Single-Stream Recycling Information

Roanoke Info Card FINAL_RESIZED

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. 

Recycle Right Pilot Program

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. 

Reycling Numbers on Containers
  1. What can be recycled?
  2. What cannot be recycled?
  3. Where can I take items that cannot be recycled?

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