Raleigh Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling, Yard Waste & Bulk 2026
Your complete guide to City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services — weekly trash, biweekly recycling and yard waste on alternating weeks, the bulky collection fee starting April 2026, and the Wake County HHW update you need to know about.
City of Raleigh · Solid Waste Services (SWS) · Updated March 2026 · Bulky Load fee effective April 1, 2026 · North Wake HHW fire update included
Find Your Raleigh Collection Day
Select your collection day to instantly see your full schedule — trash, recycling, yard waste, and 2026 holiday impact. Your exact recycling and yard waste weeks require the Raleigh Reuse Tool.
👈 Select your day above to see your complete Raleigh collection schedule.
⚠ Don’t know your day, recycling week, or yard waste week? Use the Raleigh Reuse Web Tool at raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse or the Raleigh Reuse App (iOS/Android). Or call SWS Customer Care at 919-996-3245. See all contact options ↓
Raleigh Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services (SWS) Department provides trash, recycling, and yard waste collection to single-family residential customers within Raleigh city limits. All three services run on the same weekday for your address — Tuesday through Friday only — but on different weeks. SWS bills all solid waste fees (garbage, recycling, yard waste, water, and sewer) together in one monthly utility bill.
Raleigh’s Three-Service Alternating Schedule
Raleigh’s schedule is elegant but specific: all three services — trash, recycling, and yard waste — are collected on the same weekday for your address. Trash is every week. Recycling and yard waste each come every other week, but they alternate with each other: when it’s your recycling week, it is not your yard waste week, and vice versa. This means every week you get trash collection, plus either recycling or yard waste, but never both in the same week.
Dark Cart — Trash
All household garbage, every week. Lid must not be open more than 12 inches. Cart at curb by 6 a.m.
Every weekBlue Cart — Recycling
Single-stream. Every other week on Schedule A or B. Same day as trash. Items loose, clean, empty, dry.
Every other week (A or B)Lime-Green Cart — Yard Waste
Yard debris every other week — on the opposite week from recycling. Same day as trash and recycling.
Every other week (opposite recycling)🟢 Schedule A
Your recycling is collected on certain weeks of the year (shown in green on your Raleigh Reuse calendar). Yard waste is collected on the alternate weeks.
Use the Raleigh Reuse Tool to confirm if you’re on Schedule A.
🔵 Schedule B
Your recycling is collected on the weeks that are Schedule A’s yard waste weeks — and vice versa. The two schedules are mirror opposites.
Use the Raleigh Reuse Tool to confirm if you’re on Schedule B.
⏰ Set-Out Rules — All Three Services
- Place all carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Collection begins at 6 a.m.
- Carts must be within 5 feet of the curb, with handles facing your property (not the street).
- Cart lids must not be open more than 12 inches. If your cart is too full, do not force it.
- SWS will not collect contaminated carts. If wrong materials are found, the cart will be left with a tag explaining why.
- Remove carts from the curb by the end of the collection day. Do not leave carts curbside overnight.
- Do not mix trash or yard waste with recyclables, and do not place recyclables outside the cart (loose bags of recycling next to the cart will not be collected).
Raleigh Holiday Collection Schedule 2026 — Only Thanksgiving
Raleigh Solid Waste Services observes only one holiday that affects curbside collection: Thanksgiving Day. All other holidays — New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, and Christmas Day — are fully normal collection days. This is one of the most permissive holiday schedules of any major US city.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection on schedule. |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Normal | No collection on Monday (Raleigh runs Tue–Fri only). All Tue–Fri routes fully normal. |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection Tue–Fri. |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection Tue–Fri. |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Normal | Falls on Saturday — no weekday impact. Tue–Fri routes fully normal. |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection Tue–Fri. |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection on Wednesday and all other routes. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | 1-Day Delay | No collection on Thursday, Nov 26. Thu routes move to Fri, Nov 27. Fri routes move to Sat, Nov 28. Tue–Wed routes run fully normally that week. |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Normal | SWS works. Full collection on Friday and all other routes. |
Raleigh Recycling — What Goes in the Blue Cart
Raleigh uses single-stream recycling collected every other week in the City-issued blue cart. All items must be placed loose, clean, empty, and dry — never in plastic bags. No recyclables should be placed outside the cart. The lid must not be open more than 12 inches. Contaminated loads (wrong materials) can cause the entire cart to be rejected.
