Wilmington Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your Wilmington Recycling & Trash Services collection day, biweekly recycling week, yard waste, bulk pickup, and 2026 holiday schedule — by address.
City of Wilmington · Recycling & Trash Services Division · New Hanover County Environmental Management · Updated 2026
Find Your Wilmington Collection Day
All services — trash, yard waste, recycling, bulky items, and electronics — are collected on the same weekday. Select your day below for your full schedule.
👈 Select your day above, or use the official address map to confirm your route.
⚠ Don’t know your day? Use the official Wilmington Trash Route Map or call 910-341-7875. All contacts ↓
Wilmington Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Wilmington Recycling & Trash Services Division serves residential and commercial customers within city limits. All services are included in your regular monthly fee — trash, yard waste, recycling, bulky items, and electronics are all collected on the same day with no additional charge. Service is funded through monthly fees billed by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA).
Wilmington’s One-Day System — All Services on the Same Day
Every residential collection day in Wilmington includes trash, yard waste, recycling, bulky items, and electronics — all on the same weekday. All services are included in your regular monthly fee. There is no additional charge for any of these items. Note that bulky items require an advance appointment, even though they are collected on your regular day.
Trash Cart
35-gal or 95-gal cart (your choice). Automated sideload truck. Handle and wheels facing your house, within 2 ft of curb, 3 ft clearance on all sides. Lid must close fully.
Weekly • All fees includedRecycling Cart — 95 Gallon
Single-stream, biweekly. Free with service. No plastic bags or film. Items rinsed and loose. Check your recycling week with the official calendar.
Every other week • No extra chargeYard Waste
Grass, leaves, twigs, and branches. Curbside weekly on your same trash day. No loose piles — use containers, paper bags, or tie bundles. Contractor debris not collected.
Weekly • Included⏰ Cart Placement Rules (New Automated Trucks)
- Place all carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Times may vary, so always aim to have carts out the night before.
- Cart lid must be fully closed. Handle and wheels face toward your house (away from street) for automated arm collection.
- Cart within 2 feet of the curb or roadside, with at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides (from other carts, vehicles, mailboxes, trees).
- Bring carts back in the same day after collection.
Wilmington Holiday Trash Collection Schedule 2026
The City of Wilmington Recycling & Trash Services Division observes only three holidays in 2026. When a holiday is observed, collection is moved earlier, not later — some routes collect the day before instead of delaying. Check the official 2026 recycling calendar for your specific route’s holiday adjustment.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Early Collection | Collection moves to Wed, Dec 31, 2025 for affected routes |
| MLK Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19 | Normal | Not observed — all routes run as scheduled |
| Presidents’ Day | Mon, Feb 16 | Normal | Not observed — no delay |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Normal | Not observed — all routes run as scheduled |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Normal | Falls on Saturday — no weekday impact. Observed holiday nonetheless. |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Normal | Not observed — all routes run as scheduled |
| Veterans’ Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Normal | Not observed — no delay |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Early Collection | Collection moves to Wed, Nov 25 for affected routes |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Early Collection | Collection moves to Wed, Dec 23 for affected routes |
Wilmington Recycling — What Goes in the Cart
Recycling is collected every other week on your same day as trash. The 95-gallon recycling cart is provided at no extra charge. Use the 2026 Recycling Calendar or the official map tool to confirm your A/B week. Items must be clean, rinsed, and placed loose — no plastic bags.
✅ Accepted in the Recycling Cart
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, paper bags, catalogs
- Flattened cardboard and paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Empty aerosol cans
- Glass bottles and jars (rinsed, lids removed)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers (rinsed, caps left on)
- Cartons: milk, juice, soup, broth (rinsed)
- Paper coffee cups and to-go cups (rinsed)
🚫 Never in the Recycling Cart
- Plastic bags or film → grocery store drop-off
- Styrofoam or bubble wrap
- Food waste → trash cart
- Electronics or batteries → NHC HHW Facility
- Tanglers: hoses, cords, lights
- Ceramics, Pyrex, or mirror glass
- Shredded paper (too small to sort)
Wilmington Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste is collected every week on the same day as your regular trash, at no additional charge. No contractor-generated debris is accepted.
