Recycling is good for the economy, creates jobs, saves energy, reduces water and air pollution, and conserves landfill space. Recycling is also mandatory for residents and businesses in Prince William County. Recycling requirements for residents and businesses vary. View the “Recycling at Home” or “Recycling at the Office” links below to learn more. Recycling collection in Prince William County is handled by private waste management companies which are required to collect certain separated recyclable materials. While these companies offer recycling services, they will not sort through trash to pull out recyclable items, so it is important that everyone in your household and office understands how the recycling program works.

The County has a voluntary goal of recycling 40% of its trash, but currently only about 30% of the County’s trash is recycled. Nearly 60% of the trash generated in the County is disposed at the Prince William County Sanitary Landfill, which is not sustainable indefinitely. If you look at what goes into a typical landfill, about 53% is made up of paper, yard waste, and metal -- which are items that are very easy to recycle. So please do your part and recycle!

LEARN MORE ABOUT . . .

• RECYCLING AT HOME – requirements, waste reducing material preparation, drop-off centers, and how to locate service providers.
• 2009 ANNUAL RECYLING REPORTING SURVEY FOR BUSINESSES AND NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN PWC – fill out the survey and report your recycling for last year.  Also learn about the County’s efforts to reduce waste and recycle..... for more click here
• RECYCLING AT THE OFFICE - requirements, how to set up a recycling program at your workplace, locate service providers, or obtain interior recycling containers, and improve education.
• RECYCLING AT SPECIAL EVENTS – the County’s program for loaning out recycling bins to community groups to facilitate recycling at special events.
• RECYCLING FACTS – interesting recycling facts, recycling rates for various materials, and other reasons to recycle.
• COMPUTER & ELECTRONICS RECYCLING – how to properly handle computer and electronic equipment.
• WHERE TO SELL RECYCLABLES – where you can sell recyclable items.
• NEWS AND INFORMATION
• MORE RESOURCES 

The Solid Waste Division hopes that you find this information helpful in reducing your waste. If you have additional questions, call 703-792-4670.

Source: EPA, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2008.

News & Information

Thank you for joining us on  Prince William Recycles Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at the County Landfill. Families and boy scouts enjoyed a day filled with games and prizes, landfill tours, prizes, face painting, free hot dogs and drinks, purchase a compost bin, and informational displays. The event also offered free paper shredding for up to four boxes of paper.

Sponsors: Davis Industries, SCS Engineers, AAA Recycling & Trash Services, Canusa Hershman Recycling of Virginia LLC, Fortistar Methane Group, Waste Management, Charlie & Son Trash Service, Inc., Potomac Disposal Services of VA, Solid Waste Services LLC, SP Recycling, Ashbritt, Inc.

Prizes and donations contributed by Aegis Environmental, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Glory Days Grill, Red Lobster, Famous Daves, Daniel H. Barrett Trucking, Inc., Golder and Associates, PW Park Authority, Giant Food 4309 Dale Blvd, Safeway #1702 and American Disposal Services, Inc.

Exhibitors, volunteers, and staff: SCS Engineers, Charlie & Son Trash Service Inc., Master Gardeners, PW Clean Community Council, School Recycling, Davis Industries, Face Odyssey, June Leatherman/Shaklee Products, and PWC Solid Waste Division Landfill Displays, Recycling, P.A. System, and Registration. Click the link for information on more America Recycles Day Events in the area.  

More Resources

• Prince William is a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG).
• Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Recycling and Litter Prevention Information – learn more about recycling and litter prevention programs in the Commonwealth including those for grants, litter prevention, recycling, locality recycling rates, and other useful information.
• Virginia Recycling Association – state recycling association and a good source of information for school recycling.
• Library Going Green Resources - a collection of material available at PWC public libraries.  
• National Service Center for Environmental Publications maintains and distributes Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publications in hard copy, CD ROM and other multi-media formats. The current publication inventory includes more than 7,000 titles. NSCEP also develops and distributes the annual EPA National Publications Catalog.  The EPA also provides information on recycling and protecting the environment, including educational resources for kids, students, teens, teachers and researchers.
• EPA Recycling Publications  – a listing of publications on the topic of recycling by the EPA.

• EPA Solid Waste Office – Basic Solid Waste Facts Page.

WHERE TO SELL RECYCLABLES – There are four companies  located in or near Prince William County that deal in scrap metals. Contact these companies directly to learn more about material pricing:

Davis Industries, Inc. 9920 Richmond Hwy. Lorton, VA 22079 Phone: 703-491-5050	Manassas Scrap 9047 Jerry’s Circle Manassas, VA 20110 Phone: 703-369-3049
Potomac Metals Manassas 11900 Livingston Rd - Suite 165 Manassas, VA 20109 Phone: 703-330-3444	Prince William Metals 7905 Notes Drive Manassas, VA 20109 Phone: 703-330-5881

Return to Top
Back to the About Solid Waste Management Page.