Solid Waste Services
Disposal, Collection, Recycling
The Solid Waste Division of the Hanover County Department of Public
Works maintains six solid waste service convenience centers where
residents may dispose of household waste and recyclable items, as
well as the transfer station off U.S. Rt. 301. The solid waste convenience
centers are available for household refuse only and are not to be
used by businesses. No fee is charged to Hanover residents for waste
disposal or recycling. Demolition waste is accepted only at the
transfer station and is subject to a charge.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Works, Solid
Waste Services, at 804-365-6158.
Yard Waste, Bulky Items, Etc.
Loose leaves and grass as well as brush under four-inches in diameter, and under six feet in length, may be disposed of at two sites: the Route 301 Landfill Yard Waste Area (open Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and the Mechanicsville Solid Waste Convenience Center (Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.). The Route 301 Landfill Yard Waste Area is past the Convenience Center and Transfer Station.
Loose leaves and grass (not brush) can be disposed of at the Route 301 Solid Waste Convenience Center and the Elmont Solid Waste Convenience Center.
Brush is ground into mulch, which is free to the public, while leaves and grass are composted. At all other centers, brush must be smaller than four inches in diameter and shorter than four feet in length and must comply with the standards specified in the rules and regulations. Trees and stumps are not accepted at any convenience center.
White goods containing Freon can be recycled at all locations. Bulky items as defined by the rules and regulations must be dumped in the large roll-off containers provided at all six stations as directed. All refuse must be placed in compactors and not placed on the ground. Laws against scavenging are enforced. Hot ashes may not be placed in containers; ashes must be extinguished first and wet.
Recycling
Recycling for glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, mixed paper (newspapers/magazines), corrugated paper, metal cans and used automobile batteries is available at all solid waste convenience centers. Both newspapers and magazines are accepted as the result of a Community Services Board program that provides employment to persons with disabilities, who sort the paper. Aluminum cans, aluminum foil, #1 and #2 narrow-neck plastic bottles, steel food and beverage cans, and glass bottles and jars can all be placed together. Remember to remove and discard the caps and lids of all bottles and jars and rinse all containers.
Co-Mix Category
Glass Jars & Bottles
Clear, Green/light blue and brown glass bottles and jars
- Throw away caps and lids
- Rinse bottles and jars
- Labels acceptable on bottles and jars
- Not acceptable:
- No caps or bottle tops of any kind
- No window glass, dishes, cooking dishes, or drinking
glasses
- No ceramic, light bulbs or mirrors
- No bags or boxes in glass bin
Metal
Cans & Foil
Steel, tin, aluminum cans and foil
- Empty, rinse and crush all cans
- Labels are acceptable on cans
- Not acceptable:
- No aerosol cans
- No aluminum siding or other scrap metal
- No pesticide or herbicide containers
Plastic
Bottles
Plastic soda, detergent and shampoo bottles, milk and juice jugs,
and other narrow-necked bottles.
- Check the container for the recycling symbol numbered 1 or 2
ONLY
- Discard lids or caps
- Rinse and crush bottles
- Not acceptable:
- No caps or bottle tops of any kind
Paper Category
Mixed
Paper and Textiles
Place paper in paper grocery bags.
- "Junk" mail
- Paper grocery bags (brown and white)
- Copy paper and computer paper
- Cereal/dry food boxes
- Telephone books (white pgs.) and paperback books
- Envelopes
- Not acceptable:
- No corrugated boxes
- No giftwrapping paper or foil
- No napkins or tissues
- No plastic-coated paper
- No hardcover books
Newspapers, magazines and catalogs
Please place newspapers (including inserts), magazines and catalogs in containers as marked.
Corrugated Boxes
- Must be flattened and placed in designated containers
- Not acceptable:
- No wax coated
- No wet strength
- No plastic cover
Textiles
Place textiles in plastic bags.
- Must be clean and dry, not soiled or wet
- Must be delivered in closed plastic bags to keep them separate
and dry
- Accepted textiles include clothing of any kind, any textile
item, fabric, small rugs, baseball caps, and stuffed animals

Special
Waste Category
Used motor oil, used residential oil filters and used anti-freeze
are accepted at all locations, with a limit of five gallons per
visit. Auto batteries are also accepted at all convenience centers.
All convenience centers have locations where residents can drop
off or pick up reusable items such as books, bikes, wagons, strollers
and wooden furniture.
Latex, vinyl and acrylic paints are no longer handled as special
waste but should be disposed of in the normal trash if the free
liquids are absorbed. An absorbent is available at all County convenience
centers for no charge. The Department of Public Works and Community
Services partner on a program in which individuals with disabilities
package a product which dries latex paint for safe disposal. Citizens
can also use cat litter or sawdust to absorb the liquid.
E-Waste
Electronic waste (e-waste) is accepted at the Rt. 301 Transfer Station. There is a charge for units with monitors ($5 for television and computer monitor and $10 for a wood-encased television). All other electronics (anything with a plug) are accepted at no cost from Hanover County residents. Normal tipping fees plus the charge apply to businesses. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are charged at a rate of 25 cents apiece. Some local home improvement centers recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs at no charge. For more information call the Department of Public Works at 804-365-6181. There may also be special e-waste events in the area; check the County’s web site for announcements.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is accepted at an annual event. Items such as pesticides, herbicides and corrosives will be accepted for a nominal charge.
Fees
Tipping fees at the landfill are $1.75 for a car-sized tire (no greater than 16-inch rims) and $8 for tires greater than 16 inches but less than 25 inches. The County does not accept tires with a rim of greater than 25 inches. Bulk tires are $130 per ton. Commercial appliances are $15 apiece. Credit cards as well as checks are accepted for payment at the landfill.
Construction and demolition waste is $50 per ton. All commercial waste is $50 per ton.
Additional Information
Hanover participates in the Central
Virginia Waste Management Authority's
recycling program.
Pamphlets about Hanover's solid waste services and recycling are
available at all County solid waste convenience centers and at the
Public Works Department at the County government complex.
For more information, contact the Department of Public Works, Solid
Waste Services, at 804-365-6158.
Visit OurEarth.org for more recycling information.
Ashland Refuse Collection
The Town of Ashland
provides pick up for single-family residential trash. It is picked
up once a week. If you are a Town resident and have a question or
complaint about refuse collection, you may call the Town offices
at (804)798-9219. Town crews also pick up yard brush and grass clippings
if the clippings are placed in biodegradable paper bags. Town leaders
encourage residents to compost yard waste whenever possible.
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