Fairfax County Recycling and Disposal Center in
Lorton (VA)

The place itself is great. The staff all contradict each other and make you waste time. If you go on SUNDAY, it has to be a personal vehicle and only household items. This instance, it was personal trash but in my company vehicle. Neela was extremely rude and just flat out said her co workers don't know what they are doing. But wasted time and fuel is my loss....

Hazard waste drop off is onlybopenb2 days a week. This info is not posted at the site, only that it is closed.

I didn’t think I’d ever be writing a review for a landfill, but the staff here are wonderful. I’ve been here 3 times in the last 2 years. Starting from the individual who greets you at the booth for payment, every person we’ve met has been kind, patient, and clear with instruction. Next, the individual who greets you at the appropriate lot provides the same friendly interaction. Lastly, when we exit, on 2 occasions a staff member has waved bye to us—perhaps a silly thing to mention, but it feels like a cherry on top of an already great beginning to end experience. The absolute cost is cheap—our most recent visit was ~$27 for ~10 bags of trash. On the other hand, the relative cost is quite pricey—it’s high when considering the taxes paid in Fairfax county, in addition to the opportunity cost of illegal dumping, which would effectively save someone tens of dollars depending on what’s being disposed. I’m curious how much illegal dumping would be reduced if it was cheaper to use the landfill. I’ve encountered many illegally dumped furniture in the woods—it’s an eyesore. It really takes each individual and business in this area to make the lawfully and ethically correct decision to help create a clean environment that everyone can enjoy. After all is said and done, I appreciate having access to a well-run landfill.

I dont recomend this Place, too expensive, this Place charged me 27 dollars for only 2 piece of furniture thats why People Drops their trash on streets

Nice staff, not so bad prices, they should tell you about the size. Limitations on Sunday, when you first time u weight in, i learned the hard way this sunday?

Used their weight scale for a military move. I’d only used CAT scales before so didn’t know what to expect, but this was even easier - just drive straight onto the scale, no need to go into an office. Went on a Sunday morning and there was no line. Oh, and it’s free.

Prices just keep going up, it's getting pretty expensive for an individual just to make a small dump run these days. I guess all the taxes we pay in Fairfax County don't support the local landfills? No wonder people dump trash and other items where they shouldn't with the current pricing they certainly aren't encouraging people to use the landfill for anything other than recycling which is free.

Monthly trash service from most local companies is around $45 but if you miss trash day and take your own trash can to dump you get charged $31. No wonder so many people dump trash on the side of the road, when the Co charges it's tax payers more money to get rid of their own trash then it cost to pay a company to do it there's a problem in the system structure and if the higher ups can't see this as a problem then we need to stop electing and letting them become hired for the way over paid jobs they have because obviously they aren't there for the best interest of the public and people that live in Fairfax co.

An unpleasant experience at this facility and a waste of time. Upon arriving at the weigh station, we were told by the staff member that we needed to bag up our cardboard, which we agreed to do. However, she abruptly stated, “No, we will not let you in. You can go to I-66 if you want.” This kind of treatment is unacceptable at a disposal center, where the expectation should be to facilitate waste disposal, not make it more difficult. I do not recommend this facility to anyone.

What a change from a year or two ago. They had three people inspecting the household trash I was dumping and were asking me questions. They were doing this for everyone else, too. What a nanny state.... It wasn't cheap either. $40 for several hundred pounds of sundry household trash. They wouldn't let me dump an old flat screen TV on Sunday. I had to take that back. Leave Fairfax County, its government sucks! Now I know why people dump trash on the roadside. Fairfax is unreasonable with their policies.

