🌿 Understanding Virginia's landfill bans

Isle of Wight County · Hampton Roads · VA DEQ regulations

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) bans certain materials from landfills to protect groundwater, reduce methane, and encourage recycling. Whether you're a homeowner or contractor in Isle of Wight County, knowing these rules avoids fines and helps the Chesapeake Bay watershed. For professional assistance, Junk removal Hampton roads ensures banned items reach proper facilities. Save our map for drop‑off sites.

Yard waste

Grass, leaves, brush, tree limbs — banned from Virginia landfills since the 1990s. Must be composted or mulched.

Isle of Wight: composting at county site

Electronics

Computers, monitors, TVs contain lead and mercury. VA DEQ bans them from trash. Must go to certified recyclers.

Hampton Roads e-cycling centers

Refrigerant appliances

Fridges, AC units, dehumidifiers — coolants damage ozone. EPA/VA law requires recovery before disposal.

Dominion Energy / county pickup

Why these bans exist

Virginia DEQ regulations (9VAC20-81) target materials that:

🌱 generate harmful leachate or explosive methane (yard waste, tires);
🌱 contain heavy metals that pollute soil and water (electronics, batteries);
🌱 release ozone-depleting substances (refrigerants).

Bans also preserve landfill space and support Virginia’s recycling economy — especially critical in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Isle of Wight & Hampton Roads disposal channels

Yard waste — Isle of Wight Convenience Centers (e.g., Mogarts Beach) accept brush and grass for composting. No plastic bags.
Electronics — Surry County Transfer Station and Best Buy / Staples in Hampton Roads offer recycling. Some charge for TVs.
Refrigerant appliances — Waste Management Suffolk and Isle of Wight County require certified removal. Call ahead for freon recovery.
Contractor loads — Mixed construction debris? Junk removal Hampton roads sorts recyclables on‑site.

Also banned: whole tires & used oil

Virginia prohibits whole tires from landfills (must be shredded or recycled). Many auto shops accept used oil. Check with Isle of Wight Public Works for tire amnesty days.

For a complete list of drop‑off locations in Isle of Wight, Surry, and Suffolk, bookmark our map. Updated with DEQ‑certified recyclers.