Frequently Asked Questions

We accept solid waste from residents and businesses of the cities of Roanoke and Salem, the Town of Vinton and Roanoke County. 

• Find more info about residential services by clicking here.
• Find more info about business/commercial services by clicking here.
• Find more info about how to dispose of household hazardous waste by clicking here.

Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) is now accepting credit cards, (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover), as an alternate form of payment for customers who do not have an established Commercial Credit Account with RVRA. Debit Cards are processed as a credit transaction. This service is only available for card swiped transactions at the RVRA Transfer Station Scale House. We can also establish commercial billing accounts. To begin the process of establishing a commercial billing account, download a Commercial Account Application and Credit Agreement (PDF).

You can register online or by calling (540) 857-5050.

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.

Yes, but only on Household Hazardous Waste Day held on the third Saturday of each month (REGISTRATION REQUIRED).

A maximum of 5 gallons of latex paint may be brought during normal business hours.  Oil-based paint must be brought during our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events, the 3^rd Saturday of each month, and requires registration on our website.

No.  You may visit Camping World for this service.   Good Sam members may dump their RV tanks for free, while non-members are charged $10.00.

Yes, you may bring a boat up to 19 feet long as long as all gas and oil have been drained from the boat.  You will be charged $69.50 per ton.  

Please review our Asbestos Disposal Policy (PDF) for detailed information.

Yes, but you must make prior arrangements and obtain approval.  Instructions can be found on our website under “Asbestos Procedures” by clicking here.

RVRA’s transfer stations may accept empty and fully depressurized fire extinguishers for disposal, consistent with Virginia solid waste regulations. Before bringing an extinguisher to our facilities, please ensure the following: 

• The extinguisher must be completely empty and the pressure gauge must read “0.”
• The discharge handle should be squeezed in a safe outdoor area to confirm all contents and propellant are released.
• The nozzle should be removed, if possible, to verify the cylinder is fully depressurized.
• Pressurized or partially full extinguishers cannot be accepted and should be taken to a certified fire equipment service company for proper venting or recycling.
• Specialty extinguishers (e.g., Halon, CO₂, Class K) may require alternative disposal methods and should not be brought to a transfer station unless empty and approved in advance.

Yes, and it will count as one of your 12 free trips.  If you have used your 12 free trips, you will be charged $69.50 per ton.

No.   Because of the invasive nature of bamboo, we do not accept it.  

Shredded paper, in recyclable bags,  is accepted at our community drop-off center at Tinker Creek Transfer Station anytime during normal working hours.  We have containers for office paper, cardboard, aluminum etc. that can be accessed from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday.

Yes, provided that the waste is from:

• City of Roanoke
• City of Salem
• County of Roanoke
• Town of Vinton

Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) is now accepting credit cards, (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover), as an alternate form of payment for customers who do not have an established Commercial Credit Account with RVRA. Debit Cards are processed as a credit transaction. This service is only available for card swiped transactions at the RVRA Transfer Station Scale House. We can also establish commercial billing accounts. To begin the process of establishing a commercial billing account, download a Commercial Account Application and Credit Agreement (PDF).

No. We do not accept liquids.

No. And FYI....the recycling areas at our transfer stations are located in an area that might be a tight squeeze if you have a large vehicle. Plan accordingly.