We accept a variety of materials in a variety of ways!
What can I bring to be recycled? Which facilities take special items? Learn more by using the expandable sections below!
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Trash
Bulk waste and household trash are collected at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, Transfer Station, located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA. Vehicles entering the facility must first cross the scales. Friendly staff on-site will direct customers to the designated area after weighing in.
Common non-hazardous, non-toxic refuse and construction debris, including demolition and household trash. This category includes furniture, mattresses, and appliances.
Albemarle County
Residents
| Under 200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $7.00 ($6.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $60.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $1.00 service fee* |
City of Charlottesville
Residents
| Under 200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $16.00 ($6.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $60.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $10.00 service fee* |
Additional Fees
Appliances containing Freon will incur an additional fee of $17.00 per unit. The fee applies to refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, humidifiers, condenser units, and any other equipment containing Freon. This charge is to offset the cost of properly recycling the regulated material from the appliance.
*The service fee is only applied once if bringing multiple types of bulk waste.
Branches, tree limbs, stumps, leaves, brush, and other vegetative material.
Albemarle County
Residents
| Under 200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $7.00 ($6.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $54.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $1.00 service fee* |
City of Charlottesville
Residents
| Under 200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $16.00 ($6.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $54.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $10.00 service fee* |
*The service fee is only applied once if bringing multiple types of bulk waste.
Non-contaminated dirt, concrete, and asphalt. Cannot contain trash, rebar, toxic substances, wood, leaves, or other organic material.
Albemarle County
Residents
| Under 1,200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $7.00 ($6.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 1,200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $10.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $1.00 service fee* |
City of Charlottesville
Residents
| Under 1,200 lbs (Flat Rate) | $16.00 ($6.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
|---|---|
| 1,200 lbs or more (Prorated) | $10.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $10.00 service fee* |
RSWA offers a special program for customers who have over 10,000 tons of clean fill. This reduces the cost to $3.50 per ton. Restrictions apply and advance approval is needed. Please call 434-977-2970 for more information.
*The service fee is only applied once if bringing multiple types of bulk waste.
Albemarle County Residents
Individual Disposal
| Classification | Price per tire |
|---|---|
| Passenger Tire (no rim) | $7.00 ($6.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
| Commercial Tire (no rim) | $18.00 ($17.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
| Passenger Tire (with rim) | $14.00 ($13.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
| Commercial Tire (with rim) | $34.00 ($33.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) |
Bulk Disposal
| Classification | Under 200 lbs (flat rate) | 200 lbs or more (prorated) |
|---|---|---|
| Tires with or without rims | $20.00 ($19.00 plus a $1.00 service fee*) | $190.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $1.00 service fee.* |
City of Charlottesville Residents
Individual Disposal
| Classification | Price per tire |
|---|---|
| Passenger Tire (no rim) | $16.00 ($6.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
| Commercial Tire (no rim) | $27.00 ($17.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
| Passenger Tire (with rim) | $23.00 ($13.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
| Commercial Tire (with rim) | $43.00 ($33.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) |
Bulk Disposal
| Classification | Under 200 lbs (flat rate) | 200 lbs or more (prorated) |
|---|---|---|
| Tires with or without rims | $29.00 ($19.00 plus a $10.00 service fee*) | $190.00 per ton (prorated) plus a $10.00 service fee.* |
*The service fee is only applied once if bringing multiple tires and/or multiple types of bulk waste.
Tag-A-Bag
For $2 a bag, RWSA accepts trash bags up to 32 gallons in size at the Ivy Convenience Center (4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA) and at the Southern Albemarle Convenience Center (6269 Esmont Road, Keene, Va). Trash bags must be affixed with a pre-purchased sticker. Stickers can be bought at the Ivy Scale House, Green Mountain Country Store (5977 Scottsville Road, Scottsville, VA), Brown’s Market (2724 Irish Road, Esmont, VA), at the scale house at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, or by mail order. For more details, click here.
Recyclables
The following items are accepted for free at all three of RSWA’s facilities: Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center (4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA), McIntire Recycling Center (611 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA), and Southern Albemarle Convenience Center (6269 Esmont Rd, Keene, VA).
