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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Chapel Hill, NC?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Chapel Hill

  • Trash day: Wednesdays, collected by Waste Management
  • Recycling: weekly on Fridays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Chapel Hill is weekly on Wednesdays. Waste Management collects trash, recycling (weekly on Fridays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Waste Management

Private hauler

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Fridays (weekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Wednesdays

Recycling Collection

Weekly

Fridays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Mondays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Waste Management for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Chapel Hill accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Chapel Hill

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Call 311 or hauler

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Call your waste hauler for pricing.

Bulk pickup details for Chapel Hill

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Chapel Hill by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Chapel Hill

Composting in Chapel Hill

Not Available

Chapel Hill does not currently have a mandatory composting program. Backyard composting is encouraged.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Chapel Hill.2 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Chapel Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Chapel Hill?
Trash pickup in Chapel Hill, NC is weekly on Wednesdays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Waste Management handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected weekly on Fridays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Chapel Hill?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Chapel Hill, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Chapel Hill?
To schedule bulk pickup in Chapel Hill, call 311 or your hauler. Call your waste hauler for pricing.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Chapel Hill?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Chapel Hill. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Waste Management for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Chapel Hill have composting?
Chapel Hill does not currently have a mandatory composting program. Backyard composting is encouraged. Check with Waste Management for green waste collection options.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Chapel Hill?
If your trash was missed in Chapel Hill, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Waste Management at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill has approximately 1 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Chapel Hill

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Waste Management for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.