Whether you’re a contractor on a construction site or a family cleaning out a large area of a home, proper waste disposal is an important part of the process. Since 1989, Virginia state law has required each municipality to have solid waste management plans that include curbside recycling or recycling centers to meet certain thresholds. Here’s what you need to know about the rules and regulations.

What Virginia Recycling Laws Say

How to Dispose of Home Items

The precise rules about what you can dispose and where it should be taken — whether to a recycling center or brought to the curb — vary from town to town. Most locations accept common materials, such as plastics, aluminum or tin cans, newsprint and printer paper, and cardboard, for curbside pickup. Other household items, such as furniture or yard debris, will need to be brought to a recycling center for sorting and processing. If you’re disposing of an old appliance, you’ll need have potentially harmful substances removed, such as Freon® from air conditioners. If you’re getting rid of many items, it may be more convenient to rent a dumpster, which a company can transport for you.

What to Do With Recyclable Construction Materials

Construction projects can generate massive amounts of waste, from copper piping and shingles to wood debris and concrete. Given the volume of items to be disposed, you’ll likely need to rent a dumpster to have a company transport it to a landfill or recycling center. There may be a county and city fee assessed per ton. The good news is that you may qualify for a tax credit for recycling. Check with your C.P.A. to see if you qualify for tax credits for your business.

When you need a reliable and efficient way to dispose of your waste materials, look no further than The Green Earth Company in Harrisonburg, VA. This recycling center and waste management group offers residential curbside pickup as well as construction dumpster rental and concrete recycling. As a LEED-certified company, they supply top quality services for construction companies and residential customers throughout Harrisonburg, Fishersville, Luray, Waynesboro, Woodstock, Staunton, and the Shenandoah Valley. Find out more about their services online. Call today at (540) 801-8668 for construction service or for a personalized residential plan.