Yard waste collection is set to resume next week in Arlington, after a four-month hiatus.
Residential waste collection customers have had to do without the weekly collection of organic material since early May, when the county suspended it on account of increased trash volumes during the pandemic over-stretching collection crews.
Arlington County announced this morning that the service is set to resume this coming Monday, Aug. 31.
“During the first week of service restoration, limit yard waste to the green cart and up to five paper organics bags. This will help ensure collection crews are not overwhelmed and can complete routes on schedule,” the county urged.
Overall, the volume of trash collected from residential waste customers — mostly those living in single-family homes — has increased by more than 30% during the pandemic, as people stay home from work, school and other activities. Arlington’s waste collection contractor “continues to experience staffing issues” and delays as a result of the increased workload and other pandemic-related challenges, according to the county.
Arlington opened two drop-off sites for organic waste during the collection suspension, which were utilized both by homeowners and a cottage industry of enterprising students hauling yard waste for a fee. The drop-off sites will be closing next Friday at noon.
To compensate for the lack of yard waste collection, the county says it will be crediting $10.77 back to those who pay the household solid waste fee.
The full county press release is below.
Arlington residential curbside yard waste collection will resume on Monday, Aug. 31 after a temporary suspension that began in May due to contractor staffing issues related to COVID-19.
During the first week of service restoration, limit yard waste to the green cart and up to five paper organics bags. This will help ensure collection crews are not overwhelmed and can complete routes on schedule.
Curbside collection of larger yard waste material like brush and limbs remains available by appointment. Never use plastic bags for yard waste — they can’t be mulched and won’t be collected.
Household Solid Waste Credit
The County will be issuing a $10.77 credit to the Household Solid Waste Rate, which is assessed on customer’s quarterly water/sewer/refuse utility bills.
Temporary Drop-off Locations Closing Sept. 4
The County’s temporary yard waste drop-off locations at the Trades Center and mulch pick-up site at North 26th Street and Yorktown Boulevard will be unavailable after 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4.
If you have any questions or issues, call our Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. A customer service representative will be happy to assist you. We would like to thank our customers for their patience during this unprecedented and challenging time.
Help Keep Trash/Recycling Service on Track
Arlington’s trash/recycling contractor continues to experience staffing issues due to COVID-19. As a result, some routes recently have not been completed on their scheduled day, requiring a follow-up run the next day. If trash and/or recycling is not collected on your service day, leave the carts at the curb the next day.
If carts have not been serviced by noon the second day, submit a missed collection ticket online or by calling 703-228-5000.
Residential trash tonnage has increased more than 30% during the pandemic.
To help ensure their health and safety and maintain our collection schedule, please follow these simple steps:
- Minimize setting extra bags outside the cart.
- Keep your spring cleaning pile in your basement or garage for now.
- Flatten cardboard boxes to create more room in the recycling cart.
- Dispose of used wipes, tissues and paper towels in firmly tied trash bags.
- If you have a large quantity of cardboard boxes, drop them off at one of our recycling drop-off sites.
- Drop off glass bottles and jars at a recycling drop-off center instead of throwing them in the trash.
- Make an appointment to drop off household hazardous materials Monday through Thursday. Call 703-228-5000 to schedule.
- Grasscycle and let the cut blades feed the lawn.
- Compost or drop off food scraps and other organic waste.