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Wilmington, NC trash pickup schedule

Wilmington trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.

Population 126,809 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collectsThe city collects City Solid Waste Services (Recycle and Trash Services) crews collect trash, recycling, yard waste and bulky items for city trash customers on public streets; billed monthly by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (volume-based fee). Downtown Central Business District uses the bag-based 'Bag It' program. Private streets/neighborhoods must petition for service; most apartment complexes use private haulers (city has no dumpster service).13
How oftenTrash weekly, recycling every other week, on the regular trash day, yard waste weekly, same day as trash7
Set outat the curb by 6 a.m. on pickup day; may be set out after noon the day before; containers removed from the right-of-way by the end of collection day; automated-truck placement: lid closed, handle and wheels toward the house, within 2 ft of the curb with 3 ft clearance on all sides112
Your pickup dayAddress lookup: wilmingtonnc.maps.arcgis.com35
Holiday Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 26, 2026: Moved to Wednesday. Thursday collection moves to Wednesday, Nov. 25, 20267

Bulk items: By appointment (details). Drop-off sites: 4 listed (hours and fees).

Wilmington holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s ruleCrews do not collect on New Year's Day, Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; the revised schedule is announced before each holiday (reminder tag on the cart, city website). Other city holidays: collection as normal (only the office closes).111
Official noticewilmingtonnc.gov7
Rule 2FAQ wording of the same rule3
Wilmington trash pickup on holidays, 2026
HolidayDatePickupWhat the city says
New Year's Day Thu, Jan 1, 2026 Moved to Wednesday Thursday Jan. 1, 2026 collection was moved to Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (past)7
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mon, Jan 19, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Presidents' Day Mon, Feb 16, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Memorial Day Mon, May 25, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Juneteenth Fri, Jun 19, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Independence Day (Fourth of July) Fri, Jul 3, 2026 (observed) Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Labor Day Mon, Sep 7, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Mon, Oct 12, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Veterans Day Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Not on the city’s list Not on the city’s list for this year
Thanksgiving Day Thu, Nov 26, 2026 Moved to Wednesday Thursday collection moves to Wednesday, Nov. 25, 20267
Christmas Day Fri, Dec 25, 2026 Moved to Wednesday Friday collection moves to Wednesday, Dec. 23, 20267

Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.

Sources: Trash, Frequently Asked Questions, 2026 Recycling & Trash Calendar (PDF; same file also at th…, Recycling & Trash Services Information Guide (English, PDF) Last checked Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Wilmington

How it worksBy appointment2
How to requestcall 910.341.7875 or use the online form (us.openforms.com) by 4:30 p.m. the business day before your trash day; later requests go to the following week; collected on your regular trash day; separate piles for bulky, metal bulky, electronics and yard waste; set items out only after the appointment is made and no sooner than noon the day before collection211
Limitsno count limit published; items too large or heavy for crews are not collected; extra household trash is not a bulky item2
Feesfree (included in the monthly trash fee) for city trash customers2
Not accepted
  • Demolition materials from contracted work2
  • Dirt, rocks, bricks, concrete or commercial demolition materials1
  • Safes1
  • Pallets1
  • Tires (take up to five to the county landfill free)1
  • Liquids11

Sources: Trash, Bulky Item Collection, Recycling & Trash Services Information Guide (English, PDF) Last checked Report a change

Recycling in Wilmington

Pickupevery other week, on the regular trash day7
Typesingle-stream (blue cart, no sorting)3
Glassaccepted in cart (glass bottles and jars)3
Plasticsplastic bottles #1-7, tubs, jugs and jars, plus rigid plastics (laundry baskets, buckets, tubs)310
Calendar2026 bi-weekly recycling calendar (green/blue week pattern) PDF, linked from the city Recycling page7