✅ Accepted in the Blue Cart
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, paperback and hardcover books, envelopes, wrapping paper, paper bags
- Cardboard: corrugated boxes (flattened), cereal boxes, paperboard — dry only
- Glass: bottles and jars (all colors) — rinsed
- Metal: food cans (aluminum, steel) — rinsed
- Plastic: bottles and jugs (#1–7) — rinsed
- Cartons: milk, juice, broth cartons
🚫 Never in the Blue Cart
- Plastic bags or plastic film → retail store drop-off
- Styrofoam / polystyrene
- Food, liquids, or food-soiled containers
- Electronics → free curbside e-waste (Tuesdays, must schedule)
- Hazardous materials → Wake County HHW facilities
- Tanglers: cords, hangers, hoses
- Any recyclables in bags of any kind
Raleigh Yard Waste Collection — Plus Weekly Service Starting Fall 2026
Yard waste is currently collected every other week on the same day as trash and recycling, but on the opposite week from recycling. The City of Raleigh City Council has approved weekly yard waste service starting Fall 2026 — which will be a significant improvement for residents. Until that change takes effect, yard waste remains biweekly. Confirm your exact yard waste weeks using the Raleigh Reuse Tool.
🌿 Yard Waste Rules — Three Accepted Formats
Residents may prepare yard waste in any of the following three ways (all are accepted):
- Option 1: Lime-green City-issued yard waste cart — use the City-provided yard waste cart (different from the blue recycling cart — lime-green, labeled “YARD WASTE”). Free; request from SWS.
- Option 2: Biodegradable paper bags — use yard waste paper bags (available free in bundles of 5 at 2550 Operations Way and 222 W. Hargett Street). Additional bags available at hardware, grocery, and big-box stores. Maximum 15 bags per collection, each no more than 25 pounds. No plastic bags of any kind — strictly enforced.
- Option 3: Tied bundles — use natural jute twine to bundle small limbs. Maximum 5 bundles per collection, each no more than 50 pounds. Tree limbs do not need to be tied — simply pile them at the curb.
📅 Yard Waste Expansion — Weekly Service Approved for Fall 2026
The Raleigh City Council has approved expanding yard waste collection from every other week to weekly service, starting in Fall 2026. This will align Raleigh’s yard waste frequency with its already-weekly trash service and make composting more convenient for residents. The exact start date within Fall 2026 will be announced by SWS. Check the Raleigh Reuse Tool and raleighnc.gov/solid-waste-services for official implementation dates.
🍂 Yard Waste Drop-Off Center
For yard waste between your biweekly collection days, or for volumes exceeding the per-collection limits, take materials to the Yard Waste Center at 900 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27610. Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. • Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. There is a tipping fee for all customers at the Yard Waste Center.
Raleigh Bulky & Special Collections — New $35 Fee Starting April 1, 2026
The City of Raleigh offers scheduled collection for large household items that do not fit in garbage carts. Effective April 1, 2026, a $35 fee applies to each Bulky Load Collection — previously this was free. All collections require a phone appointment in advance. Do not place items at the curb before scheduling.
📅 Bulky Load Collection — Rules
- Call 919-996-3245 to schedule. Provide name, address, phone, and description of items.
- One load of up to 4 cubic yards every 90 days per address (approximately the size of two couches or three queen-sized mattresses, or the bed of a standard pickup truck). Items must be safely liftable by two people.
- $35 fee per Bulky Load starting April 1, 2026, billed to your City utility account.
- Place items at the curb on your scheduled collection day only. Items placed before scheduling are subject to City Code fines.
- Cancel by 12:00 p.m. on the business day before your scheduled collection or you forfeit the load and must wait 90 days to reschedule.
- Items must be 5 feet away from mailboxes, light poles, parked cars, and other obstructions.
- Items must be on a main street — no bulk collection from alleys.
- The City does not collect recyclable cardboard in Bulky or Special Loads — flatten and place in your blue recycling cart instead.
