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Waste Management
The City of Charlottesville’s solid waste program incorporates the principles of Sustainable Waste Management and Landfill Diversion. Recycling, composting, and trash service for residents and businesses are provided in a layered approach by the City and the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority, with supplemental private sector options available.
Waste collection at public locations is managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation (City-owned parks and recreation facilities, the Downtown Mall, City-operated markets), Charlottesville Area Transit (bus stops), and Charlottesville City Schools (school facilities).
Report an Issue with Trash/Recycling Service
Download the MyCville app to your phone to report an issue with your trash or recycling service to the appropriate department for quick resolution.
Be a Better Recycler
Recycling & Trash Collection
The City provides curbside recycling and curbside trash collection with additional source-separated recycling drop-off available at the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s McIntire Recycling Center.
Composting
Multiple options are available for drop-off composting collection of household compostable materials including food waste, plant-based organic materials, and certified-compostable plastics. Landscaping and yard waste material is not accepted by the area composting drop-off programs.
Curbside composting collection is available for direct contract from private providers and can accept both household compostables and yard waste material.
Landscape/Yard Waste
The City of Charlottesville does not offer curbside yard waste collection, with the exception of Leaf Collection in the fall/winter.
Landscaping and yard waste material is accepted for drop-off by several local composting farms/facilities and at the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Curbside composting collection can accept yard waste material and is available for direct contract from private providers.
Large Item & Bulky Waste
The City of Charlottesville offers fee-based curbside Large Item Pickup of large furniture, appliances, tree limbs, and other large or bulky items that cannot fit in a trash container. Residential addresses receiving City-operated curbside trash and recycling collection are eligible for this service.
Free Bulky Waste collection of Tires, Furniture, Mattresses, and Appliances is offered periodically by the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority at their Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Bulky Waste Amnesty Days webpage for more information.
Other Items
Electronics, Appliances, Ink & Toner, Etc.
Electronic waste collection is periodically offered at the Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s E-Waste webpage for details.
Staples and Best Buy offer recycling options for electronics, appliances, and more. See store webpages for details.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority periodically provides hazardous waste collection at their Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check Rivanna’s Hazardous Waste Collection webpage for details.
Paint Collection
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority offers daily paint collection at their Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check their webpage for paint collection guidelines and details.
Trash and Recycling
The City provides curbside trash and curbside recycling to commercial businesses located along the Uptown/Downtown Corridor. All other business locations need to contract privately for collection and are encouraged to utilize commercially available recycling, composting, and trash services.
Composting and Landscape/Yard Waste
Composting collection for food waste, landscape/yard waste, and other plant-based, organic or certified-compostable material is available to commercial entities by direct contract from private providers.
Landscape and yard waste material is accepted for drop-off by several local composting farms/facilities and at the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Ivy Materials Utilization Center.
The City of Charlottesville does not currently offer collection service for landscaping material or composting to commercial entities.
Commercial Hazardous Waste Collection
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority periodically provides hazardous waste collection for commercial entities at their Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check Rivanna’s Hazardous Waste Collection webpage for details.
Paper
Non-profit groups and commercial enterprises with valid business licenses can drop off boxboard, file stock (computer paper), corrugated cardboard, and newspapers/magazine at the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s Paper Sort Facility for high-quality recycling service.
Other Services
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority accepts additional materials at their Ivy Materials Utilization Center. Please check their website to confirm details, hours, and fees.
Service Schedule Impacts
Holidays, winter weather, and other types of emergency events can alter the schedule and delivery of our trash/recycling services. To stay informed and up-to-date on the latest scheduling updates please check out the following resources:
Recycle Coach Application
- Current schedule information can be accessed by using the Recycle Coach App on your mobile device or computer.
City Website
- Snow and winter weather event information will be updated here .
- Other weather and emergency event information updates will be displayed in the top message banner on the City homepage.
- Sign up for emergency alert notifications here .
Social Media
- Stay informed about all Public Works services, including trash/recycling scheduling updates by visiting our Twitter.
- Stay informed on all City services and announcements by visiting City Hall's Twitter or Facebook page.