About the Clean City Commission

The Richmond Clean City Commission is composed of City Council appointees and concerned volunteers who help clean and beautify Richmond. Their current program, "Pride in Richmond is Picking Up," includes Neighborhood Volunteer Clean-Ups, Graffiti Abatement, and Adopt-A-Spot. For more information call the Clean City Commission Coordinator at (804) 646-8325.

Clean City Commission Board Members

• Public Works Director: Bobby Vincent

• Support Services Manager

Citywide Neighborhood Clean-Up Program Runs March 11 - November 18, 2023

Program Details:

Press Release: Annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Program Starts March 11 |  Schedule and Map

Please note the following information about the program:

• Neighborhood cleanups are scheduled from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays

• Crews will collect bulk and brush items curbside and in alleys (wherever your trash is collected)

• Acceptable items include: furniture, mattresses, bulk household trash, yard waste, tires (four per household) and appliances. All brush must be cut into four foot lengths. We take everything except the items listed below: 

• Unacceptable items include: 

  • Electronics

  • Construction debris

  • Hazardous waste items

  • Broken glass. 

If you have questions please contact the Clean City Commission Liaison at (804) 646-8325

DIY Flyer - How to Properly Dispose Household Batteries, Paint, Hazardous Waste Items and Tires

Richmond E-Cycle Event (click on the tab above to get the complete details)

• City of Richmond residents only
• Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10 am to 2 pm
• Location: 1710 Robin Hood Road (northeast corner of Robin Hood Road and Arthur Ashe Boulevard)
• Electronics to Recycle - Flyer - List of Acceptable (and non-acceptable electronics to recycle)
• Fees for various electronics at the E-Cycle Event - Fees for electronics (provided by the vender)
• See the chart below with other helpful resources

In addition to the chart below, please use this link for a comprehensive list of recycling resources: https://linktr.ee/rvacleancitycommission?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

Note: details for the next recycling event (scheduled for September) will be posted mid-July 2023.

Recycling

The City of Richmond offers convenient curbside recycling.

Your collection day is the same as your refuse (trash) collection day, except it takes place every other week.

We serve residential customers in single-family homes, duplexes, and fourplexes.  Sorry, we do not service apartment complexes or businesses.

Richmond E-Cycle Events

The City of Richmond, in collaboration with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), typically holds recycling collection events quarterly. 

Various parts of popular electronic devices may contain dangerous heavy metals, including lead, silver, barium, cadmium, chromium and mercury. Richmond residents are welcome to bring their unwanted electronics. Most items are accepted free of charge however, some electronics have fees.

Note: Plastic Makes Problems

Plastic bags or plastic bagged recyclables are not accepted at our local recycling drop-off containers. Plastic bags and plastic bagged recyclables cause problems at the sorting facility, raise disposal costs and are impacting residential recycling programs nationwide. We are asking local recyclers to not place them in their recycling containers and to recycle plastic bags at local grocery/retail stores.

Useful Information, links and event details:

For more information, please call 804-646-8325 or send an email to askpublicworks@rva.gov

Statistics for Curbside Recycling - Tons

City Ordinance, No. 2007-230-275 allows receptacles to be placed on City property or in the public right-of-way no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day prior to collection and requires the receptacles be removed by 7:00 a.m. the day after collection. The city of Richmond will issue warnings for refuse and recycling receptacles left in the public right of way outside of specified collection times. The trash and recycling receptacles used by Richmond residents and businesses will be subject to these warnings. The City's Department of Public Works will place yellow warning stickers on receptacles that must be removed. Leaving receptacles on public sidewalks, alleys, roads and other city property isn't just unsightly, it also creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and vehicles. Please help keep these areas attractive and safe by removing your receptacles outside of the specified collection times.

Adopt-A-Spot/Street/Gateway Program

The Clean City Commission's Program is a great way to give back to the community and show your pride for the city.

We need your help keeping Richmond clean. 

Adopt-A-Spot/Street/Gateway Program Details:

The program is open to:

• Individuals, organizations, or businesses to "adopt" a street, intersection, lot, park, gateway - almost anywhere

Your Responsibility:

• Select an area you or your organization is interested in cleaning and fill out the agreement form and send it to us
• Commitment: Agree to keep the selected area cleared of litter for at least two years
• Each time you maintain your adopted area, fill out the Adopt-A-Street activity form and send it back to us.

We provide materials to help with the cleanups:

• Grabbers
• Gloves
• Bags
• DPW staff will collect the bags of litter 

We want to reward  your organization for helping keep Richmond litter free.

• After completing 10 (ten) documented cleanups, your organization will be eligible to receive a custom Adopt-A-Spot Sign with your organization's name  
  • The sign will be installed in the selected area where you have been working
• We will also list your name on our website with other stars/volunteers

For more information, please call 804-646-8325 or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

Why didn't they take my boxes?

You need to break down your cardboard boxes so we can put them in the truck.

Why don't you take plastic bags?

There currently is no market for such items.  However, many grocery stores do have bins to recycle plastic bags.

I live in an apartment complex.  What can I do?

Use the drop-off recycling sites below.  They take everything just as curbside.

Where are the Drop-Off Recycling Locations?

• Stratford Hills Shopping Center, 
  6788 Forest Hill Avenue, near Hathaway Road 
  Map It
   
• East Richmond Road Landfill
  3800 East Richmond Road 
  Map It
   
• Richmond Southside Transfer Station
  3520 North Hopkins Road 
  Map It
   
• Parker Field Annex
  1700 Robin Hood Road, gravel lot behind Credit Union 
  Map It

Rules

• No need to separate items. The following items can be mixed all together in your recycling bin : Newspapers, mixed paper, aluminum cans, steel cans, aluminum foil, glass bottles, jars
• There is a label on the lid detailing which recyclables to put in the can. Additionally, as of July 1, 2016, accepted items for recycling will now include plastics #1- #7 bottles and containers, caps and lids (all free of food and residue), and food and beverage cartons such as milk, juice, juice boxes, and egg substitutes. No plastics bags, Styrofoam, food contaminated pizza boxes are accepted.
• We serve residential customers in single-family homes, duplexes, and fourplexes.  Sorry, we do not service apartment complexes or businesses.

Local Impacts to changing Global Recycling Markets

Recycling and Green Events - click here for details

Documents:

• Resource Guide - Planning a Green Event in the City
• Green Event Checklist
• Recycle Bin Policy, Procedures and Fees
• Form - Recycle Bin Event Application - Use and Fees for Special Event Rental 

For more information on recycling, please call 804-646-8325.