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Solid Waste

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1. What is included in solid waste collection services?

Solid waste collection services includes the Town’s curbside garbage collection service as well as its curbside recycling collection service. All solid waste customers will receive both services for a monthly fee of $22.

2. How do I sign up for solid waste collection service?

Residents who have selected to receive curbside solid waste collection services are enrolled in both garbage and recycling collection services. The monthly fee for curbside solid waste collection is $22. Call the Finance Department at 540-382-9519 to sign up for garbage and recycling, or visit Town Hall at 100 E. Main Street.

3. Can I sign up for curbside recycling and not garbage collection or vice versa?

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. 

4. How do I cancel my solid waste collection service?

Cancelling your solid waste service will result in cancelling both garbage collection and recycling services. In order to cancel your solid waste service, you may visit 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. 

If you cancel your service, you will have to haul your trash to the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority Landfill (555 Authority Drive) or to one of the Montgomery County disposal sites located throughout the County. 

5. If I cancel my solid waste collection service, what will I do with my trash?

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

6. When will my solid waste be collected?

View the Garbage Collection Map (PDF) for pickup schedules where you live.

GFL collects 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. View the  Recycling Schedule (PDF) for a complete schedule.

The Town of Christiansburg publishes a yearly collection schedule that is delivered to residents with their utility bills in January. View the Holiday Solid Waste Schedule (PDF) for a complete list of date changes. These dates are subject to change. Please stay up to date with any solid waste collection schedule changes by subscribing to the Town’s Citizen Alert service at www.christiansburg.org/alerts. Also, follow the Town on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CburgVAGov for updates. 

7. Will my solid waste be collected during severe winter weather?

Collection is generally not disrupted due to winter weather, but delays do occasionally occur.

Complete cancellation of solid waste collection due to winter storms is a rare occurrence; but is possible. These situations are dictated by the weather event. In the rare case that garbage collection is canceled, this information will be communicated through local media outlets, social media, Citizens Alerts and on the Town’s website in News and Announcements.

8. 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. To request assistance, please call 540-382-9519 or fill out the form below and mail or deliver it to Town Hall (100 E. Main Street).

Garbage Cart Assistance Form (PDF)

9. Are there recycling drop sites in Town?

Mongtomery County offers ten sites that collect recycling, as well as garbage. All Town residents can visit the following locations:

• Coal Bank Hollow: 200 Coal Bank Hollow Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060
• Ellett Valley: 910 Luster’s Gate Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060
• Elliston-Lafayette: 5231 Enterprise Dr., Elliston, VA 24087
• McCoy: 5455 McCoy Rd., McCoy, VA 24111
• Merrimac: 751 Merrimac Rd., Christiansburg, VA 24073
• Plum Creek: 1515 Hornsby Dr., Christiansburg, VA 24073
• Price’s Fork: 4680 Price’s Fork Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060
• Riner: 1612 Auburn School Dr., Riner, VA 24149
• Rogers: 2750 Pilot Rd., Pilot, VA 24068
• Wayside: 4985 Wayside Dr., Christiansburg, VA 24073

10. Is curbside recycling available for businesses?

Yes, as of February 1, 2020, all current business customers with Town solid waste collection service will be automatically enrolled in the curbside recycling program along with any new business accounts. 

11. When will I get my garbage and recycling carts?

Residents who have successfully signed up for solid waste collection will receive their carts within 5 business days.

12. What size solid waste carts will I receive?

You will select the size of the carts you want to receive when you sign up for solid waste collection. Residents can either choose to receive the large 96-gallon garbage and 96-gallon recycling carts or the small 48-gallon garbage and 65-gallon recycling carts. You may request either size at the time you sign up for solid waste services and additional carts may be given upon request for an additional monthly fee of $22. Customers are encouraged to choose the 96-gallon cart for their solid waste collection. However, the Town understands that the needs of each household vary.

13. Do I have to receive a recycling cart if I want solid waste services?

When you sign up for solid waste collection, you do not have to receive the recycling cart if you do not want it, but you will have to pay the $22 monthly fee regardless of if you use the recycling cart. If you do not wish to have a recycling cart, please call Finance at 540-382-9519. 

14. What if I want a different size cart?

We allow a one-time cart exchange for free. For example, if you have 96-gallon recycling and garbage carts and would like a 65-gallon recycling cart and a 48-gallon garbage 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. 

Garbage Cart Request Form (PDF)

15. Where should I place my carts on my collection day?

Your carts 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 carts 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 garbage and recycling must be placed inside of the provided carts to be collected. Any garbage and recycling outside of the containers cannot be loaded by the automated truck. All smaller items in garbage containers need to be placed into a sealed bag. Please note that if the lid on your cart is not closed, any garbage or recycling that falls outside of the cart will not be collected.