✅ Accepted in Bulky Load
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames
- Mattresses and box springs
- Rugs and carpeting
- Non-appliance household items too large for the garbage cart
- Clean, non-recyclable cardboard (that cannot fit in cart)
🚫 Bulky Load Cannot Include
- Appliances (washers, dryers, fridges, stoves) → Special Load Collection ($70)
- Exercise equipment → Special Load
- Excess yard waste → Special Load
- Electronics → free curbside E-waste (Tuesdays only)
- Hazardous materials → Wake County HHW
- Construction debris → private hauler or Wake County facilities
- Recyclable cardboard → blue recycling cart
E-Waste — Free Weekly Curbside Collection, Tuesdays Only
City of Raleigh residents can request free curbside e-waste collection for up to 4 electronic items per week. E-waste collection is available on Tuesdays only, regardless of your regular collection day. You must schedule in advance by calling 919-996-3245.
⚡ Accepted in E-Waste Curbside Collection
E-waste collection accepts specific small household appliances with a cord and electronic devices. Common accepted items include:
- Computers, laptops, tablets, and phones
- TVs and monitors
- Printers and scanners
- Stereo and home theater equipment
- Kitchen appliances with a cord (toasters, blenders, microwaves, coffee makers)
- Power tools
- Items containing Freon (AC units, small refrigerators): must be clearly marked before curbside placement
Use the Raleigh Reuse Tool’s Wizard at raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse to confirm whether a specific item qualifies for e-waste curbside collection.
Wake County Household Hazardous Waste — North Wake Fire Update 2026
Raleigh residents use Wake County Solid Waste Management’s three Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities for safe disposal of chemicals, paints, batteries, and other hazardous items. Important 2026 update: The North Wake HHW Facility suffered a major fire on January 22, 2026 that caused irreparable damage to the main storage building. As a result, the North Wake facility is currently operating in a reduced capacity — Saturday only, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. — at a temporary adjacent facility while recovery is underway.
🚩 North Wake HHW
🔥 FIRE DAMAGE — LIMITED HOURS9037 Deponie Drive, Raleigh 27614
Currently: Saturdays ONLY, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Temporary facility adjacent to the main site. Per state permit: materials must be collected same day (no storage). Check wake.gov for restoration updates.
🚩 South Wake HHW
6150 Old Smithfield Road, Apex 27539
Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Currently operating at full normal hours. Best alternative to North Wake during the fire recovery period.
🚩 East Wake HHW
5051 Wendell Blvd., Wendell 27591
Saturdays & Sundays ONLY, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Weekend-only facility. Farther from central Raleigh but useful for east Wake County residents.
✅ Accepted at Wake County HHW Facilities
- Batteries: household alkaline, lithium primary, button cell (NO lithium car/generator batteries)
- Oil-based paints and stains
- Pesticides, herbicides, and pool chemicals
- Solvents, thinners, and cleaning chemicals
- Fluorescent and CFL bulbs
- Brake fluid and other automotive chemicals (NOT motor oil/antifreeze → Multi-Material Recycling Facilities)
- Latex paint: accepted up to 10 gallons (consolidate cans if bringing more)
Note: Motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, and oil filters are collected at Wake County’s Multi-Material Recycling Facilities, not at HHW sites. Wake County residents only. No business or commercial waste.
Raleigh Needs Assistance Program (NAP) — For Residents Who Cannot Move Carts
The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department offers the Needs Assistance Program (NAP) for residents who have a permanent or temporary disability and live without a non-disabled person in the household who can move carts to the curb. Under NAP, SWS crews will retrieve your garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts from the designated storage location on your property and return them after collection.
📋 How to Apply for NAP
- Submit a completed NAP application to SWS — includes Part B, which requires a healthcare provider’s signature
- Mail to: Solid Waste Services, PO Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602
- Email to: SWSCodeCompliance@raleighnc.gov
- Request a blank application by calling 919-996-3245
- Once approved: carts must be accessible (no fences, gates, steps, loose animals, or terrain obstacles). SWS personnel will not enter enclosed spaces or areas with pets.
What to Do If Your Collection Wasn’t Made in Raleigh
- Confirm your correct collection day and current week type. Use the Raleigh Reuse Tool at raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse to confirm your day and whether it was your recycling week, yard waste week, or neither. After any service disruption, always verify your current week in the Reuse Tool — recycling/yard waste weeks can shift.
- Check for a holiday delay. Only Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26) affects Raleigh collection in 2026. All other holidays are fully normal service days. If Thanksgiving was your collection day, your pickup moved to the next day.
- Verify set-out compliance: cart at curb by 6 a.m.; within 5 feet of curb; handles facing property; lid not open more than 12 inches; no contamination in recycling or yard waste cart.
