A Resident’s Guide to Recycling in the Glen
(Thanks to Fairlington Meadows Condominium Association for the use of their recycling guidelines.)

 

WHAT items can I recycle?

Glass (brown, green and clear), aluminum and metal cans, plastic bottles with necks, newspapers and other specific paper items.  All items must be free of food contamination.  See below for information on specific items that are acceptable and unacceptable for recycling.

 

WHERE do I place my recyclable items?

In the bins that are placed near the entrance to each courtyard.  The bins are for plastic, glass, and metal items only, and items may be commingled.  Paper items must be placed in paper bags or tied with string and placed on the ground next to the bins, not in the bins.

 

WHEN can I place items out for recycling?

The bins are placed at court entrances on Tuesday and are collected by our trash hauler on Wednesday morning.  Paper items are picked up later in the day.  Do not place recyclables out if the bins are not present.

 

 

Items That Are Recyclable

 

·       Glass

Clear, brown or green glass bottles and jars, rinsed clean, with lids and caps removed and discarded.  Please use caution when placing items in the bins, to avoid breaking glass and causing a hazard for yourself and others.

 

·       Aluminum/Metal

All types of metal food and beverage cans, including pet food cans.  

Rinse clean and crush flat, if possible, to reduce volume in the bins.

 

Plastic bottles and jugs with necks, labeled 1 or 2 inside the recycling symbol (e.g., milk and laundry detergent jugs, soda bottles and water bottles).  Rinse clean and crush to the extent possible.  Plastic grocery bags can be reused then recycled at most grocery stores.

 

Clean newspapers, inserts, catalogs, junk mail, magazines, paper bags, computer paper, telephone books, and paperboard boxes (e.g., cereal, cracker and tissue) flattened and not contaminated by food.  Plastic wrappings and wax paper inserts should be discarded.  All paper items must be contained securely in paper bags or tied with string, so they do not blow away.  Moving and other large boxes must be flattened.

 

 

Items That Cannot Be Recycled

 

This includes ceramics, dishes, crystal and drinking glasses, mirror or window glass, and light bulbs.

 

This includes plastic grocery bags; styrofoam and plastic deli, salad, fruit and vegetable containers; meat trays; yogurt containers; plastic or styrofoam frozen food trays; prescription bottles; margarine tubs and all types of packaging materials such as peanuts and bubble wrap.  Clean peanuts and bubble wrap may be taken to the UPS store in Shirlington for reuse by them.  Items coded with numbers 3 through 7 are not recyclable at this time.

 

·       Metal items other than food and pet food cans

This includes jar lids, foil items and other metal items of any sort.

 

This includes paper cups and plates, pizza boxes and any other paper products contaminated by food.

 

If you find yourself wondering about an item not listed, it’s a good idea to follow this rule:  “When in doubt, throw it out!”

 

Household hazardous materials are hazardous chemicals that should not be thrown out with your regular trash or recycled because they might spill or leak and contaminate the environment.  These include such items as home, lawn and garden chemicals, paints, items containing mercury, flammable cleaning solvents, small propane tanks, corrosives, etc.  These materials may be taken to Arlington County’s HHM drop-off facility located at the Water Pollution Control Plant, 3402 S. Glebe Road, (703) 228-6832.  The HHM entrance is at 3155 S. Fern Street.  Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; you may also schedule weekday drop-offs.  For a complete listing of what is and is not accepted at the HHM drop-off facility, and for other general recycling information, please refer to Arlington County’s website:  Arlington County's Recycling Programs.

 

Reduce, Reuse, Then Recycle

 

Recycling is not only a great way for individuals to contribute to the Earth’s preservation, but it has economic benefits by employing 1.1 million people and generating $236 billion in annual revenues.  Many other items also may be recycled, such as computers, cell phones, pagers, PDAs, toner cartridges, and bicycles.  Again, please refer to the County’s website for further information on where to take these items for proper disposal.

 

And don’t forget the other two “R”s – Reduce and Reuse!