Prince William County has adopted key changes in curbside yard waste collection, as well as new rules for collecting recyclables at apartment buildings
As part of the change, the county’s yard waste program will be seasonal, running from March through December, but will not take effect until October 2021 to allow waste haulers time to equip and staff appropriately.
Residents, businesses, apartments, landscapers, etc. will be required to arrange for a separate collection of yard waste, leaves, and brush. Once the program starts, residents may place yard waste in biodegradable paper yard waste bags, or a personal container labeled for “yard waste.”
The collected yard waste will be converted into a soil amendment product at the recently expanded Balls Ford Road Compost Facility versus landfilled. In addition to yard waste collection, residents will also have access to Christmas Tree recycling during the first two weeks of January each year.
Some of the benefits of a separate yard waste collection are:
- Diverts yard waste from the County landfill which expands the landfill life by 10-15 years
- Increase County’s recycling rate
- Improves the quality of compost product
- More dependable collection of yard waste material
- The new curbside collection requirements will be:
- Once a week refuse
- Once a week recycling
- Once a week yard waste (March-December)
- Once a week Christmas Tree pick up (First two weeks of January)
- (Note: These are minimum standards. Trash and recycling collection companies may choose to provide additional collection.)
In 2021 the actual collection period will be October 2021-December 2021 and Christmas Tree collection the first two weeks of January 2022. Yard waste collection will then resume in March 2022 for the full seasonal schedule.
There is also an important change for recycling by apartment tenants.
Apartment management must provide sufficient single-stream recycling collection bins for tenants. This will make apartment tenants’ recycling opportunities consistent with other residential households in the County.
Property managers are now required to provide tenants and employees with information about how to participate in the recycling program.
Commercial and non-residential properties are also impacted by the recent code changes. While no changes were made to the existing requirement that all businesses and non-residential properties recycle the one material generated in the greatest quantities on an annual basis, business and non-residential properties will have to adhere to the new requirements to separate and compost yard waste. In addition, the annual due date for annual recycling reports has been moved to October 15 instead of February 15.
There are several other changes that will mainly affect businesses, but all the code changes were a result of County staff and representatives of the affected stakeholder groups meeting, discussing, and deliberating the issues and the necessary changes over many months.
With these changes, the county realizes a goal from the 2004 Solid Waste Management Plan.
The new refuse code and a synopsis of the changes will be available on the Solid Waste webpage.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved changes to Chapter 22 (Refuse) of the county code on December 15, 2020.
Recent Stories
Dumfries Town Council heard from a group of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and development experts during its July 1, 2025, meeting — each vying for a seat on the town’s newly created Economic Development Authority (EDA).
The Dumfries Town Council reversed course and voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) that will allow a local business to host cultural, entertainment, and community events on its property along Washington Street.
A heat advisory is in effect across the region today, with heat index values expected to climb as high as 107 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Drivers in the Fredericksburg region should prepare for overnight lane closures this week as road crews carry out maintenance and construction along major corridors in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and the City of Fredericksburg.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