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- #2 & #4 Plastic Films
- Plastic Grocery Bags
- Ziploc-type Storage Bags
- Produce Bags
- Dry Cleaning Bags
- Bread Bags
Not Accepted
- Compost Bags
- Woven Bags
- Cloth Bags
- Frozen Food Bags
- Pre-washed Salad Bags
- Cling Film
- Metal Foils
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- Soda Cans (can be flattened or whole)
- Beer Cans (can be flattened or whole)
Not Accepted
- Aluminum Foil
- Aluminum Trays
- Aluminum Pet Food Cans
- Aerosol Cans
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- Newspapers
- Comic Section / Funny Pages
Not Accepted
- Glossy Inserts or Magazines
- Junk Mail
- Bags or String
- Cardboard
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- Aluminum Plates, Trays, & Foil
- Pet Food Cans
- Tin Cans
- Steel Containers
- Empty Aerosol Cans
- Metal Coat Hangers
Not Accepted
- Liquids
- Batteries
- Hazardous Material
- Toxic Material
- Appliances
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- Office Paper (white)
- Staples & Paper Clips
- White Paper Envelopes (clear windows are okay)
- Shredded Office Paper
- Engineering Plans (can be shredded)
Not Accepted
- Colored Paper
- Junk Mail
- Magazines
- Manila Envelopes
- Plastic, Cardboard, Spiral or Metal Binders
- Plastic Dividers
- Binder Clips
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry. Remove all lids, caps, or corks.
Accepted
- Glass Bottles (clear or colored)
- Glass Jars (clear or colored)
Not Accepted
- Ceramics or Porcelain
- Caps, Lids or Corks
- Mirrored Glass
- Laminates
- Plate (window) Glass
- Lightbulbs
- Drinkware, Glassware, Serving Dishes, Cookware
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry. Remove all lids, caps, or corks.
Accepted
- #1 Plastic Containers
- Water / Soda Bottles (Clear or Colored)
* Caps and labels can remain - Deli / Food Packaging (Clear part only)
Not Accepted
- #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 Plastics
- Food Residue, Grease, or Liquids
- Metal Foils
- Opaque Food Trays (only accept the clear portion)
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry. Remove all lids, caps, or corks.
Accepted
- #2 Plastic Containers
- Plastic Milk Jugs
- Detergent Bottles (Clear or Colored)
* Caps and labels can remain
Not Accepted
- #1, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 Plastics
- Food Residue, Grease, or Liquids
- Children’s Toys
- Storage Bins
- Coat Hangers
Additional Notes
The screens at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that process plastics sees “flat” plastics (e.g., plastic political yard signs, very shallow trays, sheets of plastic) as flat fiber – paper. The screens then divert the flat plastic material into the fiber where they become contaminants. For plastics to be processed correctly, #1 and #2 plastics need to have a three-dimensional shape.
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry.
Accepted
- Food Boxes
- Craft Paper
- Magazines
- Junk Mail
- Colored Paper
- Books (Telephone, soft and hard bound)
Not Accepted
- Frozen Food Boxes (Treated w/ waterproof coating)
- Metal Foils
- Waxed Coatings
- Plastic Spouts
- Milk Cartons
- Tetrapaks (Asceptic Containers)
- Greasy or Wet Paper
Please make sure all materials are clean and dry. No need to flatten boxes.
Accepted
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Pizza Boxes (with all plastics removed)
Not Accepted
- Single Layer Packaging
- Waxed Cardboard
- Metal Foils
- Grease
Recycling FAQs
For more information on what can and can’t be recycled, visit our Recycling FAQs page.
Special Acceptances Per Facility
In addition to the items listed above, each facility accepts special items.
McIntire Recycling Center
- Compostable Food Waste
- Oyster Shells
- Pizza Boxes
- Used Cooking Oil
Ivy Convenience Center at ISWRC
- Compostable Food Waste
- Latex Paint (in original container)
- Oil-Based Paint (in original container)
- Motor Oil
- Antifreeze
- Tag-A-Bag Refuse (additional fee required)
Southern Albemarle Convenience Center
- Tag-A-Bag Refuse (additional fee required)
Special Collections
Our special collections events are free and available to the residents of Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville. These events are held annually in the fall and spring.
Our next collection will take place on April 11, 2026. Please note that advanced registration is required. Registration will open approximately 30 days before the event. To receive a notice when registration opens, please consider signing up for our email alerts by completing the form near the top of this page.
Residents of Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, and Town of Scottsville are invited to dispose of their old, broken, or unwanted electronic devices. The free bi-annual event welcomes cell phones, tablets, computers, Plasma/LCD/LED screens, DVD players, VCRs, camcorders, stereos, printers, scanners, corded and cordless telephones, gaming systems, fax machines, adding machines, calculators, and digital cameras.
The collection will take place at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Space is limited to the first 488 households.
- Each registered household can dispose up to 10 items.
- A maximum of 2 CRT displays are allowed per household (cathode ray tube-style televisions or computer monitors). CRTs count towards the 10-item limit.
- Only open to Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, and Town of Scottsville residents.
- Commercial participation is prohibited.
