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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Raleigh, NC?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Raleigh

  • Trash day: Thursdays, collected by Raleigh Solid Waste Services
  • Recycling: biweekly on Mondays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: request online — 3 free/year

Trash pickup in Raleigh is weekly on Thursdays. Raleigh Solid Waste Services collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Mondays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Raleigh Solid Waste Services

Municipal service

Contact

919-996-3245

Official website

Trash Pickup

Thursdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Mondays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Thursdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Mondays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Tuesdays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Raleigh Solid Waste Services for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Raleigh 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 Raleigh

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Request online

Free Pickups Per Year

3 free

3 free per year, then $15 per additional pickup

Bulk pickup details for Raleigh

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Raleigh 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 Raleigh

Composting in Raleigh

Available

Raleigh offers curbside composting for organic waste. Check your hauler for green bin availability.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Raleigh.4 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Raleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Raleigh?
Trash pickup in Raleigh, NC is weekly on Thursdays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Raleigh Solid Waste Services handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Mondays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Raleigh?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Raleigh, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Raleigh?
To schedule bulk pickup in Raleigh, request online. You get 3 free pickups per year. Maximum 5 items per pickup.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Raleigh?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Raleigh. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Raleigh Solid Waste Services 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 Raleigh?
Raleigh 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 Raleigh have composting?
Yes, Raleigh offers composting. Drop-off composting is available at designated locations.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Raleigh?
If your trash was missed in Raleigh, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Raleigh Solid Waste Services 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 Raleigh?
Raleigh has approximately 3 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 Raleigh

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 Raleigh Solid Waste Services for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.