New Year's Day Trash Schedule 2026 – Is Garbage Picked Up?

Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by Fran A., Editor-in-Chief

New Year’s Day is the first federal holiday of the year — and for millions of households, it’s also the first trash schedule confusion of the year. After a busy holiday season full of wrapping paper, food waste, boxes, and bottles, the last thing you want is to miss your first pickup of 2026.

In 2026, New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, January 1. That mid-week placement means the holiday disrupts fewer routes than a Monday holiday — but Thursday and Friday households are directly affected in cities that observe it.

This guide tells you exactly what happens to garbage collection on and around New Year’s Day 2026, city by city.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

Garbage collection schedules are set locally by your city government or private waste hauler — not at the federal level. The information below reflects general publicly stated policies as of mid-2026.

Always verify your specific pickup day at your city’s official sanitation website or by calling 311 before the holiday.

New Year’s Day 2026 – Key Facts

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Federal holiday: Yes
Day of week: Thursday
Routes most affected if observed: Thursday and Friday only

Because New Year’s Day 2026 falls on a Thursday — not a Monday — the impact is more contained than a Labor Day or Memorial Day. In cities using the full-week one-day delay system, only Thursday and Friday routes are pushed back. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes run on their normal schedule that week.

Key insight: New Year’s Day is one of the most universally observed holidays for sanitation across U.S. cities — comparable to Thanksgiving and Christmas. But because it falls on a Thursday in 2026, only Thursday and Friday households need to adjust their schedule. If your pickup is Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, your collection is almost certainly unaffected.

How a Thursday New Year’s Day Affects Your Week

For cities using the full-week one-day delay system, here is exactly what New Year’s week looks like in 2026:

Day	Regular Route	New Year’s Week (if observed)
Monday, Dec 29	Monday pickup	✅ Runs normally
Tuesday, Dec 30	Tuesday pickup	✅ Runs normally
Wednesday, Dec 31	Wednesday pickup	✅ Runs normally
Thursday, Jan 1	New Year’s Day	❌ Suspended (if observed)
Friday, Jan 2	Friday pickup	⚠️ Delayed to Saturday Jan 3

Note: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes the week of January 1 are not affected — even in cities that observe New Year’s Day with a full-week delay.

In cities that do NOT observe New Year’s Day: Every route runs on its normal schedule with no changes — though this is rare for New Year’s Day.

New Year’s Day Trash Schedule 2026 – City by City

New York City, NY

Provider: NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

DSNY observes all 11 federal holidays, including New Year’s Day. Thursday January 1 routes are fully suspended. Friday routes are delayed to Saturday January 3. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes are unaffected.

Where to verify: nyc.gov/sanitation or NYC 311 app

Los Angeles, CA

Provider: LA Sanitation (LASAN) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

LASAN observes New Year’s Day as one of its six core holidays. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Monday through Wednesday run normally.

Where to verify: lacitysan.org or MyLA311 app

Chicago, IL

Provider: City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Chicago observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Blue cart recycling and brown cart organics follow the same delay. Monday through Wednesday run normally.

Where to verify: chicago.gov/streets or CHI311 app

Houston, TX

Provider: City of Houston Solid Waste Management Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Houston observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. If your area uses a private contractor, verify directly — most major contractors also observe New Year’s Day.

Where to verify: houstonsolidwaste.org

Phoenix, AZ

Provider: City of Phoenix Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Phoenix observes New Year’s Day as one of its seven official sanitation holidays. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: phoenix.gov/publicworks

Philadelphia, PA

Provider: Philadelphia Streets Department Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Philadelphia observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Monday through Wednesday run normally.

Where to verify: phila.gov/streets

San Antonio, TX

Provider: City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

San Antonio observes New Year’s Day as one of its six core sanitation holidays. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: sanantonio.gov/swmd

San Diego, CA

Provider: City of San Diego Environmental Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

San Diego observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Use the city’s My Route tool to confirm your specific pickup day.

Where to verify: sandiego.gov/environmental-services

Dallas, TX

Provider: City of Dallas Sanitation Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Dallas observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: dallascitdallascityhall.com/sanitationyhall.com/sanitation

Jacksonville, FL

Provider: City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Jacksonville observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: coj.net/solid-waste

Austin, TX

Provider: Austin Resource Recovery Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Austin observes New Year’s Day. Routes scheduled for Thursday January 1 are rescheduled to Saturday January 3. Friday routes run on their normal schedule — Austin uses the holiday-day-only system, not a full-week delay.

Where to verify: austintexas.gov/arr

Fort Worth, TX

Provider: City of Fort Worth Environmental Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Fort Worth observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: fortworthtexas.gov/environmental

Columbus, OH

Provider: City of Columbus Refuse Collection Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Columbus observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Recycling and bulk collection follow the same delay.

