The Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE)

The Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) is a biannual environmentally friendly drop-off event at which residents can safely dispose of household hazardous materials (HHM) and old electronics. Household Hazardous Materials/Electronics Collection Recycling Center Location: Wakefield High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St. Access drop-off routing from South Dinwiddie east of Wakefield. See map.

Accepted Materials

• Automotive fluids
• Batteries
• Car care products
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
• Corrosives (acids/caustics)
• Fire extinguishers
• Flammable solvents
• Fluorescent tubes
• Fuels/petroleum products
• Household cleaners
• Lawn and garden chemicals
• Mercury
• Paint products (25-can limit)
• Photographic chemicals
• Poisons (pesticides)
• Printer ink/toner cartridges
• Propane gas cylinders (small hand-held or larger)
• Small metal items (returning to E-CARE for 2024)
• Swimming pool chemicals

Unaccepted Materials

• Asbestos
• Explosives and ammunition
• Freon
• Medical wastes
• Prescription medications
• Radioactive materials
• Smoke detectors

Electronics

Electronics including computers, printers, keyboards, scanners, copiers, cellphones and televisions (no large wooden console TVs) will be collected curbside from residential trash/recycling/yard waste customers with an online request for electronics pickup or by calling 703-228-5000 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. See below for fees involving old-style cathode ray televisions and computer monitors.

Items can also be dropped off at the Electronics Collection and Recycling Center.

There is a fee only for the old-style cathode ray televisions ($20) and cathode ray computer monitors ($15). All other screen and monitor drop-offs are free. Cash must be exact change. Checks should be made payable to “Arlington County Treasurer.”

Mercury

We’ll collect household devices containing mercury (thermostats, thermometers, sphygmomanometers, manometers, barometers, hygrometers and liquid mercury). CFLs will also be collected on site.

Not Taken at E-CARE: Bikes, Small Metal Items

Bikes for the World accepts serviceable and repairable bikes to be sent to countries where they are needed for basic transportation. For more information on donating, call 703-740-7856.

Small metal items can be placed curbside with a scheduled pick-up or dropped off at the County’s Earth Products Yard.

HHM Drop-Off Guidelines

• Materials should be in their original containers or properly labeled.
• Leaking containers should be over-packed to prevent spills.
• Nonhazardous trash materials will not be accepted.
• Business and commercial wastes will not be accepted.
• Bring ID to verify residency.
• Materials are accepted only during posted event hours.
• Smoking isn’t allowed at the drop-off site.

Pro tip: Pack your vehicle in reverse order of E-CARE drop-off. So electronics go in first, HHM next. It’ll make unloading much faster.