Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by Fran A., Editor-in-Chief
Presidents’ Day lands quietly in mid-February — and every year, thousands of residents put their bins out on the wrong day because they assumed collection works the same as it does on Labor Day or Memorial Day. It doesn’t.
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday, but it is one of the least consistently observed holidays for sanitation across U.S. cities. Some large city-run departments suspend collection and delay all routes that week. Many others — including some of the biggest cities in the country — run their full normal schedule without any change at all.
In 2026, Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16. This guide tells you exactly what to expect, city by city, so you never put your bin out on the wrong day.
⚠️ 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.
Presidents’ Day 2026 – Key Facts
- Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Federal holiday: Yes — officially Washington’s Birthday
- Common name: Presidents’ Day
- Day of week: Monday
- Routes most affected if observed: All weekday routes (Monday through Friday)
Because Presidents’ Day falls on a Monday, cities that observe it with a full-week one-day delay will push every route that week back by one day — Monday to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, Friday to Saturday.
Key insight: Presidents’ Day is observed by fewer U.S. cities for sanitation purposes than Memorial Day or Labor Day. Major cities like Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Portland run their normal schedule. Always check your city specifically — don’t assume a delay just because it’s a federal holiday.
How a Monday Presidents’ Day Affects Your Full Week Schedule
For cities using the full-week one-day delay system, here is what Presidents’ Day week looks like in 2026:
| Day | Regular Route | Presidents’ Day Week (if observed) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Feb 16 | Presidents’ Day | ❌ Suspended (if observed) |
| Tuesday, Feb 17 | Tuesday pickup | ⚠️ Delayed to Wednesday |
| Wednesday, Feb 18 | Wednesday pickup | ⚠️ Delayed to Thursday |
| Thursday, Feb 19 | Thursday pickup | ⚠️ Delayed to Friday |
| Friday, Feb 20 | Friday pickup | ⚠️ Delayed to Saturday |
In cities that do NOT observe Presidents’ Day: Every route runs on its normal Monday–Friday schedule with no changes whatsoever.
Presidents’ Day Trash Schedule 2026 – City by City
New York City, NY
Provider: NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
DSNY observes all 11 federal holidays, including Presidents’ Day. Monday, February 16 routes are fully suspended. All routes that week shift one day forward — Monday to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, Friday to Saturday.
Where to verify: nyc.gov/sanitation or NYC 311 app
👉 Related: Holiday Week Trash Schedule 2026 – All Changes in One Place
Los Angeles, CA
Provider: LA Sanitation (LASAN) Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
LASAN does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes the week of February 16 run on their normal schedule. Monday pickup runs as usual.
Where to verify: lacitysan.org or MyLA311 app
Chicago, IL
Provider: City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Chicago observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward through Saturday.
Where to verify: chicago.gov/streets or CHI311 app
Houston, TX
Provider: City of Houston Solid Waste Management Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Houston does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16. If your area uses a private contractor, verify directly with your hauler.
Where to verify: houstonsolidwaste.org
Phoenix, AZ
Provider: City of Phoenix Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ❓ Verify locally
Phoenix observes several federal holidays but Presidents’ Day is not consistently confirmed among them. Check your specific route at the city’s official website before February 16.
Where to verify: phoenix.gov/publicworks
Philadelphia, PA
Provider: Philadelphia Streets Department Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Philadelphia observes Presidents’ Day as one of its ten official sanitation holidays. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward.
Where to verify: phila.gov/streets
👉 Related: 2026 Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule – All U.S. Cities
San Antonio, TX
Provider: City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
San Antonio does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: sanantonio.gov/swmd
San Diego, CA
Provider: City of San Diego Environmental Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
San Diego does not observe Presidents’ Day. Collection runs on its normal schedule the week of February 16.
Where to verify: sandiego.gov/environmental-services
Dallas, TX
Provider: City of Dallas Sanitation Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Dallas does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All weekday routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: dallascityhall.com/sanitation
Jacksonville, FL
Provider: City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Jacksonville does not observe Presidents’ Day. Routes run on their normal schedule the week of February 16.
Where to verify: coj.net/solid-waste
Austin, TX
Provider: Austin Resource Recovery Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Austin does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run on their normal schedule the week of February 16.
Where to verify: austintexas.gov/arr
Fort Worth, TX
Provider: City of Fort Worth Environmental Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Fort Worth observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward through Saturday.
