We invite you to become a part of Harrisonburg's Recycling Program. By following these guidelines you will help maintain product purity demanded by the recycling markets. Only through the cooperation of each person using a city supplied recycling bin (or your own bin) can these standards be met. Thank you for your efforts in helping to make the recycling program a success.
Please call us at Public Works to request a recycling bin: (540) 434-5928.
Notice: James Madison University offers a recycling program for students living on campus, please call JMU Facilities Management for more information.
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How to Prepare Materials for Collection
(Must have bin out by 7:00 A.M.)
Printable version of
Recycling Guide 
[579 KB ]
Recycling Supplement for Businesses 
[135 KB ]
PLASTIC:
Ketchup Bottles
Drink Bottles
Or any container with a recycling symbol with a 1 or 2 inside
Procedure: Remove all caps, lids and labels then place in recycling bin.
GLASS:
Beer Bottles
Juice Containers
Food Containers
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Procedure: Remove lids and caps, and rinse the bottle before placing it in the recycling bin.
ALUMINUM:
Beverage Cans
Aluminum Foil
Baking Containers
Procedure: Rinse, flatten and drop in the bin.
STEEL/TIN:
Food Cans
Procedure: Remove labels, lids and rinse before putting the can in the recycling bin.
Note: Aerosol cans are also acceptable.
HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES:
All types including button size.
Procedure: Place in clear plastic bag and put batteries in the recycling bin.
NEWSPAPER:
Procedure: Store the newspaper in a separate recycling bin such as a cardboard box. Please remember to keep newspaper dry. Please do not tie newspaper together or place in any kind of bag (paper or plastic).
MISCELLANEOUS PAPER:
Magazines
Catalogs
Telephone Books
Procedure: Same as newspaper. Please remember to keep the paper dry.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Metal Cookware (Pots, Pans and Kettles)
Metal Flatware( Knives, Forks, and Spoons)
Procedure: Make sure these materials are clean before dropping them into the bin.
USED MOTOR OIL:
Procedure: Place oil in leak-proof, labeled, non-breakable container with a screw on lid. Place next to the recycling bin. Residential Only.
AUTOMOBILE BATTERIES:
Procedure: Place battery next to the recycling bin.
Unacceptable Materials Include:
• Any unmarked plastic
• Styrofoam and any plastic marked #3, #4, #5, #6, or #7
• Plastic Bags
• Cardboard (waxed, corrugated boxes, pizza boxes, etc.)
BULK COLLECTION:
Items:
Large items
Furniture
Washer
Couch
Procedure: These types of materials are collected on “bulk days” which occur once a month. Click here for schedule.
Latex Paint - completely dry out the paint and place out for bulk collection.
Oil Based Paint - hold until for Hazardous Household Waste collection.
BRUSH AND LEAVES:
The City provides curbside pickup of leaves and brush. For more information, visit the Yard Debris & Bulk Collection page.
FLUORESCENT LIGHTS:
Residents are asked to help keep mercury containing fluorescent light
tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs out of our waste streams and landfills by bringing them to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days for recycling. Business are required by Virginia law to recycle fluorescent lights or to treat them as hazardous wastes. Businesses should visit the Virginia DEQ website for more information.
The City collects some additional items (like fluorescent lights, lubricants, pesticides lead-acid batteries, etc) at the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.
BUSINESSES
CARDBOARD:
Procedure: Please call Public Works to schedule frequent pick up. Please break down and stack cardboard and set out with other recyclables. Do not place card-board in recycling bin.
OFFICE PAPER:
White office paper
Colored office paper
Post-it notes
Envelopes (plastic windows accepted)
Large mailing envelopes
NO construction paper
Procedure: Store office paper in a separate recycling bin from other materials.
Please call Public Works to schedule frequent pick up and with instructions for unusual materials.
Note: Paper with staples is allowed in the recycling however, we do ask that you remove your paper clips.
Don't see what you want to recycle here?
The City collects some additional items (like fluorescent lights, lubricants, pesticides lead-acid batteries, etc) at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days.
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*If you move to another location within Harrisonburg, please take your recycling bin with you and call us with your new address. If you move outside of Harrisonburg, please call us for instructions on how to return your bin.