- If it’s your collection day, leave carts out until 5 p.m. If you reported a miss, SWS allows up to 2 business days for re-collection. Keep carts at the curb from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. while awaiting re-collection.
- Report missed collection online at cityworks.raleighnc.gov/missedcollection or call 919-996-3245 and select SWS. Allow up to 2 business days for re-collection after reporting.
Raleigh Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Raleigh or Just Moved In?
Download the Raleigh Reuse App (iOS/Android) or use the web tool at raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse. Enter your address to confirm your collection day, whether you’re on Schedule A or B, your recycling and yard waste weeks, and get printable calendars and subscription reminders. Note: SWS no longer mails printed calendars — the app is your primary resource. Call 919-996-3245 to request a City-issued blue recycling cart (delivered free) and lime-green yard waste cart. Your solid waste fees are billed through your City utilities account. If you need a bulky load collection from April 1 onwards, budget for the $35 fee.
🚫 5 Mistakes Raleigh Residents Make
- Confusing their recycling week with their yard waste week — they alternate, never the same week; check the Raleigh Reuse Tool
- Using plastic bags for yard waste — only paper biodegradable bags or tied bundles accepted; plastic bags are rejected
- Placing bulky items at the curb before calling 919-996-3245 to schedule — subject to City Code fines; and now there’s also a $35 fee starting April 1
- Expecting Christmas or New Year’s to delay collection — Raleigh works on both; only Thanksgiving creates a delay
- Driving to the North Wake HHW facility without checking current status — fire damage means Saturday-only service as of 2026; South Wake in Apex (Mon–Sat) is now the better option
Contact Raleigh SWS & 919-996-3245
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| SWS Customer Care | 📞 919-996-3245 · 📧 sws@raleighnc.gov — collection day questions, missed pickups, cart requests, bulky/special scheduling, e-waste scheduling, NAP applications, all SWS services |
| Raleigh Reuse Tool & App | raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse · Raleigh Reuse App (iOS & Android) — address lookup, full personalized calendar, Schedule A/B, recycling and yard waste weeks, holiday alerts, What Goes Where |
| Missed Collection Report | cityworks.raleighnc.gov/missedcollection — report a missed pickup online; allow up to 2 business days for re-collection; leave carts at curb 6 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| SWS Department Website | raleighnc.gov/solid-waste-services — all SWS programs, bulky & special collection, e-waste, NAP, fees, news |
| Bulky & Special Collection | raleighnc.gov/bulky-collection — call 919-996-3245 • Bulky Load: $35/load from Apr 1, 2026; once every 90 days; up to 4 cu yd • Special Load: $70/load (appliances, non-landfillable items) |
| Wake County HHW | wake.gov/hhw — North Wake: Saturday only (fire damage); South Wake (Apex): Mon–Sat 8am–4pm; East Wake (Wendell): Sat+Sun 8am–4pm |
| Yard Waste Center | 900 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 · Mon–Fri 7am–3pm, Sat 7am–1pm · Tipping fee applies |
Frequently Asked Questions — Raleigh Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
The Raleigh Reuse Web Tool is the definitive source for your personalized Raleigh collection schedule. Enter your address to see your collection day, Schedule A or B, your exact recycling and yard waste weeks, and all holiday-adjusted dates for 2026. SWS no longer mails printed calendars — the Raleigh Reuse Tool and app are your primary resources.
🔍 Official Raleigh SWS Lookup & Contact
All of the following are free and will confirm your exact collection schedule:
🔍 Open Raleigh Reuse Tool 📞 Call SWS — 919-996-3245| Raleigh Reuse Tool & App | raleighnc.gov/raleigh-reuse — personalized calendar, Schedule A/B, recycling and yard waste weeks, holiday alerts, What Goes Where, subscription reminders. |
| Collection Schedules | raleighnc.gov — Collection Schedules — address lookup, downloadable and printable calendars. |
| SWS Customer Care | 📞 919-996-3245 · sws@raleighnc.gov — all service requests, missed pickups, bulky and special collection scheduling. |
| Missed Collection Report | cityworks.raleighnc.gov/missedcollection — report online; 2-business-day re-collection window. |
| Wake County HHW | wake.gov/hhw — 3 facilities; North Wake Saturday-only (fire); South Wake (Mon–Sat); East Wake (Sat+Sun). |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above.
Trash & Recycling Schedules for Cities Near Raleigh
Looking for waste collection information in another southeastern city? Here are the five closest cities we’ve already covered: