Recycling:  It is very easy to drop off recyclable items in my area; however, dumpster diving is not.  Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax County, and Prince William County make it very difficult to dumpster dive.  Signs are posted that the recycle area is for drop off only, sometimes guards are stationed, and the recycle centers actually smell like rotting garbage.  Loudoun County totally different experience.  Most of recycle sites are neat, clean, accessible,  trash is clearly marked, and people abide by the rules.

Why dumpster dive?  Well it is not actually dumpster diving as you stand and look in a large door or items of interest.  Never once does one get in a dumpster.  The recent government shutdown has once again reinforced the necessity to economize and coupon.  I get a great deal on 4 Sunday newspapers but sometimes you just need more coupons for hot deals and stockpiles.  Buying extra papers is very expensive.  It defeats the notion of trying to save money.  In addition, Coke Codes, Kelloggs Codes, and BTFE are difficult to accumulate if you don't have another source to obtain these items.  Dumpster diving can help in all these areas:  extra inserts, coke codes, kelloggs codes, BTFE, etc.

Earlier this month I went to Recycling Centers in Philomont, Sterling Park, and Arcola.  Sterling Park is the largest.  Arcola and Philomont have one dumpster for paper and another for bottles/cans.  I give both a thumbs up.  My husband had appointments out there so I tagged along.  However, to drive from my house to one recycle center in Loudoun is not worth my time or gas money.

So for the past month I have been dying to try to hit all the recycling centers in Loudoun to see 1) is it worth it to come back out again 2) which centers are best (and worst).  Today was the day for that test.  I am not that familiar with all of Loudoun so it truly was a test.  I decided to start in Lucketts and move counter clockwise to the various recycling centers.

I left the house at 6am.  On my way to Lucketts I realized I passed the Leesburg-Walmart one.  So I actually started there.  I was too early.  It was still dark.  So I waited another 30 minutes in the car for daylight.  Sunday is a very busy day at the all recycling centers.

Leesburg- Walmart:  Don't bother going.  They have one bin that mixes bottles with paper.  Beer bottle goop was over all the papers items.  The dumpster is one for bottles/cans so it makes even looking in difficult, especially when one is vertically challenged.   I won't waste my time in the future with this one

Lucketts:  Don't bother going.  This recycle center is located at an elementary school.  The school uses it as their personal dumping/trash can.  It does not appear to have any outside support for recycling.

Lovettesville:  Great place.  Several bins.  It is located behind a mom and pop restaurant.  Very busy on a Sunday Morning.  I would definitely return

Hillsboro:  Also located at an elementary school.  This one has community support.  It is only one bin but the community meticulously places bottles/cans at the far end and paper items on the near end.  Very cute little community

Hamilton:  Jackpot!  Several bins.  Extremely active.  I was not the only one dumpster diving here.

Philomont:  It is so pretty out in this part of the county.  3 bins: one for newspaper, one for paper, and one for bottles/cans.

Middleburg:  One bin for paper and one for bottles/cans.  I hit Coke Code paydirt out here.  There must have been a Homecoming Dance or after football party because it looked like the cokes boxes and cases were recently emptied and in pristine condition which makes me think someone bought them in bulk for a party.  People who drop off recyclable here are dressed to the nines.  They are ready for a cocktail party or horse back riding.

I never did make it the main Leeburg recycle center.  I imagine it  is busy with lots of bins with several other people dumpster diving.  

Loudoun dumpster diving is something I will probably start doing once a month.  The drive was relaxing.  Scenery is gorgeous. Plus I end up with lots of great stuff ( coupons, codes, etc).

This ace reporter is out ;-)