Recycling Collection Services
Residential
Recycling Collection Services
Residential Recycling
Bates Trucking Trash Removal, Inc. offers a system that doesn’t require recyclables to be separated. Single stream recycling means that paper products and all other recycled materials are commingled and picked up together in all recycling collections. Bates Trucking’s single stream recycling program makes it easier and more convenient for the public to recycle. Counties and cities that are using Bates Trucking single stream recycling program have experienced increases in the recycling participation and rates. This is a general list please also refer to your County regulations.
Acceptable Curbside Residential Single Stream Recycling Items
- Junk Mail
- Magazines
- Catalogs
- Newspapers
- Phone Books
- Cereal and Cracker Boxes
- Flattened Cardboard
- Plastics Aluminum/Steel Cans
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Glass
Click on this link (Single Stream Recycling) for a list of items that you can recycle right at your curbside.
Common Recycling Rules Across All Counties
These general guidelines apply to most curbside recycling programs:
- Do Not Bag Recyclables: Never put recyclables in plastic garbage bags; place items loosely in your curbside bin.
- Clean and Empty: All containers, bottles, and cans must be empty, rinsed, and clean.
- Keep it Dry: Paper and cardboard products should be kept dry. Wet or soiled paper reduces the recyclability of other items.
- Flatten Cardboard: Always break down and flatten corrugated cardboard boxes.
- Universal "No" List: Do not place plastic shopping bags, hoses, wires, cables, medical waste (needles/syringes), batteries, clothing, diapers, scrap metal, or Styrofoam/foam cups in curbside recycling bins.
- When in Doubt, Throw it Out / Leave it Out: If you are unsure whether an item is recyclable, it is better to put it in the trash than to contaminate the recycling bin.
Individual County-Wise Recycling Rules
Anne Arundel County
What is Accepted:
- Plastic bottles and containers.
- Metal food and beverage cans.
- Paper, magazines, and newspaper.
- Flattened cardboard and paperboard cartons.
- Glass bottles and jars.
Specific Rules & Non-Accepted Items:
- Do not include soiled paper, yard waste, food or liquids, furniture, carpet, tarps, or electronics in the cart.
Fairfax County
What is Accepted:
- Plastic bottles and jugs (keep lids on).
- Metal food and beverage cans.
- Milk cartons.
- Mixed paper and cardboard.
Specific Rules & Non-Accepted Items:
- Glass Exception: Glass is NO LONGER accepted in curbside recycling bins because it breaks and damages sorting machinery. Bring glass bottles and jars to purple, glass-only recycling containers, or throw them in the trash.
- Plastic food bags, wrappers, shredded paper, mixed packaging, and plastic takeout containers are strictly prohibited.
- You may leave lids and labels on accepted containers.
Loudoun County
What is Accepted:
- Bottles, cans, jugs, and jars.
- Paper and cardboard.
Specific Rules & Non-Accepted Items:
- Do not use cardboard boxes to hold other recyclables.
- Keep your recycling bin covered.
- Glass Rules: While curbside providers are still required to collect glass, Loudoun County has established a separate collection program for glass bottles and jars at public drop-off centers using purple recycling bins.
Prince George's County
What is Accepted:
- Milk and gable-top beverage containers.
- Aluminum, aluminum foil, bimetal, and steel food/beverage containers.
- Flattened corrugated cardboard, frozen food packaging, and paperboard containers.
- Empty aerosol cans.
- Telephone books, catalogs, books, newspapers, magazines, brown kraft paper, and wrapping paper.
- Plastic narrow-necked containers (coded 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7), wide-mouth containers, cups, flower pots, and empty prescription bottles.
- Glass food and beverage containers.
Specific Rules & Non-Accepted Items:
- Absolutely all accepted containers must be thoroughly cleaned and emptied before recycling.
Prince William County
What is Accepted:
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars.
- Aluminum and steel cans.
- Mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, office paper) and paperboard boxes (cereal, tissue, etc.).
- Cardboard (must be flattened).
Specific Rules & Non-Accepted Items:
- Glass Exception: Glass containers should NOT be placed in curbside recycling. They must be placed in the trash or taken to special “purple” bins located at the Landfill and Balls Ford Road Compost Facility.
- Diapers, Styrofoam, hoses, and wires are strictly trash-only. Special collection is required for motor oil, scrap metal, household batteries, paint, and electronics.
E-Waste Collection
Help protect the environment by safely recycling your unwanted electronics with Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, Inc. Our e-waste collection services make it easy to dispose of items like computers, televisions, and other electronic devices responsibly.
To learn more or schedule a service, please visit our Request Service page to connect with our customer support team, or call us at 800-840-6454.