This landfill is REALLY REALLY exceptionally bad. I visited after moving from Prince William County, VA, and quickly realized how good I used to have it. First, I was surprised that one of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the entire nation actually charges its residents to use landfills. That fact alone already had a bad taste in my mouth. Second, the place is poorly organized, and because of it, additional staff and heavy duty equipment are required to makeup for what could be done by simple dumpsters and (clears throat) actual signage. For instance, upon entering Lot B (household goods, antifreeze & motor oil disposal), I was greeted by a gateworker who asked what I was disposing of. Once I told him, he proceeds to point me in the direction of the various stations that I could use, and his delivery was not much different than that of the proverbial small town gas station attendant in the South. He basically said "oh, motor oil, yeah why don't cha' go on yonder over there by the yellow dumpster. Household goods? Yeah, pull on over on the other side of the brick wall by that loader and just back on in." HUH??? By any chance could you all use some of the revenue from the monumental prices you charge residents to dump their goods to put up signs that label the various stations? It could probably like....replace this attendant and save we taxpayers some money. Third, the process for dumping households was just an embarrassment. There are no dumpsters, you basically just dump it on the ground, while a heavy equipment operator uses a picker to make no fewer than 100 passes to pickup the debris, all while simultaneously honking and yelling instructions at you. They sure can be a picky bunch too. "Sir, can you drop it a bit to the left so it's grouped with the rest of the pile? It'll make it easier." Sure buddy, not a problem. And should you happen to not initially realize he's honking and talking to you, oh don't worry, there's always 2-3 of his co-workers standing by idly just waiting to join a chorus of shouts to ensure you heard what their co-worker was saying. Fourth, you must pass through the weight scale a second time so the net weight of your vehicle can be measured, which then determines your fee. One might think the exit scale would be located...ya know...by the actual exit, but oh no, you must go back to the entrance, pay your fee, exit the scale, then make a U-Turn to pass the scales again and exit the compound. And they must actually import their staff from the recesses of backcountry West Virginia because nobody bothers to explain this maze to you. But if you make a wrong turn, WATCH OUT, you may have an androgenous, dentally challenged trailer park queen barking at you that you need to double back and pay. In short, well done Fairfax County, well done.

We’ve used this facility for years. Always friendly staff. Quick weight in and directions where to dump. Nice that they take recycling too and oil. Also hazard materials and electronics. Only wish they had a paper shred area. Otherwise can take pretty much everything else.

I've been here several times and never had an issue! They've taken old paint cans, chemicals, scrap metals, and yard waste. A couple times I had so little in my car they didn't charge me for dropping anything off. The staff has always been professional and helpful whether they be at the entry point or the staff on hand at the various stations.

Today is my first visit here. I was a bit worried because of the one star reviews, but I had a good experience. I needed help from three different workers and all three were helpful and courteous. I paid eight dollars to dispose of an old ice maker and that seemed reasonable as well.

Staff is informative when questions are asked. Went there to throw trash and recycling (literally flattened cardboard boxes). I was told there is no recycling. “Put it with the trash” was the response. Also had yard waste in biodegradable plastic bags. I was told I couldn’t toss them in plastic bags. I asked if I could take them out of the bags to put it with yard waste. Meanwhile, here’s a truck full of yard waste dumping the loose waste in the pile. Nope. It’s in a plastic bag. To the trash it goes. Doesn’t make any sense… Fairfax county disposal program really wins it for the environment.

Friendly staff, they run people through the scales pretty quickly. Usually if there's a slowdown it's because of customers not knowing how a dump works and not the scale staff. I frequently take advantage of the free wood mulch and leaf mulch which is of acceptable quality, especially for the price. Another reason I visit is to dispose of construction/remodeling trash. It's good to know in advance that they prefer items to be separated. They have a pile for burnable debris and a separate pile for non-combustibles such as drywall, tile, etcetera. Most people ignore the rules and just dump everything in one pile. Don't be most people.

I would give this place a 0 if I could. We arrived 10 minutes before the advertised closed time. We were met with a security guard asking us what were doing and that they were closed. When I tried to tell him we had over 10mins before 5 pm he said, "They told me to just close the gate." I wasted over 45 mins of total driving time just to be turned away because they just felt like closing early.

The website are not clear. Says open weekends but did not say strict only on resident on Sunday only?! The lady at scale have communication challenges. Don’t have friendly to work with. She shut the window without any explanations!!! The waiting line are extremely long and very slow. Worse service for waste management!

Trash galore! If you're looking for trash, you can find it here. Efficient and friendly county employees.

This place was excellent. We got our Van weighed before we dumped, we dumped approximately 420lbs of Yard waste (leaves, dirt, mulch, rocks, etc). We then reweighed our van and only had to pay $20. Took about 35 minutes due to so many others dumping as well. Not bad at all.

