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Solid Waste Management - Business Recycling

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1. Are all businesses in Loudoun County required to recycle?

Yes. As of October 1, 2003, all businesses in the unincorporated areas of Loudoun County must separate at least one principle recyclable material (PRM) generated annually in the largest quantity. In multi-tenant commercial properties in which individual businesses do not manage their own solid waste, the principle recyclable material shall be determined on the basis of the property’s combined waste stream. The term "business" means a business, corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint stock company, county, city, town, governmental body, or any other legal entity.

Recyclable material may not be disposed as solid waste, but shall be deposited only at a lawful recycling drop-off center, recycling facility, approved facility, or through a permitted solid waste collector that provides recycling services. For more information, see the Directory of Recycling Services Providers as well as the Loudoun County Recycling Drop-Off Center.

2. What is a "PRM?"

PRMs (principle recyclable materials) include paper, metals (except automobile bodies), plastics, glass, yard waste, wood, and textiles. The most common PRMs are white office paper, mixed paper, cardboard, and paperboard.

3. Who is responsible for collecting my recyclables?

If your solid waste collector is a major collector, they are required to include service to collect your recyclables provided your recyclables are white office paper, mixed paper or cardboard. Major collectors operate 4 or more vehicles and collect more than 2,000 tons of solid waste annually. View a list of Major Collectors and Recycling Collectors. This list can also be obtained from the Loudoun County Department of General Services, Waste Management Division, by emailing oswm@loudoun.gov or calling 703-777-0187.

Please contact your current solid waste collector about establishing recycling services for your business if your PRM is white office paper, mixed paper, or cardboard.

4. Who is responsible for collecting and transporting my recyclables if they are not white office paper, mixed paper, or cardboard?

Solid waste collectors are only required to collect and recycle source-separated office paper, mixed paper, and/or cardboard for recycling from businesses. Businesses with waste streams including some other PRM generated in greater quantity than paper, such as yard waste, arboreal waste, textiles, or bottles and cans, are still required to recycle that material regardless if their solid waste collector will provide the necessary recycling collection service.

There are local solid waste collectors that do provide curbside recycling service for items such as co-mingled recyclables including aluminum cans, steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles and jugs, as well as office paper / cardboard.

Businesses that choose not to use curbside recycling services, or that may not have access to curbside service, are welcome to use the Loudoun County Recycling Drop-Off Centers to recycle glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic bottles and jugs, and mixed paper including cardboard.

The Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility, also known as the Loudoun County Landfill, accepts a variety of materials for recycling (fees apply) including scrap metal, yard waste, arboreal waste, tires, propane tanks, and refrigerated appliances. The facility also accepts other materials for recycling (at no charge) including used motor oil, antifreeze, automotive batteries, mixed paper, cardboard, and beverage / food / detergent bottles and cans.

5. Who is responsible for notifying tenants and/or employees that recycling is mandatory in Loudoun County?

It is the responsibility of the business owner, property owner or property manager to notify new tenants and/or employees within five days in writing of the mandatory recycling requirement, and no less frequently than annually thereafter.

6. What information must I provide to my tenants and/or employees when notifying them that recycling is mandatory in Loudoun County?

The written notification shall set forth the requirements and include:

• Source separation of recyclable material from the waste stream is mandatory for all tenants and employees
• What material(s) will be recycled
• How the recyclable material will be prepared
• Any set-out requirements
• Location of recycling containers
• Prohibitions against contamination of source separated recyclable material
• The collection schedule for recyclable material
• Name and telephone number of a representative of the business or multiple resident facility whom the tenant or employee should contact with any questions

7. Who is responsible for ensuring my employees recycle in the work place?

All businesses shall be responsible for ensuring its employees comply with the requirements for both the separation and proper disposal of recyclable materials.

8. What if the business recycles at a drop-off center or through a collector that is not permitted by the county?

Any business that separates recyclable material from its solid waste stream and such source separated material is collected and transported by someone other than those currently permitted in Loudoun County is required to submit an annual recycling report to the Department of General Services by January 31 of each calendar year for the preceding year.

Please contact the Department of General Services, Waste Management Division, by emailing oswm@loudoun.gov or calling 703-777-0187 for the annual reporting requirements and report form. If your waste collector is not currently permitted, please contact this office with the business name and telephone number of your waste collector.