Raleigh is Southeast’s 10th most populous city, with over 469,000 residents. Recently, there was a huge chaos when residents had to wait long hours at the South Wake Sanitary landfill.
With more population comes more waste, and as per the local news, it is just the tip of the iceberg. So, if you don’t want to wait long hours or face any curbside pickup issues, you better don’t forget your trash day.
Well, if you have any confusion about the city of Raleigh garbage pickup schedule, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. Be assured that by the end of this article, all your concerns will be answered.
1.Raleigh Trash Pick Up Schedule 2024
Residential trash is collected weekly. The city of Raleigh’s solid waste department provides curbside collection services. Here’s how to find your trash pickup day:
- Navigate to the city government’s official website (click here)
- Type your address and then tap on the search icon
- Your curbside collection schedule will pop up
You can also download your yearly calendar and never miss your trash day again.
It is worth mentioning that the city is broadly divided into two “A” and “B” collection schedules. To download the area “A” calendar, click here. To download the “B” area calendar, click here.
Report A Missed Collection
If you’ve missed your trash day, then you don’t need to panic because Raleigh City offers a special pickup on request.
- Call 919 -996 -3245 and explain your issue to a customer support representative between 08:00 am to 05:30 pm.
- Fill out an online form and request a special collection.
Keep in mind that your special pickup will be scheduled for the next business day, and it won’t affect any of your recycling or yard waste collection services.
Facts About Raleigh Trash Pick Up
- Residential garbage is collected once a week.
- Recyclables and yard waste are picked up every other alternate week.
- Trash pickup starts at 07:00 am.
2.Raleigh Recycling Schedule
Effective July 5, the recycling schedule was changed. Before that, both brushes and recyclables were picked up on the same day. But now, here’s what you need to know:
- If Friday is your garbage day, then one Friday’s recyclables will be collected along with your residential waste.
- On your next curbside collection day, yard waste will be collected.
To find out your recycling day, click here. Keep in mind that all residents are bound to follow the city rules for preparing their blue carts.
Acceptable Items For Recycling: Aluminum cans, paper, phone books, #5 plastic bottles, paper bags, flattened cardboard, and properly rinsed glass jars are acceptable.
What Not To Put In Your Recycling Cart: Dead animals, Styrofoam, any kind of yard waste, cooking oils, large electronics, shoes, textiles, dirt debris, and any kind of batteries.
Raleigh Used Cooking Oil Recycling Program
The city runs an annual program and collects curb-side cooking oil and grease. This helps to prevent sewer overflow.
Dates To Remember: The seasonal cooking oil recycling begins from November 1 to January 14.
Residents can also call 919 -996 -3245 to schedule a free grease and oil collection service. Pour the oil into a clear container and label it as “used cooking oil,” and place it on the curbside by 07:30 am.
For proper packing and bottle details, watch this video for more information.
3.City Of Raleigh Yard Waste Pickup Schedule
Unlike the Charlotte yard waste pick up program, Raleigh City offers free yard waste carts and collects them bi-weekly.
- The cart size is 95 gallons.
- Only 15 bags of biodegradable paper bags are allowed with carts per collection.
- 50 pounds of sticks bundles are allowed.
Raleigh Yard Waste Rules
- Securely tie brush and limbs no more than five feet in length and 18 inches in diameter.
- Don’t waste your yard waste cart to the curb until a day before your assigned collection day.
- Roll out your carts from the curb on the same day after collection. Otherwise, you’ll be fined $50.
- Limbs more than 6 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length will not be collected.
- Soil and contracted yard waste will not be collected.
Raleigh Yard Waste Center
If you have yard waste more than the accepted limit, you can dispose of it at the Raleigh yard waste center by paying a fee.
- Location: The center is located at 900 N. New Hope Road.
- Operating Hours: The center remains open from Monday to Saturday from 07:00 am to 04:00 pm.
Acceptable Material: grass clipping, brush, leaves, Pine straw, unpainted pallets, shrubbery trimmings, limbs, logs, stumps, and hay.
Unacceptable Materials: Painted wood, stained wood, dirt-covered stumps, Asphalt, loan soil, and building materials.