Giving them a 1 as 0 isn't an option. Today I scrambled to get to the transfer station so that I could pick up some mulch. Arrived 13 minutes before they closed. Helped the gentleman in front of me to load his truck at the self load machine. Pulled up and started to load my trailer and the machine ran empty. An employee drove by in a Bobcat and I asked if he could top the machine off and he said to give them a few. At 4:03, a grumpy old man told me that they weren't going to top the machine off as it was past close, and that I should have gotten there earlier. Wrong, I was there on time. Terrible customer service. At most it would have taken 2 minutes to top off the hopper. I can only hope that he gets the same poor customer service that he gives. Management should really look at clearing house and starting new with some employees who understand the basics of customer service, and who appreciate having a job.

I've used this center for disposal of household and construction waste, used oil, recycling, and electronic waste for many years. The center's layout is confusing at first, but once you get familiar with it it's fairly easy to get where you need to be. The first reason I didn't give a higher score is that there is always a long line at the weigh station whenever I go. Be sure to budget extra time in your trip for waiting in line. The second reason is that there is often a large front loader driving around in the house and construction waste area and the loader never has a spotter to ensure he doesn't run anyone over. This is a basic safety rule in construction for good reason and I wish they would do more to protect the public from this hazard.

Staff is not helpful, i had to line up for 45 min, when I got there they told me that after dumping 20 wooden pallets I had to line up again but now for 1 hour to weight my van again.Only one boot open (she told me “ this is lunch break so you need to wait longer”) with the most ignorant and useless person I ever met. Use your brain put a scale to go in and a scale to go out, help people recycling don’t penalize them. On top of this you have to pay, never again.If you have time to “WASTE” come at Fairfax county Recycling.

Once you get over the signage issues, good place to get free mulch, leaf and wood chip mulch. Call ahead to check availability. There's an auto-feeder that can drop mulch into a truck bed. No charge if you are bringing metal items to dispose, but for other trash they'll weigh you vehicle, and if you're looking to save moving disposing of junk, this is the way to do it, assuming you have the right vehicle.

A couple challenges at this place: 1. Absolutely no signs telling you where to drop off. Hint: after you go over the scales and they check your driver's license you have to turn left. 2. After you drop off you can easily follow the exit signs which lead you out....but don't do this as you have to go back to the original entry and PAY for your drop off load. Rate is .24 cents per pound. The reason I'm still rating this as a "3" is because the attendant at the scales was very nice and professional. They just need to do better traffic handling!

Pls read... once you drive in, a sign says no right turn though its located on the right. If you obey and go straight, there are "no U turn" signs. TIP: You have to go down a lot more and make a right into a School Bus Parking area that seems like it was prior Lorton jail parking. When you leave, do the SAME THING! There is a no-left turn sign as you leave! As I pulled up one day the police had one car pulled over and after being in line about 15 minutes, 1 of the police cars came and pulled the car in front of me out of line. All I can think of was that both cars disobeyed those signs somehow. On another occasion I counted 35 cars in front of me.(7/25/17= this will improve once they finish construction of the "exit scale" but im not sure when that will be , im guessing 2 months maximum) TIP FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: 1)if they already have your vehicle registered and you have the option to prepay, USE IT, so you dont have to get back in line after you finish. 2) if its your 1st time have registration, copy of insurance and your driver license so you can register. Commercial vehicles have to register so its best to do have those ready and hand it to them the 1st time. *staff= extremely friendly 9 times out of 10. (Compared to most elsewhere that id rate a 5 out of 10)

I had an old TV and a couple of old computers to recycle. As I was loading up, a couple of neighbors decided they had stuff too and the next thing I knew I had 22 pieces of old electronics. I've been to this place before and my experience has been that the people at the entrance are usually really nice but they aren't overly friendly there once you get past the gate. There was a woman in front of me at the electronics table struggling with a heavy, old TV so I got out and helped her since no one that worked there seemed to be around. She thanked me and left. I pulled up and started unloading. When I got almost done some guy comes out of the little white booth that is right next to the tables. He must have seen the woman! He told me I could only leave 10 things and made me put 12 things back in my van! He said I could come back tomorrow with 10 more then the next day with the last 2. Really? I asked. He just shrugged and said those were the rules and he had to enforce them. I drove to the I66 facility where lots of people were unloading lots of electronics with the help of friendly county employees. The I66 facility is further for me to go but that is where I go with yard waste and everything else now. I'm not sure what's wrong at Lorton but with the exception of the people you pay at the gate, everyone seems really put out that you're there at all and seem to get really annoyed if you ask a question.