling Bin

General Note: These are the most common items accepted in your blue single-stream residential recycling cart provided by the CVWMA. Always remember to make sure items are clean and dry!

  • A. Paper & Cardboard:

    • Accepted:

      • Corrugated Cardboard: (e.g., shipping boxes, moving boxes) – Flattened.

      • Paperboard: (e.g., cereal boxes, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, shoeboxes) – Flattened.

      • Mixed Paper: (e.g., newspapers, magazines, junk mail, office paper, brochures, paperbacks, phone books, envelopes).

    • Preparation:

      • Always flatten cardboard boxes.

      • Remove all packing materials like plastic wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, or bubble wrap.

      • NOT Accepted: Greasy pizza boxes (due to food contamination), paper towels, tissues, shredded paper (too small to sort, though some drop-off centers may accept it – check CVWMA).

  • B. Plastic Bottles, Jugs, & Tubs (Plastics #1, #2, and sometimes #5):

    • Accepted:

      • Plastic bottles (e.g., water bottles, soda bottles).

      • Plastic jugs (e.g., milk jugs, detergent jugs).

      • Plastic tubs (e.g., yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese containers).

      • Look for the recycling symbol with a #1 or #2 inside. Some facilities also accept #5. The CVWMA primarily emphasizes bottles, jugs, and tubs.

    • Preparation:

      • Rinse thoroughly to remove all food or liquid residue.

      • Labels can stay on.

      • Caps/Lids: Small plastic caps are generally not accepted loose in your bin as they fall through sorting machinery. If you must leave them on, make sure they are tightly screwed back onto the empty, clean bottle/jug. Otherwise, discard them in the trash. Large plastic lids from tubs should also go in the trash.

    • Important Note: This category is specifically for containers as described. Items like plastic cups (even if they have a #), plastic toys, garden pots, or blister packaging are generally not accepted curbside.

  • C. Metal Cans:

    • Accepted:

      • Aluminum Beverage Cans: (e.g., soda, beer cans).

      • Steel/Tin Food Cans: (e.g., soup cans, vegetable cans, pet food cans).

    • Preparation:

      • Rinse thoroughly.

      • Labels can stay on.

  • D. Glass Bottles & Jars:

    • Accepted:

      • Clear, brown, and green glass food and beverage bottles and jars (e.g., wine bottles, beer bottles, jam jars, pickle jars).

    • Preparation:

      • Rinse thoroughly.

      • Remove lids and caps – these should be discarded in the trash.

      • NOT Accepted: Broken glass (safety hazard), ceramics, drinking glasses, Pyrex, window glass, mirrors, light bulbs – these items have different chemical compositions and melting points than bottle glass.

What ABSOLUTELY CANNOT Go in Your Curbside Bin (Common Contaminants)

This list is just as important as what can be recycled! Putting these items in your bin creates problems for the entire system and can lead to entire loads being rejected.

  • Plastic Bags & Plastic Film: This includes grocery bags, trash bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, plastic film from cases of water, etc. These bags tangle the recycling machinery.

  • Styrofoam: (e.g., packing peanuts, foam cups, take-out containers, egg cartons).

  • Food Waste & Food-Soiled Items: Any item with significant food residue, like greasy pizza boxes, food scraps, or unrinsed containers.

  • Electronics (E-Waste): TVs, computers, cell phones, printers, small appliances, Christmas lights. These contain hazardous materials and components that require special recycling.

  • Batteries: All types (especially lithium-ion). These are a major fire hazard in collection vehicles and recycling facilities.

  • Clothing & Textiles: Old clothes, shoes, rags, linens. These can tangle machinery and need to be donated or recycled through specific textile programs.

  • Ceramics, Dishes, & Drinking Glasses: Coffee mugs, plates, bowls, Pyrex, windows, mirrors. These are not the same type of glass as bottles/jars and cannot be recycled together.

  • Scrap Metal (Large Items): Pots, pans, tools, metal shelving, car parts. These are too large and dense for single-stream recycling.

  • Hazardous Waste: Paint, motor oil, chemicals, pesticides, antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs. These are dangerous and require specialized disposal.

  • Medical Waste/Sharps: Needles, syringes, medication. These pose health risks.

  • Yard Waste: Leaves, branches, grass clippings. These are typically collected separately or can be composted.

  • Diapers: Never recyclable.

Beyond the Bin: Special Recycling & Disposal Options in Richmond

Just because something can't go in your curbside bin doesn't mean it's destined for the landfill! Richmond and the surrounding areas offer various ways to responsibly dispose of or recycle challenging items.

  • Plastic Film/Bags: Many local grocery stores (e.g., Kroger, Walmart, Food Lion, Target) have collection bins at their entrances specifically for clean, dry plastic bags and film.

  • Electronics (E-Waste) & Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): The CVWMA hosts special collection events throughout the year at various locations. This is the primary way to safely dispose of old electronics, paints, chemicals, and other hazardous materials. Check their website for event schedules.

  • Batteries: Many retail stores (e.g., Lowe's, Home Depot, Batteries Plus) and some local government facilities have drop-off points for various types of batteries (especially rechargeable and button cell). Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) are generally safe to dispose of in regular trash, but recycling them is preferred where available.

  • Donations: Clothing, furniture, books, and household goods in good condition can be donated to local charities (e.g., Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore) or listed on online giving platforms.

  • Tires: CVWMA usually accepts tires at their Household Hazardous Waste events or specific collection sites.

  • Composting: Explore options for composting food scraps and yard waste. Some private services offer food scrap collection, and many communities encourage backyard composting. Check with CVWMA for any local composting initiatives.

Your Go-To Local Resources (Powered by CVWMA)

Remember: When in doubt, the CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) is your ultimate local recycling authority! They manage our region's waste and recycling programs and provide comprehensive, up-to-date information.

  • CVWMA "What's Recyclable?" Search Tool: This is the most valuable tool for specific item questions. Simply type in an item, and it will tell you how to dispose of it in our area. (Link to CVWMA's search tool page)

  • CVWMA Collection Schedule & Service Area Information: Find your specific recycling and trash pickup days and other service details for your address. (Link to CVWMA's collection schedule/service area page)

  • CVWMA Drop-Off Locations: Find locations for recycling centers or transfer stations for items not accepted curbside. (Link to CVWMA's drop-off locations page)

  • CVWMA Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Events: View the calendar for upcoming special collection events. (Link to CVWMA's events calendar)

  • CVWMA Contact Information: Have a question not answered online? Reach out directly to the experts. (Link to CVWMA's contact page)

Thank you for learning how to recycle correctly in Richmond! Your efforts are crucial for a sustainable community. Each recycled item matters. By following guidelines and using CVWMA resources, we can boost recycling and cut waste. Let's make Richmond greener, one correctly recycled item at a time