When signing up, you will be asked to select from the following arrival timeslots:
- 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
- 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
- 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
- 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
- 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
- 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
- 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Please note that arrival timeslots will disappear from the selection as they fill up.
Once registered, please bring your confirmation ticket (a digital copy on your phone is acceptable) and the electronic devices you wish to dispose of.
The next special commercial hazardous waste collection day at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center will be held on:
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Qualifying businesses* must register with MXI Environmental a minimum of 30 days in advance of the scheduled collection event. To register, please send an email to CESQG@mxiinc.com. Please note that a disposal fee is applicable.
*This event is only open to qualifying Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville Businesses and commercial establishments. Qualifications are defined by federal law to include businesses that (1) generate no more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous waste in a month, (2) generate no more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste in a month, and (3) store not more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste.
Our next collection will take place on April 17 & 18, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
HHW collections are free for residents of Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville. Nelson County residents may qualify if they obtain a voucher from the Nelson County government. Sorry, commercial participation is prohibited.
Each year the RSWA holds a large-scale, household hazardous waste collection day. On this day, RSWA accepts additional hazardous substances and ensures that they are properly categorized and directed to a permitted off-site hazardous substance management location. The materials accepted on this day include:
- Acids
- Adhesives
- Antifreeze
- Batteries
- CFLs
- Floor and furniture polish
- Fluorescent tubes
- Gasoline
- Household cleaners
- Kerosene
- Motor oil
- Paint and paint-related products and solvents
- Pesticides
We do not accept at any time:
- Radioactive waste
- Please contact the manufacturer of your smoke detector to receive directives on proper disposal.
- Medical waste
- The Albemarle County Police Department, Sentara, Wegmans, and DEA offer Drug Takeback days. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital also offers medical sharp collection events.
- Explosives
- Ammunition
Our next special collection will occur on April 25, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Open to Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, and Town of Scottsville residents. The free bi-annual event accepts recliners, sofas, loveseats, tables, chairs, bedframes, dressers, entertainment centers, mattresses, nightstands, coffee tables, and more! The collection will take place at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Commercial participation is prohibited. Please bring help to unload. Staff are unable to assist during this event.
Can’t make the event? You can dispose of these items at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center during normal operating hours for a fee. Items will qualify as domestic waste.
Our next special collection will occur on May 2, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Open to Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, and Town of Scottsville residents. The free bi-annual event accepts refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, kitchen stoves, furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, and toasters. The collection will take place at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Commercial participation is prohibited. Please bring help to unload. Staff are unable to assist during this event.
Can’t make the event? The Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center accepts these items during regular operating hours, although a disposal fee applies. Items will qualify as domestic waste.
Our next special collection will occur on May 9, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Open to Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, and Town of Scottsville residents. The free bi-annual event welcomes consumer-bought tires originally installed on passenger cars, pickup trucks, minivans, motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, lawn mowers, go-karts, hand carts, and garden hose reels! Participating households may bring up to twelve tires. Tires do not have to be removed from their rims. Unfortunately, commercial truck tires will not be accepted. The collection will take place at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. Commercial participation is prohibited. Please bring help to unload. Staff are unable to assist during this event.
Can’t make the event? The Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center accepts these items during regular operating hours, although a disposal fee applies.
Composting
Compostable food waste is accepted in compostable bags. Complimentary bags are offered to users of this program at center composting kiosks.
Collect
- Find a small pail or countertop container
- Place it under your kitchen sink or near your kitchen trash can
- Line your container with a compostable bag provided for free at McIntire or Ivy SWRC
- Collect your compostable items in container
Store
- Store your bags of compostable items in an accessible location.
- If it becomes smelly, place in the freezer or tie it off and use a second compostable bag
Bring
- Bring your compost in compostable bags to one of our Facilities.
Question or concerns?
Learn more using the brochures below or email info@rivanna.org.
What items are appropriate for composting?
- Fruits & vegetables
- Nuts, grains & rice
- Egg shells
- Flowers
- Coffee grounds & filters
- Proteins — meat & bones
- Fats, cooking oils & greases (incidental)
- Milk & yogurt
- Uncoated paper (napkins / towels)
- Certified Compostable Packaging
The following items are NOT compostable and should not be included:
- Trash
- Diapers
- Clothing
- Fats, cooking oils & greases (larger amounts, free-flowing, ex: cooking oil from a fryer)
- Styrofoam
- Pet waste
- Cigarette butts
- Snack bags
- Candy wrappers
- Plastic bags of any kind
- Yard waste
If you have a question on a particularly confusing item that you are not sure is compostable, please leave it out.
Have questions about composting? Learn more on our FAQ page!
