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Single-Stream Recycling Information
Recycle Right Pilot Program
Recycling in Roanoke
What is single-stream recycling?
Since 2015, the City of Roanoke has offered curbside single-stream recycling, which means all recyclable materials can be placed in the same bin.
Recycling Collection Schedule:
Recycling is collected every other week on your regular collection day. Depending on where you live, your residence will be on an A Week schedule or a B Week schedule.
Please don't mix Recycling and Trash!
Recycling contamination happens when an item that isn't recyclable winds up in the recycling bin instead of the trash. Every time this happens, the City incurs added expense to haul that item to the landfill.
Important note on plastics:
ONLY plastics #1 and #2 are accepted in curbside recycling.
Since 2018, the City's contracted recycling vendor, RDS, is no longer accepting Plastics #3 - #7, but is still collecting Plastics #1 and #2, which are usually plastic bottles and jugs. If you're not sure about a plastic item, check the bottom of the package for a recycling imprint to see what number it is. If it is a #1 or #2, it's recyclable. If it's any other number, or it's plastic but there is no imprint, please do not recycle it.
Please always recycle these items:
- Aluminum beverage cans, steel and tin cans
- Glass bottles, containers, and jars
- Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
- Cardboard boxes
- Pizza box lids (with no food scraps or grease)
- Plastic water bottles
- Milk jugs
- Plastic shampoo/soap bottles
- Laundry detergent and cleaning supply containers
These are NOT allowed in curbside recycling:
- Plastic grocery bags: return them to grocery store instead
- Ziploc bags
- Plastic wrap
- Plastic pipes and PVC
- Tupperware
- Drinking straws
- Diapers
- Plastic toys and furniture
- Empty medicine bottles
- Aluminum foil
- Styrofoam
- Wood pieces
- Clothing and fabric
- Food waste
- Rope, wire, and hoses
- CDs, DVDs, Discs
- Vending cups
- Fiberglass
Where can I take things like batteries, metal, and electronics?
You can bring used batteries and other household items to Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) during their Household Hazardous Waste events. These free monthly collection events take place the third Saturday of each month, beginning at 12 noon for the residents of the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, Roanoke County and Town of Vinton. Preregistration is required to bring items to these events, and you must register no later than 24 hours prior to the event. Cut off is at noon the Friday prior to the event. You can see more information and register online at https://rvra.net/110/Monthly-Collection-Events or call 540-857-5050.
You can bring any metal you need to recycle to Gerdau Metal Recycling, located at 2580 Broadway Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24014. Depending on the type and quantity of metal, you may even be able to receive money for your items. Visit their website to learn more: Metal Recycling Made Easy - Gerdau
You can bring electronics and other household appliances to stores such as Best Buy and Staples, or if they are in working condition you can donate them to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. It is recommended to give them a call beforehand to make sure they accept the items you hope to recycle or donate, as things may differ from location to location.
You can bring plastics #3-#7 to one of Sustainable Roanoke’s recycling events, which you can find more information here: https://www.sustainableroanoke.org/