Where to verify: fortworthtexas.gov/environmental
Columbus, OH
Provider: City of Columbus Refuse Collection Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Columbus observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward.
Where to verify: columbus.gov/refuse
Charlotte, NC
Provider: City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Charlotte does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: charlottenc.gov/solidwaste
Indianapolis, IN
Provider: Indianapolis Department of Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Indianapolis observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward.
Where to verify: indy.gov/dpw
San Francisco, CA
Provider: Recology (contracted) Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Recology only observes Thanksgiving and Christmas. Presidents’ Day causes no schedule change in San Francisco. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: recology.com/san-francisco
Seattle, WA
Provider: Seattle Public Utilities / contracted haulers by zone Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Seattle Public Utilities does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run on their normal schedule the week of February 16. Verify with your specific hauler if contracted.
Where to verify: seattle.gov/utilities
Denver, CO
Provider: Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Denver does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: denvergov.org/trash
Nashville, TN
Provider: Nashville Metro Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Nashville observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward.
Where to verify: nashville.gov/public-works
Washington, DC
Provider: DC Department of Public Works (DPW) Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
DPW observes all 11 federal holidays, including Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are fully suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward through Saturday.
Where to verify: dpw.dc.gov
Las Vegas, NV
Provider: Republic Services (contracted) Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Republic Services does not observe Presidents’ Day in most Las Vegas service areas. Routes run normally the week of February 16. Verify at their site with your address.
Where to verify: republicservices.com
Portland, OR
Provider: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Portland does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: portland.gov/bes
Memphis, TN
Provider: City of Memphis Division of Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Memphis does not observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation purposes. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: memphistn.gov/public-works
Louisville, KY
Provider: Louisville Metro Government Waste Management Observes Presidents’ Day: ⬜ No
Louisville does not observe Presidents’ Day. Collection runs normally the week of February 16.
Where to verify: louisvilleky.gov/government/waste-management
Baltimore, MD
Provider: Baltimore City Department of Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Baltimore observes Presidents’ Day. Monday routes are suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward.
Where to verify: publicworks.baltimorecity.gov
Milwaukee, WI
Provider: City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Observes Presidents’ Day: ✅ Yes
Milwaukee observes Presidents’ Day. Monday collection is suspended on February 16. All routes that week shift one day forward through Saturday.
Where to verify: city.milwaukee.gov/dpw
Albuquerque, NM
Provider: City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Observes Presidents’ Day: ❓ Verify locally
Albuquerque observes several federal holidays but Presidents’ Day observance for sanitation is not consistently confirmed. Check the city’s solid waste page before February 16.
Where to verify: cabq.gov/solidwaste
Tucson, AZ
Provider: City of Tucson Environmental Services Observes Presidents’ Day: ❓ Verify locally
Tucson’s sanitation holiday list does not consistently include Presidents’ Day. Verify at the city’s environmental services page before February 16.
Where to verify: tucsonaz.gov/es
Presidents’ Day 2026 – Quick Reference Chart
✅ = Delay confirmed | ⬜ = Normal schedule | ❓ = Verify locally before February 16
| City | Observes Presidents’ Day | Mon Feb 16 | Tue–Fri That Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Los Angeles, CA | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Chicago, IL | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Houston, TX | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Phoenix, AZ | ❓ Verify | ❓ Check | ❓ Check |
| Philadelphia, PA | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| San Antonio, TX | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| San Diego, CA | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Dallas, TX | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Jacksonville, FL | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Austin, TX | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Fort Worth, TX | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Columbus, OH | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Charlotte, NC | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Indianapolis, IN | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| San Francisco, CA | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Seattle, WA | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Denver, CO | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Nashville, TN | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Washington, DC | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Las Vegas, NV | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Portland, OR | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Memphis, TN | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Louisville, KY | ⬜ No | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
| Baltimore, MD | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Milwaukee, WI | ✅ Yes | ❌ Suspended | ⚠️ All routes +1 day |
| Albuquerque, NM | ❓ Verify | ❓ Check | ❓ Check |
| Tucson, AZ | ❓ Verify | ❓ Check | ❓ Check |
Presidents’ Day vs. Other February Holidays – What’s Different?
Presidents’ Day gets less attention than Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it’s the first major federal holiday of the year that falls on a weekday and catches people off guard. A few things that set it apart:
Fewer cities observe it than MLK Day. MLK Day, which falls just four weeks earlier on January 19, is observed by most major U.S. city sanitation departments. Presidents’ Day has notably lower observance — cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Portland, and San Francisco don’t suspend service at all.