✅ Accepted Yard Waste
- Grass clippings and leaves (in containers or paper bags)
- Twigs, small branches, and garden trimmings
- Tree limbs (bundled and tied, no larger than 4 ft × 6 in diameter)
- Cut flowers and houseplants (without pots)
🚫 Not Accepted as Yard Waste
- Contractor-generated debris — only homeowner-generated yard waste
- Soil, rocks, or dirt
- Plastic bags — use paper bags or rigid containers
- Construction or renovation debris
🎄 Christmas Tree Collection
Christmas trees are collected curbside as part of yard waste service. Remove all decorations, lights, ornaments, and the stand before placing at the curb. Place beside (not inside) your yard waste collection area on your regular collection day.
Wilmington Bulky Item & Electronics Pickup — Appointment Required
Bulky items (appliances, furniture, electronics) are collected at no additional charge as part of your regular service, but require an advance appointment. Collection happens on your regular trash day after scheduling. Electronics pickup via the city is available for Wilmington city limits residents specifically.
📅 How to Schedule Bulky Item Pickup
- Call 910-341-7875 to schedule your appointment. Available Monday through Friday during business hours. Have an itemized list of items ready.
- Place items curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Keep separate from your regular carts.
- Stack items separately by material type: metal, wood, upholstered furniture, and appliances in separate groups where possible.
- For large electronics (TVs, computers, monitors): call 910-341-7875. City of Wilmington residents can also request curbside electronics pickup separately via the NHC HHW facility at 910-798-4400.
✅ Accepted Bulk Items
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, bed frames
- Mattresses and box springs
- Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- Electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, stereos
- Carpets and rugs (rolled and tied)
- Water heaters (drained)
🚫 Not Accepted — Bulk
- Contractor-generated debris or construction material
- Hazardous materials → NHC HHW Facility
- Tires (see NHC landfill, accepts up to 5 per visit)
- Items not on the scheduled appointment list
Household Hazardous Waste — New Hanover County
Household hazardous waste and electronics are handled by New Hanover County Environmental Management at two programs: the permanent HHW Facility and the mobile HazWagon. Both are free to New Hanover County residents. No business or commercial waste accepted.
🚩 NHC HHW Permanent Facility
3002 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
☎ 910-798-4400
Free to all New Hanover County residents. For 10+ large electronics, call ahead for appointment.
🚩 NHC HazWagon (Mobile)
Weekly mobile unit rotating through New Hanover County communities.
Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at each location
Accepts batteries, electronics, fertilizers, and HHW materials.
Also accepts unpackaged food waste for composting.
Visit nhcgov.com/HHW for weekly HazWagon schedule.
✅ Accepted at NHC HHW
- Electronics: TVs, computers, phones, tablets (if has plug or battery)
- All batteries (household, lithium, rechargeable)
- Paint: latex only (solidified latex goes in trash; oil-based accepted)
- Household cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals
- Motor oil and automotive fluids
- CFL bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- Holiday lights
- Hoverboards (product recall items)
- Food waste (unpackaged, for composting)
🚫 Not Accepted at NHC HHW
- Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, AC) → NHC Landfill free
- Solidified latex paint → trash cart (lid off, dried)
- Business or commercial hazardous waste
- Out-of-county residents (permit restrictions)
- “Stripped” TVs or computers (cases removed)
- Radioactive materials or explosives
Pay-As-You-Throw — Save Money with a Smaller Cart
Wilmington’s Recycling & Trash Services operates a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) tiered program. Choosing a smaller trash cart while using the no-charge 95-gallon recycling cart reduces your monthly bill and diverts more material to recycling.
📈 Monthly Service Rates
| 35-gallon trash cart | $25.29/month — best for smaller households; use the free 95-gal recycling cart to supplement |
| 95-gallon trash cart | $31.12/month — standard service for larger households |
| Savings from downsizing | $5.83/month — over $60 annually. All other services (yard waste, recycling, bulk) remain included at no change. |
Call 910-341-7875 to switch cart sizes. Billing is handled by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority at 910-332-6550.
