What do I do with unwanted household goods?
There are many charities and non-profit organizations in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area that are in need of usable household and office items to support their work. Simply check the yellow pages for an organization close to you. Donating your usable things, instead of throwing them out, helps others in need and reduces waste at the same time.  Another option is to drop off your items at Rivanna Solid Waste Authority's Encore Shop!

Where can I recycle packaging such as peanuts, styrofoam, and bubble wrap?
Local packaging and mailing stores such as Mail Boxes Etc (977 Seminole Trail); Pack N Mail (536 Pantops Center); and Signed, Sealed, & Delivered (1900 Rio Hill Center) will accept clean packing materials for reuse. Please call stores directly for specific details. The "Peanut Hotline," sponsored by the Plastic Loose Fill Council, has more information at 1-800-828-2214.

My office throws a lot of paper away. How can we recycle it?
To set up an office paper recycling program in your workplace, check out our Business Recycling Programs. Most types of paper generated at work including computer paper, copier paper, colored paper, stationary, message slips, envelopes, boxboard, cardboard, newspapers, magazines etc., can be recycled.   Check out the Paper Sort Facility to find out more. Recycling will save your company money on waste disposal costs and protect the environment, too.

Where can I recycle magazines and junk mail?
Individuals can recycle magazines and junk mail at the McIntire Road Recycling Center.

For ways to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, check out our Reduce Page.

Where can motor oil be recycled?
Used oil can be taken to many area gas stations and automotive parts shops during regular business hours. These companies will accept oil for a nominal fee or in some cases free of charge from individuals.  The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority also accepts motor oil at our household hazardous waste collection site located at the Material Utilization Center in Ivy. For a complete list of motor oil recycling locations, click here and visit our household hazardous waste page. Please do not mix used oil with any other automotive fluids.

What do I do with my old paint and other hazardous materials that I have at home?
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority holds periodic collection days for acids, pesticides, adhesives, gasoline, kerosene, household cleaners, floor and furniture polish, and paint products.  Motor oil, antifreeze, household batteries, and oil based and latex paints may be recycled during normal business hours at the Material Utilization Center. For information on these collections days or to find out the proper way to dispose of other hazardous home and garden products, call the RSWA at (434) 977-2976 or check out our household hazardous waste page.

Why can't all plastics be recycled?
Plastic containers coded with a #1 or #2 inside a recycling symbol on the bottom of plastic containers are recyclable in most communities in the county. These recyclable containers typically include soda bottles; milk, water and juice jugs; cooking oil and liquor bottles; and detergent containers. Other plastics coded with a #3, #4, #5, #6, or #7 are not typically recycled in the county due to limited or non-existent markets. As the plastics recycling industry grows and new products can be made using these other plastics, we hope to expand the types of plastics collected locally.

How can I recycle my phone books?
The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority conducts an annual phone book collection drive each spring when the new phone books are delivered. During the drive, phone books may be recycled at the McIntire Road Recycling Center or at the Sprint business office located at 2307 Hydraulic Road. (In addition, phone books may also be recycled throughout the year at McIntire Road Recycling.)

My organization wants to hold a recycling collection drive as a fundraiser. What materials should we collect?
Recyclables such as newspapers, aluminum cans, plastics and glass sell for varying prices. Due to a current slump in market prices, the Solid Waste District suggests collecting aluminum cans to raise money. Other materials will not be as profitable at this time. Aluminum cans will sell for an average of $.40 a pound. Aluminum cans can be cashed in at a local scrap metal dealer, such as Coiner's Scrap Metal.

Where can I take tanks for proper disposal?
Amerigas, formerly Columbia Propane, accepts propane tanks. See www.amerigas.com/consumer_cylinderexchange.html for details.

The following companies accept certified tanks:

Coiners Scrap Yard: 296-6465
Staunton Metal Works (New Life Recycling): 1-800-287-3851

To get a tank properly prepared and certified:

Wel, Inc. Concord, VA 1-800-847-2455
Care Environmental Inc.: 1-800-494-2273

How do I report incidences of litter?
For Albemarle County, call the Litter Hotline Number at 434-972-4145. For the City of Charlottesville, call Charlottesville Public Service Dept. at 434-970-3830.