Solid Waste Division Makes Spring Cleaning Convenient

Repair, Recycle, Donate, Compost, and Dispose of with Caution

Spring is the time for renewal.   With spring on the horizon, spring cleaning is not far behind. Prince William County Solid Waste Division has several programs to help residents declutter, organize, and dispose of unwanted items in an environmentally responsible way, keeping many things out of the County Landfill.

Dumpster Days and Community Clean-Ups are great ways to clean out and declutter your space and the area around your neighborhood. At these events, residents can dispose of lots of household trash and even bulky items like furniture and appliances. Neighbors are also encouraged to coordinate a community cleanup with Keep Prince William Beautiful and take advantage of the special onsite dumpster.   A schedule of the spring events is available at www.pwcva.gov/dumpster-days.

Other Solid Waste Division reuse, recycling, and disposal options:

Yard Waste - Residents can drop off yard waste, such as lawn clippings, tree limbs, leaves, etc., at the Compost Facility or the Prince William County Landfill in designated areas where it will be processed into mulch or compost.

Garage “garbage” – Often, items found in garages have a special disposal area at the County’s Solid Waste facilities. Residents may drop off lead-acid automotive batteries, used antifreeze, oil and filters, household batteries, and scrap metal pieces at specially designated areas at the Landfill or the Compost Facility.

In-home clutter - Donation is a great way to free yourself of unwanted items. Clothes, shoes, linens, furniture, and small household appliances can meet a need or become someone else's treasure when donated.   Check out the types of items accepted by local reuse organizations and the donation bins at the Landfill or Compost Facility.   

Paper Shredding – The Solid Waste Division will host a spring paper shredding event on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or trucks reach capacity) in the Pfitzner Stadium parking lot. Several of the Dumpster Day events also have free paper shredding available.  Visit

Household Hazardous Waste—These items may be found in the yard, garage, shed, or inside the home. Insecticides, paints, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol cans, drain cleaners, gasoline, and more require cautious disposal. Residents must take extra care when discarding these items to help prevent them from harming septic systems and soils, even their homes, and to ensure better health and safety for people, pets, and the environment.

Prince William County residents can dispose of these materials at no extra cost, but the items should be sealed in their original labeled containers. For more information on the county’s Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling program hours and restrictions, please visit www.pwcva.gov/trashandrecycling.

During spring cleaning season and throughout the year, Prince William County residents may find items that are no longer needed, but it is not all trash. Many items can be repaired and reused, donated, recycled, or composted. Those that must be disposed of may require careful handling and proper disposal methods. The Prince William County Solid Waste Division offers an appropriate place at the landfill for almost everything. For more information on disposal options, visit the A to Z disposal guide on the Solid Waste webpage.