What to Do If Your Collection Was Missed in Wilmington
- Confirm your collection day using the official Wilmington Trash Route Map or call 910-341-7875.
- Check for a holiday schedule change. For New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Wilmington may move collection earlier rather than delaying. Download the 2026 Recycling Calendar for your exact holiday dates.
- Verify cart placement: handle and wheels facing your house, within 2 feet of curb, lid closed, 3 feet of clearance. Items must be out by 6:00 a.m.
- Check your recycling week. Confirm it was your biweekly recycling week using the 2026 calendar or the official map tool.
- Report the missed pickup using the online form at wilmingtonnc.gov (Contact Form) or call 910-341-7875.
Wilmington Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Wilmington or Just Moved In?
To sign up for City of Wilmington trash service, call the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority at 910-332-6550 or the Recycling & Trash Services office at 910-341-7875. Billing is through CFPUA. Service begins when you set up a CFPUA account. Use the official trash route map to confirm your collection day.
🚫 5 Common Mistakes Wilmington Residents Make
- Facing the cart handle toward the street instead of toward the house — the automated arm needs the handle facing away from the road
- Placing items at the curb after 6:00 a.m. — times vary; put carts out the night before
- Forgetting that Thanksgiving and Christmas collection happens earlier (not later) in Wilmington
- Scheduling bulk items without calling 910-341-7875 first — appointment required
- Putting plastic bags in the recycling cart — take them to a grocery store drop-off
🌍 Hurricane Season
Wilmington is regularly impacted by Atlantic hurricanes (typically June–November). During a storm or emergency, collection may be suspended. Check the City’s website at wilmingtonnc.gov or follow the City on Facebook for service announcements.
Contact Wilmington Recycling & Trash Services
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Recycling & Trash Services | 📞 910-341-7875 — missed pickups, bulk appointments, recycling week questions, service issues • 929 N. Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Cape Fear Public Utility Authority | 📞 910-332-6550 — billing, new service setup, account questions |
| Official Trash Route Map | Official ArcGIS Map — address lookup for your trash route and collection day |
| 2026 Recycling Calendar | Download PDF — biweekly recycling schedule and holiday collection dates |
| City of Wilmington Website | wilmingtonnc.gov/Services/Solid-Waste-Services — all solid waste services, FAQs, forms |
| NHC HHW & Electronics | 📞 910-798-4400 • 3002 Hwy 421 North • Mon–Sat 8 AM–3 PM • nhcgov.com/HHW |
| NHC Landfill (large appliances, tires) | 📞 910-798-4400 • Free appliance recycling for county residents • Accepts up to 5 tires per visit |
Frequently Asked Questions — Wilmington Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
The official Wilmington Trash Route Map is the most reliable way to find your collection day by address. The 2026 Recycling Calendar confirms your biweekly schedule and holiday adjustments.
🔍 Official Wilmington Lookup & Contact Options
Use these authoritative sources for address-specific schedule information:
🔍 Open Trash Route Map 📞 Call 910-341-7875| Official Trash Route Map | ArcGIS Map — enter your address to find your exact collection day and route |
| 2026 Recycling Calendar | Download PDF — biweekly A/B week schedule and holiday collection dates for all of 2026 |
| Recycling & Trash Services | 910-341-7875 — missed pickups, bulk scheduling, recycling week questions, cart changes |
| Cape Fear Public Utility Authority | 910-332-6550 — new service, billing, account setup |
| Solid Waste Services Page | wilmingtonnc.gov/Services/Solid-Waste-Services — all programs, FAQs, forms, holiday schedule |
| NHC HHW & Electronics | nhcgov.com/HHW • 910-798-4400 • 3002 Hwy 421 N, Wilmington • Mon–Sat 8 AM–3 PM |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above. The official Wilmington Trash Route Map and 2026 Recycling Calendar are the most complete sources for address-specific schedule information.
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