Curbside Recycling in Prince William 2019

Markets for recyclable materials have drastically changed over the past year. Many of the items accepted in the past for recycling are no longer accepted. Last Spring Prince William County changed the rules for curbside recycling. Recycling creates jobs, saves energy, reduces water and air pollution, and conserves landfill space. It is easy and something we can all make part of our everyday lives. In addition, though it is rarely enforced, recycling is mandatory for residents and businesses in Prince William County. Currently, we recycle 34.6% of our waste.

Remember, if you put items that do not meet the new strict standards for recycling the entire truck load will have to be disposed of as trash. So, do it right. Now seems like a good time to review the changes so that you can fill your bin properly.

In Prince William County you CANNOT recycle glass. You can only recycle:

• Plastic bottles and jugs with a triangle with the number 1 or 2 on the bottom
• Aluminum and steel food and drink cans
• Newspapers and mixed paper
• Cardboard and paperboard boxes (cereal boxes, tissue boxes etc. )

 That’s it.

Remember to rinse out all bottles and cans. DO NOT recycle bottles that previously contained hazardous materials (such as oil, flammable materials, chemicals, etc.). Newspaper and mixed paper  white/colored paper, magazines, catalogs, books, junk mail (even envelopes with clear windows) and paperboard boxes (e.g. cereal tissue etc.), paper towel and toilet tissue cores. Flattened cardboard and paperboard up to 2 ft. X 2 ft. in size. Do not include cardboard with food residue or plastic liners.