Where to verify: columbus.gov/refuse

Charlotte, NC

Provider: City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Charlotte observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: charlottenc.gov/solidwaste

Indianapolis, IN

Provider: Indianapolis Department of Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Indianapolis observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: indy.gov/dpw

San Francisco, CA

Provider: Recology (contracted) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Unlike most other federal holidays, Recology does observe New Year’s Day — one of only three holidays it suspends service for (alongside Thanksgiving and Christmas). Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. The rescheduled pickup moves to Saturday January 3. Friday routes run normally — Recology uses the holiday-day-only system.

Where to verify: recology.com/san-francisco

Seattle, WA

Provider: Seattle Public Utilities / contracted haulers by zone Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Seattle observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Verify with your specific hauler as policies can vary slightly by zone.

Where to verify: seattle.gov/utilities

Denver, CO

Provider: Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Denver observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: denvergov.org/trash

Nashville, TN

Provider: Nashville Metro Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Nashville observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: nashville.gov/public-works

Washington, DC

Provider: DC Department of Public Works (DPW) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

DPW observes all 11 federal holidays, including New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are fully suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Trash, recycling, and bulk pickup are all affected.

Where to verify: dpw.dc.gov

Las Vegas, NV

Provider: Republic Services (contracted) Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Republic Services observes New Year’s Day in Las Vegas service areas. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Affected routes are delayed to the next available collection day. Verify at their site with your address.

Where to verify: republicservices.com

Portland, OR

Provider: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Portland observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Recycling and compost follow the same delay.

Where to verify: portland.gov/bes

Memphis, TN

Provider: City of Memphis Division of Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Memphis observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: memphistn.gov/public-works

Louisville, KY

Provider: Louisville Metro Government Waste Management Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Louisville observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: louisvilleky.gov/government/waste-management

Baltimore, MD

Provider: Baltimore City Department of Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Baltimore observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3. Recycling and bulk trash follow the same delay.

Where to verify: publicworks.baltimorecity.gov

Milwaukee, WI

Provider: City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Milwaukee observes New Year’s Day. Thursday collection is suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: city.milwaukee.gov/dpw

Albuquerque, NM

Provider: City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Albuquerque observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: cabq.gov/solidwaste

Tucson, AZ

Provider: City of Tucson Environmental Services Observes New Year’s Day: ✅ Yes

Tucson observes New Year’s Day. Thursday routes are suspended on January 1. Friday routes shift to Saturday January 3.

Where to verify: tucsonaz.gov/es

New Year’s Day 2026 – Quick Reference Chart

✅ = Normal | ❌ = Suspended | ⚠️ = Delayed | * = Holiday-day-only system

City	Mon Dec 29	Tue Dec 30	Wed Dec 31	Thu Jan 1	Fri Jan 2
New York City, NY	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Los Angeles, CA	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Chicago, IL	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Houston, TX	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Phoenix, AZ	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Philadelphia, PA	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
San Antonio, TX	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
San Diego, CA	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Dallas, TX	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Jacksonville, FL	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Austin, TX*	✅	✅	✅	❌ → Sat Jan 3	✅ Normal
Fort Worth, TX	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Columbus, OH	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Charlotte, NC	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Indianapolis, IN	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
San Francisco, CA*	✅	✅	✅	❌ → Sat Jan 3	✅ Normal
Seattle, WA	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Denver, CO	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Nashville, TN	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Washington, DC	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Las Vegas, NV	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Portland, OR	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Memphis, TN	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Louisville, KY	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Baltimore, MD	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Milwaukee, WI	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Albuquerque, NM	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3
Tucson, AZ	✅	✅	✅	❌ Suspended	⚠️ → Sat Jan 3

*Austin: Thursday routes move to Saturday Jan 3. Friday runs normally. *San Francisco: Thursday routes move to Saturday Jan 3. Friday runs normally.

New Year’s Day and the Holiday Season Backlog – What to Expect

New Year’s Day comes right after one of the highest-volume trash generation periods of the entire year. Between Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1), American households generate an enormous amount of waste — gift packaging, food waste from holiday gatherings, decorations, and cardboard boxes from online orders.

Here’s what to expect heading into the first pickup of 2026:

Your bin will likely be fuller than usual. Most cities do not pick up overflow bags left beside a bin. If you have significantly more waste than normal from the holiday season, check whether your city offers overflow stickers, extra bag tags, or a temporary bulk pickup option.

