Henrico - Recycle Check

Recycling got you confused? Try a bird’s-eye view.

Whether you’re a recycling expert, or someone who wants to do better, we all need a little help sometimes. I’m your go-to guide to help answer any of your recycling questions. But you can just call me, Bertie.

Speaking of, our first stop? A quick Henrico County recycling cheat sheet.

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Want even more expertise? Check out these commonly asked recycling questions.

A: In Henrico County, make sure your cart is at the curb by 7 a.m. on red or blue weeks and check out the holiday schedule for any festive changes. To find your exact day, use the CVWMA web tool.

A: You can skip the suds and save your dishwasher drain from the cat food cans. A simple rinse or wipe will do just fine.

A: Batteries aren’t accepted in curbside recycling or drop-off containers because they can cause fires in collection trucks and recycling facilities. Yikes! Instead, Henrico residents may dispose of household rechargeable batteries and car batteries at both county public-use areas and electronics during an electronics recycling event on the first Saturday of each month at 8419 Glazebrook Ave., Henrico.

A: Unfortunately, Styrofoam and other foam materials aren’t accepted in your curbside recycling or at drop-off locations. Foam food containers such as to-go boxes, cups, and packing peanuts are not widely recyclable and should be put in the trash instead.

A: Actually, only metal cans (think soda or soup cans) are often accepted for recycling. That means your aluminum foil, metal pots and pans, and decorative tins should be left out of your cart.

A: I get it. Plastic recycling feels confusing and it isn’t as simple as 1, 2, 3…There are seven different numbers. Even if a piece of plastic has the recycling symbol on it, it may not be accepted in your cart. Recycle your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room bottles and containers.

Certain plastic materials like plastic bags can get caught in recycling machines. Leave these out of your recycling and find a nearby drop-off location for them.

A: If you carry your recyclables to the curb in a plastic bag, make sure to empty your recyclables out of it rather than putting the bag in the recycling as well. Leave these plastic bags out of your recycling bin and take them to a store drop-off location.

A: Tires, used motor oil, oil-based paints, and other household hazardous waste items can be disposed of at both county public-use areas. Used motor oil, old gasoline, antifreeze, and oil-based paints and solvents can be dropped off for free and up to four tires per person are allowed with a fee.

A: Henrico residents may dispose of old mattresses at the county’s public-use areas. The fee is $3. Find more info: https://henrico.us/services/public-use-areas-for-disposal/.

Hello, Henrico Recycler!

So glad you are here!

Recycling got you confused? Try a bird’s-eye view.

Want even more expertise? Check out these commonly asked recycling questions.

Still have questions? Ask away.