Northern Virginia property owners and community managers: simplify apartment recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep aligns your community with local recycling ordinances across the D.C. Metro (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County/City, Falls Church, Loudoun County, Prince William County—including Triangle—Manassas, and Manassas Park) to cut contamination and lift NOI with a turnkey program.
Across Northern Virginia, multifamily properties are required to provide or arrange recycling service. Some jurisdictions place explicit duties on each multifamily dwelling to implement onsite systems; others require collectors to provide recycling for multifamily accounts. Design standards, education, and reporting may apply.
- Compliance & Risk: Meet local code—avoid violations, fees, or rejected loads.
- Cleaner Sites: Doorstep recycling reduces overflow and boosts resident satisfaction.
- Turnkey Execution: We right-size service, set up containers/signage, and train residents.
- Designed for MF: Bin-room layouts, hauler coordination, monthly audits, and reporting.
At a Glance — Northern Virginia Multifamily Recycling Mandates
| Jurisdiction | Mandate Type | Applicability Threshold | Primary Reference (code / official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria (Independent City) | Mandatory Recycling | Each “multiple-family dwelling” (no numeric unit count stated) | Alexandria Code Title 5, Ch.1, Article H |
| Arlington County | Mandatory Recycling | Each multi-family dwelling | County Code Ch.10, Article IV (Recycling) |
| Fairfax County | Mandatory Recycling / System Required | All multifamily properties must provide a recycling system | §109.1-2-2 · County MF Toolkit |
| Fairfax City (separate from County) | Recycling required via private service for MF | MF not served by city curbside; property arranges service | City Solid Waste |
| Falls Church (Independent City) | Business & Multifamily recycling required | All MF; reporting/education may apply to businesses | City Recycling (Business & MF) |
| Loudoun County (outside towns) | Mandatory Recycling (collectors must provide MF recycling; MF must provide access) | All MF; property ensures resident access and containers | County Recycling · Ch.1084/1086 |
| Prince William County (incl. Triangle) | Mandatory Recycling | Countywide (Triangle CDP follows same rules) | County Recycling |
| Manassas (Independent City) | MF via private service (city curbside excludes MF) | All MF arrange service through haulers | City Trash & Recycling |
| Manassas Park (Independent City) | Mandatory standards; MF generally private service | All MF follow city solid-waste rules; arrange service | City Solid Waste & Recycling |
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Works for All NOVA Jurisdictions)
- Provide an onsite recycling system with adequate capacity and resident access.
- Place clearly labeled containers with accepted materials and contamination “no” lists.
- Include recycling in move-in packets and conduct periodic education (at least annually where required).
- Right-size service and monitor monthly for overflow/contamination; adjust pickups.
- Keep records (photos, signage, service logs). File plans/reports when jurisdiction requires.
Alexandria — FAQs
Is recycling mandatory for apartments in Alexandria?
Yes. The city’s recycling article requires each multiple-family dwelling to provide a recycling collection system.
What’s the applicability threshold?
Applies to multiple-family dwellings (no explicit numeric unit count in the code text).
What materials are covered?
Mixed paper and commingled containers at minimum; confirm current accepted lists with your hauler.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Alexandria Property
Arlington County — FAQs
Are multifamily properties required to recycle?
Yes. The county’s recycling article requires each multifamily dwelling to provide a resident recycling system.
Is there a unit threshold?
No numeric threshold; applies to each multifamily dwelling.
Any education or signage rules?
Yes—owner/manager responsibilities include informing residents and providing labeled containers.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Arlington County Property
Fairfax County — FAQs
Do all apartments/condos need recycling?
Yes. All multifamily owners/managers must provide a recycling system.
What’s the threshold?
Applies to all multifamily properties (no numeric unit threshold).
Any design standards?
Capacity and enclosure design are addressed in the County’s Public Facilities Manual; right-sizing is expected.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Fairfax County Property
Fairfax City — FAQs
Does the city collect recycling at apartments?
No. Multifamily is generally on private service—properties must arrange recycling with a hauler.
What should MF properties do?
Contract a hauler for recycling; provide containers, access, and resident education onsite.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Fairfax City Property
Falls Church — FAQs
Is recycling required for multifamily?
Yes. The City requires business & multifamily recycling; details may include education/reporting.
Any unit minimum?
No numeric threshold; applies to multifamily properties.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Falls Church Property
Loudoun County — FAQs
Who’s responsible—property or hauler?
Both. Collectors must provide MF recycling services; MF properties must provide access and suitable containers for residents.
Is there a threshold?
No numeric unit threshold; applies to multifamily dwellings countywide (outside incorporated towns).
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Loudoun County Property
Prince William County (incl. Triangle) — FAQs
Is recycling mandatory for apartments?
Yes. Recycling is mandatory countywide, including unincorporated areas like Triangle.
Any unit threshold?
No numeric unit threshold; applies countywide to MF properties.
What’s required onsite?
Provide resident access to recycling with labeled containers; educate residents and monitor contamination.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Prince William County (Triangle) Property
Manassas — FAQs
Does the City pick up MF recycling?
No. Most multifamily properties use private haulers; city curbside programs generally exclude MF.
What should properties implement?
Contract recycling service, provide containers and signage, and educate residents at move-in and periodically.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Manassas Property
Manassas Park — FAQs
Are there MF recycling requirements?
Yes. The City sets solid-waste standards; MF properties typically arrange private recycling service and must comply with onsite rules.
Any numeric threshold?
No; applies to multifamily properties as covered under the city’s solid-waste framework.
Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Manassas Park Property
References: Alexandria Code Title 5 Ch.1 Art. H; Arlington County Code Ch.10 Art. IV; Fairfax County Code §109.1-2-2 & Multifamily Toolkit; Fairfax City Solid Waste; Falls Church Business & MF Recycling; Loudoun County Ch.1084/1086; Prince William County Recycling; Manassas and Manassas Park Solid Waste pages.
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