Christmas trees are not regular trash. Live Christmas tree pickup is a separate seasonal service in most U.S. cities, typically running from late December through mid-January. Do not put your tree in the regular trash bin — most cities have a dedicated curbside tree pickup day or drop-off location. Check your city’s website for 2026 tree recycling dates.

Cardboard recycling volume spikes. January is the highest-volume month for cardboard recycling thanks to holiday shipping boxes. Break all boxes down flat before placing them in your recycling bin — stacked flat boxes take up far less space and are far more likely to be collected.

New Year’s Eve bottles and cans. Glass is not accepted in curbside recycling in many U.S. cities. Check your city’s accepted materials list before putting glass bottles in the recycling bin.

Does New Year’s Day Affect Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulk Pickup?

In virtually every city that observes New Year’s Day for sanitation, yes — all curbside services follow the same schedule shift.

Recycling: Thursday recycling is suspended on January 1 and shifts to Friday January 2 in full-week delay cities (Saturday in Austin and San Francisco). Friday recycling shifts to Saturday January 3 in full-week delay cities.

Bulk item pickup: In most observing cities, bulk collection scheduled for Thursday or Friday that week shifts one day forward. Monday through Wednesday bulk pickup is unaffected.

Yard waste: Late December/early January is not peak yard waste season in most regions, but if your city runs year-round yard waste collection, it follows the same delay schedule.

San Francisco exception: Recology observes New Year’s Day and moves Thursday collection to Saturday — but Friday routes run normally. This is different from most cities where Friday also shifts.

What To Do If Your Trash Wasn’t Picked Up After New Year’s Day

The first week of January is one of the busiest periods for missed pickup reports because of the combination of holiday delays and unusually full bins. If your trash wasn’t collected on the rescheduled day:

Double-check the rescheduled day. If your pickup is Thursday, your new day is Friday January 2 (or Saturday January 3 in Austin and San Francisco). If your pickup is Friday, your new day is Saturday January 3 in most cities.

Wait 24 hours. Holiday routes run late more often than usual because of higher bin volumes across the whole week.

Report a missed pickup. Use your city’s online sanitation portal or call 311. Most cities schedule a return visit within 1–3 business days after a verified report.

Keep overflow contained. All trash must be in a closed container. Loose bags left on the curb during the make-up window may not be collected.

Frequently Asked Questions – New Year’s Day Trash Schedule 2026

Is garbage collection running on New Year’s Day 2026?

In most U.S. cities, no. New Year’s Day is one of the most universally observed holidays for sanitation — on par with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thursday January 1 routes are suspended in the vast majority of cities. The unusual detail in 2026 is that San Francisco’s Recology — which skips most other holidays — does observe New Year’s Day and reschedules Thursday pickup to Saturday.

What day does New Year’s Day fall on in 2026?

New Year’s Day 2026 falls on Thursday, January 1. That means only Thursday and Friday routes are disrupted — Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes are completely unaffected even in cities that observe the holiday.

My pickup is on Thursday — when does my trash run during New Year’s week?

In most cities using the full-week delay, your Thursday pickup shifts to Friday, January 2. In Austin and San Francisco, Thursday routes are rescheduled to Saturday, January 3. Check your city in the chart above.

My pickup is on Friday — am I affected by New Year’s Day 2026?

Yes, in most observing cities. Your Friday pickup shifts to Saturday, January 3 in cities using the full-week delay. In Austin, Friday routes are unaffected — only Thursday routes are rescheduled. In San Francisco, Friday also runs normally.

My pickup is on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday — am I affected?

No. Because New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday in 2026, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes are not disrupted — even in cities that observe the holiday with a full-week delay. Your pickup runs on its normal day.

Does San Francisco collect trash on New Year’s Day 2026?

No — and this is the notable exception. Recology, which normally only observes Thanksgiving and Christmas, also observes New Year’s Day. Thursday pickup in San Francisco is rescheduled to Saturday January 3. However, Friday routes run normally — Recology does not cascade the delay through the rest of the week.

Does New Year’s Day delay affect recycling pickup?

Yes, in all observing cities. Thursday recycling is suspended on January 1 and follows the same rescheduled day as trash. Friday recycling shifts to Saturday January 3 in most full-week delay cities.

When is the next holiday after New Year’s Day that affects trash pickup?

The next widely observed holiday is MLK Day on Monday January 19 — just 18 days later. Most major cities observe it with a full-week one-day delay. See the full schedule in MLK Day Trash Pickup 2026.

Related Holiday Trash Pickup Guides

This page is reviewed and updated annually as cities confirm their official holiday schedules. Last review: June 2026. If you notice an error for your city, contact us and we’ll update it within 48 hours.

Written and maintained by Fran A., Founder & Editor-in-Chief — trashpickupscheduleday.com