16. What time do I have to have my cart out on my collection day?

Please have your cart placed for pickup by 8 a.m. If you place your cart out later than 8 a.m., your solid waste may not be collected. Garbage and recycling carts need to be removed from the curb by the end of your collection day.

17. Where should I store my cart?

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

18. 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.

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

No. All recyclables should be loose in your cart.

20. What items are recyclable with curbside collection?

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.

21. 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.

22. Do I have to rinse containers for recycling?

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. 

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

No. 

24. Can I recycle plastic?

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

25. Can I recycle glass?

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

26. Can I recycle metal?

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

27. What if I need additional solid waste carts?

If you need additional carts, you may purchase additional garbage and recycling service. You will then receive one additional garbage cart and one additional recycling cart for an additional monthly fee of $22. Additional service may be set up by calling 540-382-9519 or by filling out and sending in the Garbage Cart Request Form (PDF).

28. What if I have more solid waste than will fit in my carts?

You can store non-perishable garbage and add it to your garbage the following week.

We encourage all organic (e.g., yard trimmings, etc.) and food waste to be composted or disposed of separately from your garbage. This will conserve valuable landfill space, reduce volume in your cart and further reduce odor.

If you are moving and have a significant volume of trash, you can either call a Town representative at 540-382-1151 to setup a special collection (fees apply) or transport it to the MRSWA landfill (located at 555 Authority Dr.).

The Town of Christiansburg also offers complimentary curbside brush collection to all residential properties within town limits. Collection will take place once a month beginning on the first Monday of the month. Residents must have brush piles placed out by 7 a.m. on the Monday of their collection week. In the event of high brush volume, residents can expect brush collection delays, but crews will continue collection until all routes are complete. Unlike Fall and Spring Cleanup, crews will not visit a residence more than once during the two week period. It’s imperative brush piles are placed out by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week. For additional information about Brush Collection, visit here.

The Town also offers Fall and Spring Clean Up during April and October (approximate). During this time, residents of the Town desiring special trash pick-up must place these materials with their garbage on the regular pick-up day. Special trucks will pick up extra items not appropriate for normal weekly pick-up. While there is no charge for items picked up during spring clean up, there will be a charge assessed for items placed out after this period. For additional information regarding Fall and Spring Clean Up, please visit here.

If high garbage volume becomes a consistent issue, you may need to contact the Town at 540-382-9519 for additional garbage collection service (fee applies).

29. What if an item is too large to fit in my solid waste carts?

Items that are too large to fit into the cart may be stored until the fall or spring cleanup period or you may contact the Town at 540-382-9519 to request a special pickup (fees apply).

30. What if I move within Town?

If you are moving within Town limits, please call the Finance Department at 540-382-9519 to let them know you will be changing addresses. The Public Works Department will be dispatched to pickup up your carts and deliver new ones to your new address, or if your new address already has carts, then those carts will be registered in your name and your old carts will be collected.

If you are unsure your new residence is eligible for Town solid waste collection, please call 540-382-9519 for further guidance.

If you wish to discontinue your solid waste collection service or need to update your address information, please call 540-382-9519.

31. What areas in Town are eligible to receive solid waste collection services?

The areas that are eligible for solid waste collection service are the areas that are currently receiving utility services (water and/or sewer) through the Town and are accessible to a solid waste truck.

Garbage Collection Map (PDF)

32. How do I clean my carts?

Cleaning your cart with water and mild detergent will help prevent odor and keep the cart looking nice. Please note that all ashes are prohibited from being placed into your garbage. Composting ash waste is recommended.

Carts are the property of the Town of Christiansburg and under no circumstance shall they be defaced by means of vandalism, painting, marking and/or all other alterations. Should any such damage be noted by a field operator, the account holder will be notified.

33. Where may I place my cart in the event that there is a snow bank at the curb?

If your cart will not fit inside of your driveway entrance then you may need to shovel an opening into the snow bank where the cart may be placed.

Please do not place your cart on a snow bank unless you have shoveled a level opening in the bank where your garbage can be collected. Your garbage will not be collected if the cart is placed on too uneven a surface because the garbage truck’s mechanical arm may not be able to reach the cart.

34. My solid waste was not picked up today. Why not?

Please call the Town office at (540) 382-9519. Additionally, if your solid waste pickup day is on a Town observed holiday, please check the News & Announcement portion of the Town website located on the homepage here or view the Town’s Facebook page for changes in solid waste collection due to observed holidays. The Solid Waste Holiday Schedule is here but is subject to change.

35. When is spring and fall clean up?

Spring and Fall Clean Up takes place during the months of April and October (approxiamte). Be sure to check the Town website and utility bill inserts for specific dates. Residents may still dispose of materials in the following ways: 1) Call 382-6120 to schedule a pickup of your materials at a cost of $25 per truckload, plus an additional landfill tipping fee. This service is available year-round 2) Haul the items directly to the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority, located at 555 Authority Dr. (www.mrswa.com)