▼

Public Works - Recycling

Show All Answers

1. Can I have two recycling containers?

One container is issued per household in Hampton. Families that find they consistently have a need for a second container can call 311 and ask for one. Public Works will monitor usage and may collect and redeploy the container if it is not used consistently or correctly. 

2. Can I put extra amounts of recyclables out for collection?

No, all recycling material must be inside the container for collection. The larger size should accommodate your household needs.

3. Can I still use the small green bin to put recycling at the curb for collection?

As of November 1, 2001, we no longer use or will service the small green recycling bins, except for a few townhome areas we service. All recycling must be placed inside the new larger gray recycling container for collection. You may keep your old bin for some other use or simply dispose of it in your regular garbage container.

4. How are collections made when my scheduled collection day falls on a holiday?

If your recycling collection is scheduled on a holiday, it will be collected on the Wednesday of that week. All garbage, bulk trash, limbs, yard waste, and tires will also be collected on the Wednesday of that week. The holiday schedule is published in the newspaper and is available to you through the 3-1-1 Customer Call Center.

5. How can I reach your 3-1-1 Customer Call Center?

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week to assist you.

6. What happens if my recycling container is damaged or stolen?

If the container is damaged by the collector or our truck, we will replace it at no cost to you. Other damaged and stolen containers are the resident's responsibility for replacement.

7. What is my recycling collection day?

Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your regular garbage is collected. View a map of the recycling collection.

8. What is the Solid Waste User Fee rate?

As of July 1, 2019, Solid Waste user fee rate is $13.00 per week with a discounted fee of $7.25 per week if a household recycles.  The user fee funds many solid waste services and is collected as part of your water bill every month.

9. What kind of things can I recycle?

The list of items you can put in your household recycling bin is: Metal food and beverage cans, aluminum cans, pie pans, foil; all colors of glass bottles and jars; all kinds of cardboard (single-ply, corrugated, waxed, clean pizza boxes, egg cartons); paper, mail, newspapers & inserts, computer & office paper, magazines, catalogs, brown paper bags, and phone books; all numbered plastic food, beverage and detergent containers; caps and lids (may be attached or unattached, all contents must be emptied). Please flatten cardboard to save space in the container, and make sure all your recyclables are loose in the container and not bagged.

Hampton’s curbside recycling program does not accept any plastic bags for recycling including newspaper plastic bags. However, most area grocery stores have collection bins that accept grocery store style plastic bags for recycling. We recommend you dispose of any plastic bags you cannot drop-off for recycling in your regular garbage.

10. What things are not allowed in my recycling container?

We do not accept food remains of any kind, needles or syringes, styrofoam and plastic bags, paint cans, aerosol cans, coat hangers, light bulbs, window glass, lids from cans or jars, butter tubs or other "oily" containers, baby diapers, microwave food trays, containers marked "poison," and metal cans lined with plastic. There are processing problems with these materials and markets do not exist for recycling some of these items.

Hampton’s curbside recycling program does not accept any plastic bags for recycling including newspaper plastic bags. However, most area grocery stores have collection bins that accept grocery store style plastic bags for recycling. We recommend you dispose of any plastic bags you cannot drop-off for recycling in your regular garbage.

11. When can I put my recycling container out for collection?

All items for collection can be placed curbside as early as 3 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection. You will need to take your recycling and garbage containers off the curb by midnight the day after your scheduled collection day to keep your neighborhood looking good.

12. Where can I recycle old computer monitors, hard-drives, servers, printers, fax machines, or other electronic equipment?

There are several places where you can donate old computers and electronic equipment for recycling in the peninsula area. Contact the 311 Call Center by dialing 3-1-1 inside Hampton or at (757) 727-8311 outside the city limits for information on recycling these items. The call center is available seven days a week to assist you.

13. Where can I take items to recycle if I live in an apartment or do not have city collection service?

You can drop off accepted recycling items at the Yard Waste Site at 98 North Park Lane, 757-727-8311, inside Bethel Landfill. The Tidewater Fibre recycling plant at 5602 Chestnut Avenue will also accept these items between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Their telephone number is 757-247-5766.

14. Who owns my recycling container?

All recycling and garbage containers issued at no charge by the city are the property of the City of Hampton and must remain at their assigned address.

15. Why do I have to keep my paper and cardboard dry for collection?

Recycling markets are buying the paper or the cardboard from collections, not the water in them. All paper and cardboard must be kept dry for collection. The lid on the container is designed to keep the paper dry.

16. Why do I need to provide space between my recycling container and other items out for collection?

Each item is collected by a different vehicle so access to the container is necessary. Putting it too close to other items may result in damage to it or your property.

17. Why do the arrows on the recycling containers have to face the street?

The automated collection truck cannot turn the container around as it picks it up. Dumping the container backwards can break or damage the lid.