Department of Solid Waste

Due to market conditions, recycling at County Convenience Stations will be terminated, until further notice.

Washington County Solid Waste Transfer Station, 14579 Industrial Park Road Bristol VA, 24202

The County Department of Solid Waste oversees the operation of the County’s solid waste disposal operations, facilities and equipment. Presently the Department collects solid waste through a series of Manned Solid Waste Convenience Stations (MCS) located strategically throughout the County and exports the collected waste for disposal out-of-state via the County’s Solid Waste Transfer Station. The Department itself offers no curbside collection services; such services may be contracted for through private waste collection and transportation companies.

Holiday Schedule 2019 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Director of Solid Waste

Allen Morris

Phone: (276) 623-1044 or (276) 669-1868
Email:
Fax: (276) 669-8758
Office Hours: Weekdays 8:00am – 4:00pm

Solid Waste Management Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I dispose of my solid waste in Washington County?

Washington County maintains fourteen permanent Manned Solid Waste Convenience Stations (MCS) Countywide at the following locations:

  • Benhams Community MCS – 20498 Haskell Station Road (State Route 658)
  • Damascus Area MCS – 30077 Drowning Ford Road (State Route 1230)
  • Valley Institute Area MCS – 5168 Gate City Highway (U.S. Highway 58)Glade Spring Area MCS –
  • 9528 Old Mill Road (State Route 750)
  • Green Cove Community MCS – 41074 Green Cove Road (State Route 600)
  • Green Spring Community MCS- 21635 Spoon Gap Road (State Route 670)
  • Hayter’s Gap Community MCS- 25345 North Fork River Road (State Route 611)
  • Konnarock Community MCS- 315 Laurel Valley Road (State Route 803 in Smyth County)
  • Abingdon Area (Old Landfill/Animal Shelter)MCS – 27263 Porter Lane (off of State Route 705-Watauga Road)
  • Lodi Community MCS – 17201 Liberty Hall Drive (State Route 803)
  • Mendota Community MCS- 4071 Mendota Road (State Route 802)
  • Mud Hollow Area MCS- 15625 Hearst Road (State Route 654)
  • Greendale Community MCS- 11450 Porterfield Highway (U.S. Highway 19)
  • Tumbling Creek Area MCS – 30608 Poor Valley Road (State Route 613)

An unmanned open-top container for solid waste collection only (no recyclables) is located within the Taylors Valley Community on Tuesdays only.

What are the hours for the Manned Solid Waste Convenience Stations?

Please see the following chart for the operation hours of a solid waste facility in your area. Click Here for schedules.

Does the County Department of Solid Waste close on all observed holidays?

The Department’s MCS facilities and Transfer Station do not close for all observed holidays; please click here for a list of holidays.

Who may dispose of solid waste at the Washington County Solid Waste Transfer Station?

The Transfer Station is limited to use by County-permitted private waste haulers, public solid waste collection operations and demolition and construction debris removal contractors. Please contact the Department of Solid Waste for more information.

What are the disposing fees at the Washington County Solid Waste Transfer Station?

The disposal fee for solid waste originated from sources within Washington County is $35.00 per ton. The disposal fee for solid waste originated from sources outside Washington County is $38.00 per ton. The disposal fee for tires is $115.00 per ton.

Can I take old paint cans to the MCS facilities for disposal?

MCS facilities accept old paint cans if they are water-based paints; the Department of Solid Waste does not accept oil- or lead-based paint for disposal.

Where can I dispose of tires?

All facilities accept tires no larger than 24.5 inches at $1.00 per tire up to a maximum of eight (8) tires per person/per week. Persons with more than eight (8) tires will be diverted to the Transfer Station where they are charged by tire weight.

Do the MCS facilities accept gasoline tanks and motor oil?

MCS facilities do not accept gasoline tanks. Each facility has an oil tank for used motor oil or cooking oil only.

Where can I take my recyclables?

