A New Friend for Your Green Curbside Cart

With Arlington's weekly food scraps collection program launching next month, a County-provided countertop caddy, instructions and even introductory biodegradable bags will be delivered to curbside customer homes beginning this week.   The caddy will be handy for collecting and taking scraps from the kitchen to the green cart, which until now had been used just for yard waste. Pickup will take place as part of regular weekly curbside service.   The goal of the new program: to generate less waste overall and to divert food organics from incineration to composting with the associated environmental benefits.   Learn more: https://recycling.arlingtonva.us/food-scraps-collection

Street Sweeping is Back for 2021-2022

The new 2021-2022 street sweeping schedule launched today with the first of four quarterly runs that ultimately cover all neighborhoods across the County. 

Street sweeping removes accumulated debris and pollutants like sand, salt, metals, petroleum products and bacteria before they wash into streams, the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. County storm drains have no filters. Arlington’s 59 civic associations are grouped into 14 street sweeping zones. Tips for residents: 

• View the street sweeping schedule to see when your neighborhood will be swept. 
• Try to move cars off the street when your neighborhood's day arrives, to ensure the sweeper can be most effective.
• If you see a hanging tree limb over a curb and can safely remove it, please do so to help the sweeper get through.

Free Paper Shredding Next Weekend

A monthly weekend ritual for some, free paper shredding and inert material drop-off returns Aug. 7. The service is offered the first Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Earth Products Recycling Yard in Shirlington.    Check the calendar of events throughout the year for specific information or cancellation notices due to weather or holidays.

Free Mulch Available for Pickup -- Wood and Leaf Varieties

The Solid Waste Bureau offers free leaf and wood mulch for pickup at two Arlington locations, one north, the other south. Delivery is available for a fee. 

Know More About County Environmental Services

Follow the Arlington Department of Environmental Services on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and tips for residents.