City of Staunton
Home MenuLess to the Landfill - Waste Diversion
Why it Matters
Every bag of trash we throw away carries a direct financial and environmental cost. Regional landfill space is an increasingly rare and valuable resource, and under our current agreement, Staunton’s share of the landfill's capital costs is dictated entirely by the percentage of total tonnage we send there. Simply put: the heavier our trash trucks are, the more our city pays.
By working together to divert heavy, everyday waste through recycling, composting, and donating, we can preserve precious landfill space, control rising disposal fees, and keep our community's dollars focused on Staunton.
Landfill Reduction Scoreboard
Our Goal: Reduce total trash sent to the landfill by 5% in 2026.
(City & Resident Waste)
Year-to-Date (Jan–May)
↑ Up 16.2 Tons. We have work to do!
Recent Win: May Tonnage
↓ Down 44.4 Tons (4.8% Drop!)
Food Waste Drop-Off: Pilot Composting Program
For years, local non-profit Shenandoah Green has led the way by sponsoring community compost bins at the Staunton Recycling Center during limited hours. Building on their incredible success and a clear public desire for expanded access, the city is taking the next step!
The City of Staunton has now partnered with Black Bear Composting to offer an expanded, free food scrap drop-off program for residents. Bins are located at the Staunton Recycling Center and are available for use anytime the Recycling Center is open. By keeping heavy food waste out of our trash bins, we can reduce our landfill costs and create nutrient-rich compost.
Compostables can be dumped directly from another container or placed in a paper bag or BPI-certified compostable “plastic” bag. Just be aware, some manufacturers bags are green and labeled as biodegradable, but aren’t really intended for compost.
YES: Obvious Food Waste
- Fruits and vegetable scraps (including peels and pits)
- Coffee grounds, paper filters, and tea bags (remove staples)
- Eggshells and dairy products
- Bread, pasta, rice, and grains
- Cooked and raw foods, including meat and bones
NO: Stays Out of the Bin
- NO PLASTIC BAGS: Do not bag your scraps in plastic grocery or trash bags.
- NO "COMPOSTABLE" PLASTICS: Throw compostable cups/utensils in the regular trash for now.
- NO YARD WASTE: Grass and leaves belong in the separate yard waste collection.
- NO PET WASTE: No cat litter or animal waste.
- NO GREASE OR OIL: Liquid fats and cooking oils are not accepted.
When in doubt, throw it out!
Give it a Second Life
Before throwing an item in the trash, ask yourself: Can this be reused, repaired, or donated first? Keeping good items out of the landfill preserves valuable space and helps our community.
Donate & Consign
- Local Thrift Stores & Non-Profits Many local organizations accept gently used clothing, books, and small household goods. Look for donation bins or local storefronts throughout Staunton.
- Schedule a Free Pick-Up Need to get rid of large furniture or working appliances? Several local charities will actually come to your house and pick them up for free. A quick web search for "Staunton donation pick up" will highlight several active organizations.
Repurpose & Repair
- Repair Before Replacing Often, fixing a broken item is cheaper and more rewarding than buying a new one. Consider local repair shops or DIY fixes for electronics, clothing, and furniture before tossing them out.
- Give it a Second Life Give everyday items a new purpose around the house. Old clothing can become cleaning rags, glass jars make excellent storage, and broken furniture can often be upcycled.
Recycling - What's Accepted?
Learn More on the Recycling Page
The Recycling Center is located at Public Works: 1911 Craigmont Rd.
No: Plastic bags.
Hint: Look for lines/ridges.
No: Greasy pizza boxes, wax-coated boxes, or paperboard (like cereal boxes).
No: Tissues, paper towels, or metallic wrapping paper.
No: Aerosol cans.
No: Metallic pouches (tuna fish, Capri Sun, etc.) or Aluminum.
No: Lightbulbs.
Monthly Yard Waste Collection
Yard debris like grass clippings, leaves, and branches add unnecessary weight and expense to our daily trash collection. Disposing of yard waste in the regular trash takes up valuable space and costs the city more at the landfill.
Residents can enroll in the Yard Waste Collection program to receive a dedicated 95-gallon container (with a beige lid). Collected once a month, this material is taken directly to a separate brush pile—diverting it from landfill totals, directly supporting our community's waste reduction goal!