Each MCS facility has a recycling box for paper, plastic, and aluminum cans.

Where can I take brush, tree trimmings, concrete blocks or brick?

The Abingdon Area MCS is the only facility that accepts brush and tree trimmings limited to no larger than six (6) inches in diameter and lengths no longer than four (4) feet. Brush and tree trimmings must be clean NO TRASH.

  • Masonry blocks and brick must be broken into eighteen (18) inch squares or smaller.
  • NO TRASH OR METAL can be mixed in with block or brick.

Can I take large items and appliances to MCS facilities?

All MCS facilities accept large household items, scrap metal and small- to medium-size appliances. Appliances and equipment utilizing refrigerant gas (i.e., refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning units) will be accepted only if the compressor is removed and the refrigerant gas extracted from the unit. Effective October 1, 2003, the Abingdon Area MCS will accept refrigerant-bearing household appliances for disposal for a Refrigerant Extraction Fee of $20.00 per appliance (no commercial or industrial appliances or equipment will be accepted).

Which companies may collect and transport solid waste in Washington County?

The Washington County Board of Supervisors annually issues or renews permits to collect and transport solid waste within the County. The following companies are currently permitted in Washington County:

  • Waste Management of the Tri-Cities, Inc.,1010 Sam Walton Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663
  • Browning-Ferris Industries of Tennessee, Inc. (BFI), 2825 Carters Valley Road, Church Hill, TN 37642
  • Southwest Sanitation Co., Inc., Route 6, Box 88, Tazewell, VA 24651
  • MXI Environmental Services, 26319 Old Trial Road, Abingdon, VA 24210E
  • Luke Green Company, Inc., 619 East Maple Street, Johnson City, TN 37601
  • Hayden Excavating Company and Roll-Off, P.O. Box 1087, Saltville, VA 24370
  • R.W. Edwards Company, P.O. Box 3344, Bristol, TN 37625

Where can I recycle in Washington County?

Washington County maintains fourteen permanent Manned Solid Waste Convenience Stations (MCS) Countywide at the following locations:

  • Benhams Community MCS – 20498 Haskell Station Road (State Route 658)Damascus Area MCS – 30077 Drowning Ford Road (State Route 1230)
  • Valley Institute Area MCS – 5168 Gate City Highway (U.S. Highway 58)
  • Glade Spring Area MCS – 9528 Old Mill Road (State Route 750)Green Cove Community MCS – 41074
  • Green Cove Road (State Route 600)
  • Green Spring Community MCS- 21635 Spoon Gap Road (State Route 670)Hayter’s Gap Community MCS-
  • 25345 North Fork River Road (State Route 611)
  • Konnarock Community MCS- 315 Laurel Valley Road (State Route 803 in Smyth County)
  • Abingdon Area (Old Landfill/Animal Shelter)
  • MCS – 27263 Porter Lane (off of State Route 705-Watauga Road)
  • Lodi Community MCS – 17201 Liberty Hall Drive (State Route 803)
  • Mendota Community MCS- 4071 Mendota Road (State Route 802)
  • Mud Hollow Area MCS- 15625 Hearst Road (State Route 654)
  • Greendale Community MCS- 11450 Porterfield Highway (U.S. Highway 19)
  • Tumbling Creek Area MCS – 30608 Poor Valley Road (State Route 613)

An unmanned open-top container for solid waste collection only (no recyclables) is located within the Taylors Valley Community on Tuesdays only.

What materials can I recycle in Washington County?

Newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic milk jugs, plastic soft drink bottles, and used motor oil at all MCS facilities.

Are inoperative or junk cars regulated in Washington County?

A property owner may only store two inoperative motor vehicles on any parcel of land in Washington County (exceptions to this are permitted uses such as repair shops). Such inoperative vehicles must be stored in the rear of the property and under cover (at minimum covered by a opaque tarp).

How should I report someone who has junk vehicles?

Provide the name and mailing address of the person with the vehicles to the County Department of Zoning Administration