Solid Waste Management

Our best shot is to avoid creating waste in the first place.  Look for ways to reduce your waste:  avoid disposable items, look for products with less packaging and buy in bulk.  Play it smart, reduce waste!​

The Department of Public Works is dedicated to preserving and extending the useful life of the County Landfill.  This goal can be achieved through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.  Waste reduction is the first and most effective way since it helps prevent waste creation in the first place.  It also helps residents and businesses save money and has the least negative environmental impact. 

WASTE REDUCTION 

Tips anyone can practice:

• Purchase or produce items in just the amount needed
• Buy in bulk when the item has a long shelf life and can be completely used
• Buy concentrated products
• Choose items with less packaging
• Choose items that have a longer life and can be readily recycled
• Consider sharing, renting, or borrowing items that are used infrequently
• Select durable items that can be used more than once and avoid disposables
• Use a reusable cloth bag to bring home purchased items
• Don't take a store bag if you purchase only one or two items
• Use cloth napkins, washable silverware, dishes, and dishcloths
• Use sealable storage containers rather than plastic wraps
• Buy rechargeable batteries
• Avoid individually packaged items
• Bring mugs and cups to your favorite coffee shop
• Leave your grass clippings on the lawn after mowing to provide nitrogen
• Landscape with native plants that require less mowing and pruning
• Compost your grass, leaves, lawn trimmings, and vegetable scraps
• Share information electronically when you can
• Eliminate junk mail; ask companies to remove your name from their mailing list

 

Think and rethink your purchase actions and choices.  Buy reusable items like rechargeable batteries, razors, and water bottles, and shopping bags. Rent, share, and borrow items that you use infrequently!  Find new uses for items or donate usable items!  Stop and think to find the winning play!

DONATION/REUSE ALTERNATIVES

At  Solid Waste Facilities - Clothing, Shoes, Linens, and Accessories

Many items that end up in the landfill are still in good working condition.  These items could be given away, donated, or sold. 

Clothing and textile donation bins are located at the Landfill and Compost Facility convenience centers. Bins are accessible during operating hours. This collection program is operated by ReClothing, LLC dba Helpsy. 

Residents can put a variety of items in the bins for reuse and recycling.  Generally, if someone can wear sleep-in or dry off with it, it can be donated--clothing, footwear, linens.  In addition, apparel accessories, luggage, and stuffed animals can also be donated. 

In The Community - Clothing, Furnishings, Toys, Household Items, and more...

There are numerous organizations that accept usable items and materials to help families in need. These items may be given directly to families or sold in thrift shops. Donations are accepted by:

• 2nd Ave Value Stores, 13770 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, (703) 897-0126 (TTY:711)
• ACTS Thrift Store, 3661 Canal Road, Dumfries, (703) 221-3298 (TTY:711)
• B-thrifty, 13412 Jefferson Davis Highway, Woodbridge, (703) 496-5100 (TTY:711)
• Copper Cricket, 15026 Washington Street, Haymarket, (703) 743-2346 (TTY:711)
• GreenDrop, 13770 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge
• GreenDrop, 12713 Braemar Village Plaza, Bristow
• GreenDrop, 10010 Sowder Village Square, Manassas
• Goodwill, 8014 Sudley Road, Manassas, (703) 551-3200 (TTY:711)
• Goodwill, 9769 Liberia Avenue, Manassas, (571) 921-4194 (TTY:711)
• Goodwill, 2950 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, (703) 986-3976 (TTY:711)
• House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Court, Manassas, (703) 659-1636 (TTY:711)
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 10159 Hastings Drive, Manassas, (703) 369-6145 (TTY:711)
• Instruments in the Attic, 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, (703) 993-9889  (TTY:711)
• Salvation Army, 11201 Balls Ford Road, Manassas, (703) 686-4607 (TTY:711)
• Salvation Army, 13287-D Gordon Boulevard, Woodbridge, (703) 490-2396 (TTY:711)
• SAVERS Woodbridge, 14427 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, (703) 491-9170 (TTY:711)
• Upscale Seconds, 14891 Washington Street, Haymarket, (703) 468-1793 (TTY:711)

Additionally, several organizations have clothing and shoe bins in parking lots and public locations throughout the County. Look for blue, yellow, or white bins that resemble a large mailbox.  Please follow the instructions posted on the collection box. Do not leave items outside the bin.

Generally, donation centers, thrift shops, and collection boxes accept the following textile items: pants, dresses, hats, shirts, drapes, curtains, blankets, towels, sheets, handbags, belts, and paired shoes. These materials may be sent along to the designated charity. 

Note:  Please do not include wet or mildewed materials, carpets, and rugs, or rubber. For more information, please call (703) 792-4670 (TTY:711). 

Books, CDs, and Video Games

Residents may recycle books, CDs, and video games by donating them to the County Libraries. Donations may be added to the library collection, sold through the Friends of the Library to support library programs, or recycled.

Residents can also donate books at designated collection bins placed by various charity organizations or Little Free Library boxes in the community. 

In addition, residents can sell or trade books and other media through several local shops:

• 2nd and Charles, 2904 Prince William Pkwy, Woodbridge, VA, (703) 680-3175 (TTY:711) or http://2ndandcharles.com
• McKay Used Books, Manaport Plaza,  8345 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA, (703) 361-9042 (TTY:711) or http://mckayusedbooks.biz/
• Better World Books, www.betterworldbooks.com (book reuse drop-off bins)

Building Supplies and Materials

Habitat for Humanity runs the ReStore, a shop that accepts new and gently used building supplies and materials from corporations, construction companies, and individuals. ReStore particularly needs doors, windows, cabinets, and working appliances less than five years old. Any building or remodeling material and some household items that still can be used may be accepted. ReStore is located at 10159 Hastings Drive in Manassas, 703-369-6145 (TTY:711).

Other Resources Online

There are also many online options, such as Earth911, Craigslist, and Freecycle, to find a place to take items or people interested in usable items. 

A few more ideas for around the house!

• Hold a yard sale for items that you no longer need 
• When shopping, bring reusable bags (take plastic bags back to stores for recycling)
• Use reusable water bottles instead of single-use bottled water
• Use sponges and dish towels instead of paper towels
• Fix appliances that are worn out instead of throwing them away
• Use both sides of the paper or use it for scratch pads
• Reuse mailing envelopes and boxes for your mailings
• Reuse packing peanuts or take them to a mailing service that accepts them
• Donate newspapers (no inserts, please) to the animal shelter