City Of Raleigh Storm Debris Pickup
During the storms, the yard waste limit is increased to 20 bags and 10 bundles. All residents can also drop off storm debris (tree leaves, limbs, brush, and branches) at the yard waste collection center for free.
4.City Of Raleigh Bulk Trash Pickup
The city offers both free and paid bulky collection services. For both collection types, the rules are different.
Limit For Free Bulk Trash Pickup: 4 cubic yards after every 90 days.
Limit For Paid Pickup: You have to pay $50 per additional 4 cubic yards.
How To Schedule A Paid Bulk Collection?
Call 919 -996 -3245 and request a special pickup service. You’ll be charged depending on the size and material type of your pile.
Acceptable Items For Bulk Pickup: Lawnmowers and appliances, kitchen pots, pans, bicycles without tires, grills, bed frames, mattresses, box springs, broken or old furniture, and old televisions.
Unacceptable Items For Bulk Pickup: Tires, car parts, construction debris, mirrors, glass, windows, table tops, tree stumps, and treated lumber or wood
5.How To Get Rid Of Excessive Bulky Items That Are Not Accepted By The City Government?
Luckily, you’re still not out of options. If you’ve got a lot of large items that you want to dispose of, here are your two best options:
- Hire Private Haulers
- Self-Service At Wake County Landfill
Junk Haulers In Raleigh, NC – Easy Option
It is an easy option because you don’t have to deal with all the dirt debris or lift heavy weight. All you need to do is hire a private junk removal, and they’ll do the rest of the work for you.
Here’re the top 7 Junk Haulers In Raleigh:
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK? – (800 -468 -5865)
- JDog Junk Removal – (919 -897 -5364)
- Junk King Raleigh – (919 -457 -1063)
- Count Junkula of Raleigh (919 -352 -9135)
- Stand Up Guys (919 -719 -0556)
- College Hunks Hauling (919 -648 -0700)
- Junk Removal Warrior (919 -410 -8211)
The junk removal services charge a fee depending on the pile of your garbage pile. It is worth mentioning that you are expected to pay 10% more if you live far away from the city center.
South Wake Landfill – Difficult Yet Inexpensive Option
Items that are not allowed to collect under any trash type, i.e., residential, bulk, recycling, or yard waste, can be dumped at the “south wake sanitary landfill.”
- The self-service dumping is free.
- You have to prove your residency by showing a utility bill or driving license.
- Only non-commercial single axle vehicles are allowed.
South Wake Landfill Location: 6300 Old Smithfield Road, Apex.
Keep in mind that the location accepts rocks, building materials, used oils, tires, telephone books, textiles, and all other recycling materials.
6. Raleigh Trash Pickup Holiday Schedule
On holidays the residential garbage is not collected. If your trash collection day falls on any observed holiday, the collection will be pushed to the next day.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 28 |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 |
| Near Year’s Day | Wednesday, January 1 |
7.Important Contacts To Remember
To report missed trash or broken cart: Call 919 -996 -3245
For the Latest Information: Follow the city of Raleigh’s official Twitter account for updates on any changes in the pickup schedule.
Raleigh Trash Schedule FAQs
When is bulk pickup in Raleigh?
Bulky items up to 4 cubic yards are collected for free once every 90 days. Apart from it, residents can also request paid bulk pickup for a $50 fee by calling 919 -996 -3245.
How to contact the Raleigh Public Works Department?
The office is located at 222 W. Hargett St. You can also call 919 -996 -3245 or send all your queries through mail at sws@raleighnc.gov
What time does trash pickup start in Raleigh?
The curbside collection begins at 07:00 am. That’s why all residents must roll out their carts before 07:00 am on the assigned day.
Wrapping It Up!
In Raleigh, residential garbage is collected weekly. Recyclables and yard waste is picked up every other week alternatively, along with the regular trash. Bulky service is only available once in 90 days for up to 4 cubic yards.
The cherry on top is that you can also request a special pickup if you’ve missed rolling out your bin to the curbside. For any information, call 919 -996 -3245.
