Residential Disposal

Policy Conditions Effective July 1, 2025

Locations

Residents of the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton may dispose of household waste at no charge under this policy at:

Acceptable Materials

The following items are accepted during normal operating hours: (NOTE: We accept a maximum of 5 total gallons of liquid per visit, regardless of type. This means the combined amount of all liquids cannot exceed 5 gallons.)

  • Aerosol paint cans
  • Latex paint - Maximum quantity of 5 gallons per visit
  • Lead acid automobile batteries
  • Used antifreeze - Maximum quantity of 5 gallons per visit
  • Used motor oil - Maximum quantity of 5 gallons per visit

Other, additional items are allowed at our monthly collection events.

Tires/Shrubbery/Brush/Construction Material

  • Tires: 4 Passenger Car Tires Per Trip, after (4) $5 each *NOTE*Tires must be off the rim. No wheels accepted!
  • Do it Yourself Construction Debris: Yes
  • Rock, Dirt, Brick, Concrete, Asphalt: Yes Up to 500 Pounds
  • Single-Family Rental Property Residents: Yes - Tenants Only
  • Brush or shrubbery, Yard Waste Furniture, and Appliances
  • Construction and remodeling debris resulting from doing it yourself - homeowner work
  • Household debris from clean up or clean out

Batteries

Batteries are accepted during our monthly household hazardous waste events (remember to pre-register!). Items accepted include:

  • Alkaline / Zinc-Carbon Batteries
  • Rechargeable Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries
  • Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries
  • Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries
  • Rechargeable, small-sealed lead acid batteries

A little more about lithium batteries....they are in so many of the devices that we use each and every day like cell phones, laptops and even children's toys. But did you know that tossing your lithium batteries in the trash is dangerous? We want to help you keep fires from happening in your home and in our solid waste workers trucks, the transfer station and the landfill. If you can't make it to one of our household hazardous waste collection events, then visit call2recycle.org to find a battery recycling location near you. Find fire safety tips about lithium batteries by clicking here.

Options for Disposal of Prescription Drugs

Permanent drug drop box locations in the Roanoke Valley:

  • Roanoke County Sheriff's Office:
    401 E Main Street
    Salem, VA 24153
  • Walgreen's Drug Store
    4841 Williamson Road NW
    Roanoke, VA 24012
  • Carilion Clinic
    2011 Crystal Spring Avenue
    Roanoke, VA 24014
  • Town of Vinton Municipal Building
    Lower Level-Police Dept. Entrance
    311 S. Pollard Street
    Vinton, VA 24179

Instructions

Home disposal, when completed correctly per the instructions is another option to dispose of prescription drugs:

  • Remove medications from their original containers. If the medication is solid, crush it or add water to dissolve it and then mix the medication with an undesirable substance, such as kitty litter or coffee grounds.
  • Place the mixture in a container with a lid or in a sealable baggie to prevent the medication from leaking, and throw it into the trash.
  • Do not dispose of medications in the toilet or sink, unless specifically instructed to on the label.

Sharp Disposal

Options for Disposal of Sharp materials such as needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects can be disposed of by the following:

  • Disposal: Dispose of the sealed, full container with your household trash. Do not place the container in the recycling bin.
  • Label/Warning: Place a large label with a warning on the container. CAUTION! SYRINGES - NEEDLES. DO NOT RECYCLE!
  • Rigid Container: Use a container with a screw-on cap such as an empty opaque laundry detergent bottle or bleach bottle. The bottles must be able to be marked with a warning label using a felt-tipped marking pen.
  • Seal: After the container is full, seal the bottle with the original cap and wrap tape over the cap.
  • You can also dispose of sharps at a community disposal site:
    • 350 Albemarle Ave., SW Roanoke, VA 24016 (Mon-Fri, 10a-6p) or 502 Campbell Ave., SW Roanoke, VA 24016 (Mon-Fri, 9a-4p). 

For a step by step guide on how to dispose of sharps along with more information, visit the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts website by clicking here.


Waivers & Special Disposal Information

  • City of Roanoke - 540-853-2000 
  • City of Salem - 540-375-3071 
  • County of Roanoke - 540-387-6225 
  • Town of Vinton - 540-983-0605

Important Information

  • All loads must be properly covered or the driver shall pay a $25 fee before dumping
  • Maximum size vehicle approved under the Free Residential Program is a ¾ ton or 8 foot trailer
  • The program is not available for waste generated by contracted work
  • RVRA reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any material for any reason at its sole discretion
  • RVRA reserves the right to require proof of residence (i.e. valid driver's license; utility bill, etc.)
  • Tires are $5 each over the set limit; tires must be separated from other waste when dumped
  • Trailers greater than 8' will be assessed 2 trips toward the 12-trip/year allotment
  • Maximum Vehicle Size: ¾ ton Pickup; Trailer (Greater than 8 foot are charged 2 trips)

Unacceptable Materials

The following materials are not accepted at HHW events:

  • Asbestos material - Contact RVRA for disposal help
  • Biologically active or infectious material
  • Explosive material (including ammunition) - Contact the Police or Sheriff's Department in your locality for information
  • Gas cylinders (excluding 8-pound barbeque tanks) - Contact your local gas company for information
  • Radioactive material
  • Shingles
  • Prescription drug medications
  • Stumps/logs greater than 24 inches in diameter
  • Smoke Alarms - See Instructions
  • Waste generated outside the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, the County of Roanoke or the Town of Vinton

If the inspection determines any contents of load are not acceptable to waste, the resident will pay for disposal at the prevailing fee. All Waivers and Special disposal slips will become null and void. 

Commercial Materials

No commercial materials are allowed. For information about services for commercial haulers, see the Commercial Services page.