Recycling in Charlottesville, VA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Large Item Pickup (opens in new tab) · City of Charlottesville Public Works
  • Residential addresses receiving City-operated curbside trash and recycling collection are eligible. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The City picks up large furniture, appliances, tree limbs and other bulky items that cannot fit in a trash container. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Fees over a rolling 365 days: first collection $35, second $50, all later collections $100. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Pay at the Treasurer's Office, by mail or online, then call 434-970-3830 to arrange a pickup date. Checked October 26, 2026.
• McIntire Recycling Center (opens in new tab) · Rivanna Solid Waste Authority
  • McIntire Recycling Center, 611 McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902; Wed-Mon 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (winter), 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (summer); closed Tuesday. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Accepted Items (opens in new tab) · Rivanna Solid Waste Authority
  • Listed recyclables are accepted for free at all three RSWA facilities, including McIntire Recycling Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Habitat Store (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville
  • The Habitat Store, 1221 Harris Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903; 434-293-6331. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted: gently used or new furniture, appliances, home decor, building materials and garden items, including paint and tools. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.29: Manufacturer recovery plan (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • The recovery plan must let a consumer recycle computer equipment without paying a separate fee at the time of recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The plan covers collection from a consumer of end-of-life computer equipment labeled with that manufacturer's brand. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collection methods that meet the law include mail-back at no charge to the consumer, a physical collection site, or collection events run by the manufacturer or its designee. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.27: Definitions (Computer Recovery and Recycling Act) (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • Computer equipment under the Act means a desktop or notebook computer and may include a computer monitor or other display device. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions, including display devices with a TV tuner, are not computer equipment under the Act. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A consumer is an individual using computer equipment bought primarily for personal or home business use. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.28: Applicability (Computer Recovery and Recycling Act) (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • The collection provisions apply to computer equipment used and returned to the manufacturer by a consumer in Virginia, and put no duty on solid waste facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Act does not cover motor vehicle parts, PDAs or telephones, or leased computer equipment. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.31: Retailer responsibility (computers) (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • Retailers that are not manufacturers do not have to collect computer equipment under the Act. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.37: Consumer responsibilities (computers) (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • The consumer is responsible for any information left on computer equipment that is collected, recycled or reused. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Virginia DEQ: Computer & Electronics Recycling (opens in new tab) · Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • DEQ: manufacturers of more than 500 units sold in Virginia must implement a recovery/recycling plan at no charge to the consumer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEQ keeps a list of computer manufacturers with recovery plans; many offer mail-in programs at no cost to the consumer, and the list links to each program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEQ warns that reformatting or deleting files does not permanently erase a hard drive; overwrite the drive or physically destroy it before recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Virginia DEQ: Computer Manufacturers with a Recovery Plan (PDF list, updated May 14, 2025) (opens in new tab) · Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • DEQ list of computer manufacturers with a recovery plan, giving brands and recovery plan websites (for example Dell, Alienware: www.dell.com/recycling). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.2: Collection of lead acid batteries for recycling (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • Anyone selling lead acid batteries at retail in Virginia must accept used lead acid batteries of the same type, at least equal in number to the new batteries purchased, if offered by customers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Code of Virginia 10.1-1425.1: Lead acid batteries; land disposal prohibited; penalty (opens in new tab) · Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System)
  • In this law, "lead acid battery" means any wet cell battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • It is unlawful to put a used lead acid battery in mixed municipal solid waste; it may go only to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter, or an authorized collection or recycling facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Improper disposal of a lead acid battery is punishable by a fine of up to $50 per battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Virginia DEQ: Recycling Guidance by Material (household hazardous waste) (opens in new tab) · Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  • DEQ: all locations that sell motor vehicle batteries are required to take back used batteries for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): FAQs (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • All Battery Network drop-off sites accept end-of-life rechargeable batteries; only some accept primary (single-use) batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Outside Vermont, Illinois and Washington, D.C. there is no stewardship program for free single-use battery recycling, so local programs that take alkaline batteries could charge a small fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Use the Battery Network drop-off locator; participating retailers include Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Battery Network does not accept car batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Protect terminals by bagging each battery individually or taping the terminals. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • Most sites accept common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location's details before visiting. Locator phone: 1-877-2-RECYCLE. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): State Recycling Laws (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle)
  • The Battery Network's state law list describes Virginia's lead acid battery management law; Virginia is not among its battery stewardship law states. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.