Trash troubles pile up with the county out of trash cans until later in fall

RestonNow.com September 16, 2022 at 1:40pm

Emptied trash and recycling bins by the street (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Trash troubles keep piling up with the county out of trash cans for at least another two months.

Fairfax County has “exhausted” its inventory of trash cans and won’t be able to provide new ones to residents until later this fall, Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) spokesperson Sharon North told FFXnow.

“A new order already has been placed and should be in-house by early November,” she said via email.

In the meantime, North suggested that residents who are waiting on a new trash can to put their trash in a box or another container and leave it curbside on their pick-up day.

“It will be picked up, even if it’s in a box,” she said.

The missing trash can issue was brought to FFXnow’s attention by a Dranesville District resident.

Just called @fairfaxcounty to get a new #trash can after mine cracked. Was told they don’t have any and don’t know when they will be getting any. Also said they won’t reimburse me for one I buy. Told me to put my trash in a box 🤔 @ffxconnector @TysonsReporter @washingtonpost

— Kate Hawken (@katehawken) September 15, 2022

About 90% of county residents and businesses have their trash picked up by private haulers, but about 10% have theirs picked up by the county. That’s about 43,000 residential units.

It’s those 43,000 that are potentially impacted by the shortage, though it only applies to those who are requesting a new trash can due to theirs being broken, moving into a new house, or are otherwise in need.