It’s officially called Washington’s Birthday. The federal government never officially named this holiday “Presidents’ Day” — the legal name is Washington’s Birthday. Some cities use one name, others use the other. For sanitation purposes, the name doesn’t matter. What matters is whether it’s on your city’s observed holiday list.
It follows MLK Day by exactly four weeks. If your city delayed routes for MLK Day (January 19) but then ran normally on Presidents’ Day (February 16), don’t be surprised — that pattern is common in cities like San Antonio, Dallas, San Diego, and Portland.
Does Presidents’ Day Affect Recycling and Bulk Pickup?
In cities that observe Presidents’ Day for sanitation, yes — recycling follows the same one-day delay as regular trash. Monday recycling shifts to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, and so on through the week.
Bulk item and yard waste pickup: In observing cities, bulk collection typically shifts the same way as regular trash. If your bulk pickup was scheduled for Monday, February 16 and your city observes the holiday, expect it to shift to Tuesday.
Composting and green bins: Cities with separate organics programs — San Francisco, Seattle, Portland — do not observe Presidents’ Day and run composting on their normal schedule that week.
👉 Related: When Trash Is Delayed by a Holiday: How to Find Your New Day
What To Do If Your City Isn’t on This List
Step 1 – Check your city’s sanitation website Search “[your city] holiday trash schedule 2026” or “[your city] Presidents Day garbage collection.” Most public works departments publish their complete list of observed holidays.
Step 2 – Call or use 311 311 is available in virtually every major U.S. city. Ask directly: “Is trash pickup delayed on Presidents’ Day this year?”
Step 3 – Check your private hauler If collection is handled by Republic Services, WM, Recology, or another contractor, go to their website, enter your address, and look for Presidents’ Day notices. Private haulers typically post holiday updates 1–2 weeks in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions – Presidents’ Day Trash Schedule 2026
Is garbage collection running on Presidents’ Day 2026?
It depends entirely on your city. Cities including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Fort Worth, Columbus, Indianapolis, Nashville, Baltimore, and Milwaukee observe Presidents’ Day and delay all routes that week. Major cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, San Diego, Denver, Austin, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, and San Francisco run their normal schedule. Check the quick reference chart above for your city.
What day does Presidents’ Day fall on in 2026?
Presidents’ Day 2026 falls on Monday, February 16. As a Monday holiday, it affects every route that week in cities that observe it — pushing all weekday pickups back by one day.
My city observed MLK Day — does that mean it also observes Presidents’ Day?
Not necessarily. MLK Day has broader observance than Presidents’ Day across U.S. cities. Many cities that delay routes for MLK Day (January 19) run a completely normal schedule on Presidents’ Day (February 16). Always check your city’s official observed holiday list rather than assuming the two holidays are treated the same.
My pickup is on Monday — will it run on Presidents’ Day 2026?
If your city observes Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16 routes are suspended and shift to Tuesday. If your city does not observe it — which includes many large cities — your Monday pickup runs normally. Check the chart above.
Does San Francisco delay collection on Presidents’ Day 2026?
No. Recology only observes Thanksgiving and Christmas. Presidents’ Day has no impact on the San Francisco collection schedule. All routes run normally the week of February 16.
Does Los Angeles delay trash pickup on Presidents’ Day 2026?
No. LA Sanitation (LASAN) does not observe Presidents’ Day. All routes in Los Angeles run normally the week of February 16. Monday pickup is unaffected.
Does the Presidents’ Day delay also apply to recycling?
In cities that observe the holiday, yes — recycling follows the same one-day delay as regular trash. Monday recycling shifts to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, and so on. In cities that don’t observe Presidents’ Day, recycling runs normally.
What is the next major holiday after Presidents’ Day that affects trash pickup?
After Presidents’ Day, the next widely observed holiday for trash collection is Memorial Day, Monday May 25, 2026 — which is observed by nearly every city in the U.S. See the full year calendar in our 2026 Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule.
Related Holiday Trash Pickup Guides
- 2026 Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule – All U.S. Cities
- Holiday Week Trash Schedule 2026 – All Changes in One Place
- MLK Day Trash Pickup 2026 – Is Collection Running?
- Memorial Day Trash Pickup 2026 – Is Collection Running?
- When Trash Is Delayed by a Holiday: How to Find Your New Day
- Labor Day Garbage Collection 2026 – Changes by City
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
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