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Don't Guess. Just Ask!

Knowing how and where to dispose of an item can be confusing. Can it be recycled? Does it belong in the trash? Does it need a special drop-off? The good news? Finding the answer is easy. Use the Waste Wizard to get local recycling and disposal guidance based on what the item is and where you live.

Use The Waste Wizard

Why Recycling Can Be Confusing

Recycling isn’t the same in every locality:

  • Some Hampton Roads communities recyclable materials separately from trash at the curb.
  • Others ask residents to take recyclables to a convenience center or drop-off location.
  • Some communities use a one-bin collection system that sorts recyclables from trash at technology-driven facilities.
  • And some communities offer both curbside and convenience center options for recycling.

The best way to recycle right is to know how it works where you live.

Many Ways to Recycle in Hampton Roads

Scenario #1: I Have Separate Trash and Recycling Containers

Great! Place accepted recyclables in your recycling container and trash in your regular garbage container.

Before recycling, make sure items are:

  • Empty
  • Clean
  • Dry
  • Loose, not bagged

Learn More About Curbside Recycling

Avoid Wishcycling

Good intentions do not always equal good recycling. Putting the wrong items in the recycling stream can contaminate materials, damage equipment and make recycling more difficult and expensive.

Common Items to Check:

Hampton Roads recycles approximately
0 tons
of materials yearly.

Reduce Before You Recycle

The best way to reduce waste is to create less of it in the first place. Before deciding where something belongs, consider whether it can be reused, repaired, donated or avoided altogether. Small changes add up to a cleaner Hampton Roads.

Try These Easy Waste-Reduction Tips:

  • Carry a reusable water bottle
  • Bring reusable shopping bags
  • Pack waste-free lunches by using reusable containers
  • Buy in bulk and avoid individually packaged foods
  • Skip single use plastics like straws and utensils
  • Invest in durable products instead of cheap disposable ones
  • Donate gently used clothing and household items
  • Repair items before replacing them
  • Compost food scraps and yard waste when possible

Why It Matters

Recycling in Hampton Roads can be confusing but reducing waste and recycling right conserves natural resources, saves energy, and supports local businesses and jobs. It may seem like a small action but when thousands of households across Hampton Roads work together to reduce waste and recycle, our impact is significant.

The average American generates nearly 5 pounds of trash every day. With nearly 1.8 million people in Hampton Roads, that’s nearly 9 million pounds per day! Every little bit we reduce and recycle keeps waste out of our landfills.

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