Inert Materials & Paper Shredding

Shredded paper

Inert Materials

Materials accepted at Inert Materials and Scrap Metal Drop-Off Facility:

  • Asphalt
  • Ceramic tile (no metal mesh)
  • Concrete (no metal rebar, mesh or other metal)
  • Earth
  • Masonry block
  • Rock
  • Sand

Only a small pickup truck load or 3 cubic yards of material can be accepted at the Inert Materials and Scrap Metal Drop-Off Facility.

The following is not accepted as part of the Inert Material Drop-Off Program:

  • Brush
  • Construction debris (paint, drywall, lumber, etc.)
  • Electronic waste (TVs, computers, etc.)
  • Bulk waste (furniture, mattresses, etc.)
  • General trash

Look Up Your Item & How To Prepare

Free Paper Shredding

  • First Saturday of each month (barring holiday weekends or cancellations), from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Inert Materials and Scrap Metal Drop-Off Facility. Check the calendar of events for specific information or cancellation notices due to inclement weather. Holiday weekends mean the shredding event takes place the following weekend.
  • Paper shredding is for Arlington County, Va. residents only (sorry, businesses are not allowed). Residents must be prepared to show ID with an Arlington address.
  • Limit of two boxes (no larger than 18 in. x 11 in. x 10 in.), or two paper bags per customer.
  • Acceptable: paper (including staples, paper clips), checks/checkbooks.
  • Unacceptable: magazines, catalogs, credit cards, three-ring binders or phone book-sized material.
  • Note: Due to a June 2023 change in logistics, residents are no longer able to view the shredding process, and they give their tacit approval by entering the drive-thru routing.  

Cart Washing Service – April through November

  • Cart washing is for County-provided carts only (Recycling, Trash and Yard Waste).
  • By appointment, bring carts empty to the Earth Products Yard at the Trades Center.
  • The wash cycle takes approximately 2-3 minutes per cart. Allow time to air dry.
  • Available April through November.

Recycling Right Q&A