Arlington County Solid Waste Bureau Recycling Service Enhancements
Introduction Arlington County provides weekly curbside collection of refuse and recycling funded by the Household Solid Waste Rate. The current collection contracts will expire on June 30, 2014. The awarding of new contracts presents the County with the opportunity to enhance the services we provide to our residents. The Solid Waste Bureau needs your help in deciding if and how we implement these changes.
Solid Waste Management Plan In 2004, the Arlington County Board adopted the Solid Waste Management Plan. This 20-year planning document laid the foundation for the continued enhancement of the County’s Solid Waste Management System. As part of the Plan, Arlington county establishes recycling rate goals. The newly proposed goal is a 60% Residential Recycling Rate by 2025. 50% by 2015 55% by 2020 60% by 2025
Solid Waste Management Plan
The Solid Waste Management Plan also calls for the addition of year around yard waste and food waste collection to the already comprehensive list of services provided by the county through the Household Solid Waste Rate.
Household Solid Waste Services Today ∗ Refuse Collection ∗ Refuse Disposal ∗ Refuse Carts ∗ Recycling Collection ∗ Free Much ∗ Brush Collection ∗ Metal Collection ∗ Earth Products Recycling Yard ∗ Leaf Season ∗ Spring Yard Waste Season ∗ Call Center Access ∗ Administration
Waste Audit The County recently conducted a waste audit and found that as much as 60% of what was in residential trash cans was either yard or food waste.
According to EPA’s hierarchy, Source Reduction, Reuse, Recycling or Composting are the most preferred methods for waste management.
Source Reduction and Reuse Yard Waste Reduction & Reuse - Grasscycle: Use a bagless lawn mower - Alternative Landscaping: Develop mulch islands, natural areas, ground over, perennials and; - Build a Compost Pile. Food Waste Reduction & Reuse - Shop Wisely: Purchase only what you can eat before it spoils - Eat Leftovers: Find creative ways to use excess food and; - Compost at Home.
Recycling and Composting Year-Around Yard Waste Collection Bag Option - Self Purchased or - County Provided
Bag & Cart Option - Bags now for yard waste and add a 3rd cart when food waste collection is implemented.
Increasing Recycling Rates
The County’s Residential Recycling Rate for 2012 was 50.2%. By reducing waste at its source and recycling additional materials, Arlington County’s residential recycling rate could reach as high as 79%. Current
5%
15%
30%
Tell Us What You Think
Please take a moment to complete a quick survey to let us know if and how you would like to see these expanded services implemented. Just click on the