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Recycling

Show All Answers

1. Can I sign up for curbside recycling and not garbage collection?

No. The services come together as a package. If you register for one service, you must pay for the other.

2. Can I sign up for garbage collection and not curbside recycling?

No. The services come together as a package. If you register for one service, you must pay for the other. The Town found this is the most cost-effective way to provide the service and make it viable. If curbside recycling was an add-on option and not required, the Town would not be able to provide the service at such a low rate.

3. How do I cancel my curbside recycling service?

In order to cancel your recycling service, you must also cancel your garbage service, which you may do by visiting the Finance Department on the first floor of Town Hall at 100 E. Main Street or by calling (540) 382-9519 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

4. If I cancel my garbage collection service, what will I do with my trash?

You will have to haul your trash to the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority landfill (located at 555 Authority Drive) or to one of the Montgomery County disposal sites located throughout the County.

5. How will curbside recycling affect my utility bill?

To accommodate curbside recycling, there will be a $5 increase to the garbage collection fee, increasing monthly service from $17 to $22, beginning July 1.

6. How do I sign up for curbside recycling?

You will be automatically signed up for curbside recycling if you are a current garbage customer. While garbage collection through the Town of Christiansburg is not mandatory for residents, those who have the service will be required to have curbside recycling. If you are not a current garbage customer, you will need to sign up for both garbage and recycling in order to have the service. We will not be sending out sign-up forms. Call the Finance Department at 540-382-9519 to sign up for garbage and recycling, or visit Town Hall at 100 E. Main Street.

7. What will I do if I am physically challenged and unable to get my container to the street?

Assistance is available to persons with a verified disability. If you are already receiving assistance to get your garbage cart to the curb, you will continue to receive that assistance plus assistance for your recycling container. If you are not already receiving this assistance and would like to request assistance, please call 540-382-9519.

8. Will you be keeping the recycling drop sites in Town?

The Town will be evaluating the use of the drop sites over time. The Town will be closing the Christiansburg High School site due to a decrease in usage. The Town still maintains the following drop sites:

• Cambria Street Northeast, near the intersection with North Franklin Street
• Home Depot parking lot (200 Conston Ave. NW)
• Christiansburg Elementary School (160 Wades Ln.)
• Food Lion parking lot (1530 Roanoke St.)

9. Is curbside recycling available for businesses?

No, curbside recycling is only available for residential properties at this time. Businesses who have garbage collection will not be charged the $5 increase, since they will not be provided the service.

10. When will my curbside recycling pickup be?

Waste Industries will collect your recycling every other week and will follow the Town’s regular garbage collection schedule. This means if your garbage is scheduled to be collected on Mondays, your recycling will be picked up every other Monday. A pickup calendar with your exact collection dates will be attached to your recycling cart when it is delivered in June.

11. When will curbside recycling start?

Curbside recycling service will begin the first week of July for residents with Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday garbage collection service. Residents with Thursday and Friday service will have their first pickups on July 12 and 13.

12. When will I get my recycling cart?

Waste Industries will be delivering recycling carts during the first two weeks of June. Please be sure to read the attached information, which will provide additional details on the service and will include a magnetic pickup schedule with your exact collection dates.

13. What size cart will I receive?

There are two recycling cart sizes available – 96 gallons and 65 gallons. You will receive the cart size that matches your current solid waste cart. For example, if you currently have a 96-gallon garbage cart, you will receive the 96-gallon recycling cart. If you currently have a 48-gallon garbage cart, you will receive the 65-gallon recycling cart. If you are currently paying for two solid waste carts, you will receive two recycling carts.

14. I have two garbage carts but only want one recycling cart. What can I do?

You’ll need to downsize to one garbage cart. Hopefully, with the addition of a recycling cart, you’ll produce less garbage!

15. Do I have to receive a recycling cart?

You do not have to receive or keep the recycling cart if you do not want it, but you do have to pay the increase, totaling to $22 a month, if you'd like to continue receiving solid waste collection. If you are willing to pay the $22 but do not wish to have a recycling cart, please call Finance at 540-382-9519. 

16. What if I want a different size cart?

We allow a one-time cart exchange for free. For example, if you have a 96-gallon cart and would like a 65-gallon cart, just call our Public Works Department at (540) 382-1151 or our Finance Department at 540-382-9519, and we’ll get the cart switched out for free.

17. Where should I place my cart out on my pickup day?

Your cart must be placed either in the street with the wheels against the curb (preferred), at the end of your driveway or on the curb/yard beside of the street. If the placement of your cart in the street will obstruct traffic, then it should instead be placed at the end of your driveway, on the curb or at the edge of your yard beside the street. Please make sure that the cart is level, the arrows on your cart’s lid points toward the street and your cart is at least three feet from all fixed objects such as mailboxes, trees, street lights or parked vehicles. Please leave a three foot gap between carts placed next to each other. Please remember that all recycling must be placed inside of the provided cart to be collected.

18. What time do I have to have my cart out on the curb on my recycling day?

Please have your cart placed for pickup by 8 a.m. If you place your cart out later than 8 a.m., your recycling may not be collected.

19. Where should I store my cart?

The best place to store your cart is in an indoor area such as a garage or shed. You may also store your cart outdoors, to the side or rear of your house.

20. What should I do if my cart is damaged or stolen?

If your cart is damaged, please call the Public Works Department at (540) 382-1151 or our Finance Department at 540-382-9519. A Waste Industries representative will be sent to your residence to repair or replace your cart. The Town is not responsible for carts left unattended. Please note that this service is provided to you, free of charge only if the damage occurred during regular use. If your cart is stolen, you will first need to file a report with the Christiansburg Police Department at (540) 382-3131. Then, contact the Public Works Department at (540) 382-1151 or our Finance Department at 540-382-9519 for a replacement cart.

21. Should I place a bag in my cart before filling it with recyclables?

No. All recyclables should be loose in your cart.

22. Can I recycle...

Milk or juice cartons? No.

Plastic milk jugs? Yes.
Broth or soup packages? No.
Pizza boxes? Yes, just make sure there are no food solids left in the box.
Plastic bags? No.
Shredded paper? No.
Aluminum foil? No.
Motor oil containers? Yes, as long as the container is empty.
Corrugated cardboard? Yes. Larger boxes may take up more space in your cart, so you can still opt to drop large items off at the drop sites. However, if you can fit it in your cart, that is fine.

23. Do I leave the lid on my containers or take them off before recyling?

You can leave the lids on the containers, as long as the container is empty.

24. Do I have to rinse containers?

No. If all contents have been removed, you do not need to rinse the container. However, to avoid potentially attracting ants, bees or other insects, you may want to consider cleaning out certain containers. 

25. Do I need to remove labels before recyling an item?

No. 

26. Can I recycle plastic?

You can recycle plastics #1-2. You cannot recycle plastics #3-7. Please check the number before recycling. 

27. Can I recycle glass?

When it comes to glass, only recycle glass bottles and jars. No broken glass or sharps are allowed.

28. Can I recycle metal?

When it comes to metal, only recycle metal cans. No metal car parts, electronics, cords or wires are allowed.