Accepted

  • Aluminum, steel and tin cans3
  • Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, catalogs, phone books3
  • Plastic bottles #1-73
  • Drink boxes and cartons (juice boxes, orange juice containers, milk cartons)3
  • Empty aerosol cans3
  • Glass bottles and jars3
  • Cardboard and chipboard (flattened)3
  • Rigid plastic (buckets, laundry baskets, milk crates)3
  • Household metals (pots and pans without plastic handles or glass tops)3
  • Paper cups and cartons10
  • Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and jars10
  • Newspaper including all inserts; mixed paper; catalogs under 2 inches thick10
  • Spiral wound containers (e.g. Pringles cans)10
  • Cereal and food boxes10
  • File folders and computer paper10
  • K-cups / coffee pods10
  • Lids and caps10

Not accepted

  • Plastic bags and film (take to participating grocers)7
  • Styrofoam/foam, plastic packing bubbles, cords or rope, household trash, food waste11
  • Plastic bags (do not bag recyclables)10

Programs

  • Recycling cart is requested by calling 910.341.7875; included in the trash rate; excess recyclables beside the cart in boxes or paper bags are collected; extra carts for a fee3
  • UNCW Recycling Depot, 5195 Lionfish Drive (free public drop-off): accepts foam plastic, plastic film and bags, plus everyday recyclables10

Sources: Frequently Asked Questions, 2026 Recycling & Trash Calendar (PDF; same file also at th…, Recycling, Recycling & Trash Services Information Guide (English, PDF) Last checked Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickupYes6
Seasonyear-round7
How oftenweekly, same day as trash7
Rulesone pile up to 7 cubic yards per week next to the carts; limbs max 4 ft long and 6 in diameter; loose material (grass, pine straw, leaves) containerized in paper yard bags, boxes or personal 35-gallon containers (max 50 lb); not in city carts, wheelbarrows, tarps or trailers; no contractor debris, palm trunks, stumps, dirt, rocks or concrete; out after noon the day before, by 6 a.m.6
Food scrapsNot published by the city (official page)
Christmas treesNot published by the city (official page)
Leaf collectionNot published by the city (official page)

Sources: Yard Waste Collection, 2026 Recycling & Trash Calendar (PDF; same file also at th… Last checked Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

TypeHousehold hazardous waste
Run byThe county
Address3002 Hwy 421 N., Wilmington, NC 28401 · Map14
HoursMon-Fri 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-noon; closed New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day14
Feesfree for New Hanover County residents14
Who can use itNew Hanover County residents only (ID required); no business or out-of-county hazardous chemicals14

New Hanover County Landfill

TypeLandfill
Run byThe county
Address5210 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Map8
HoursMon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 6:30 a.m.-noon (excluding select holidays); phone 910-798-44508
Feesfirst 5 tires free for residents, then $100 per ton; general tipping fees not recorded8

New Hanover County Recycling Center

TypeRecycling center
Run byThe county
Address3002 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Map14
HoursMon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (closed holidays)14
FeesNot published by the city (official page)

New Hanover County HazWagon (mobile HHW)

TypeHousehold hazardous waste
Run byThe county
AddressMon: Ogden Park (near the ball fields); Wed: Wrightsville Beach Municipal Complex; Fri: Carolina Beach (Mike Chappell Park, Clarendon Ave); 1st Sat: Kure Beach Town Hall · Map13
Hours10 a.m.-2 p.m. (major holidays excluded)13
Feesfree13
Who can use itNew Hanover County residents (ID required)13

Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.

Sources: Household Hazardous Waste, Landfill, Household Hazardous Waste, Hours & Locations Last checked Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup formCall 910.341.7875 to report a missed collection (only if the cart was out by 6 a.m. and has no violation tag); the city's online Trash & Recycling form (us.openforms.com) takes trash/recycling concerns and bulky requests315
PhoneSolid Waste Services 910.341.7875; sign-up/billing: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 910.332.65503
311Not published by the city (official page)
Official websitewilmingtonnc.gov1

Sources: Trash, Frequently Asked Questions, Trash & Recycling request form (city Forms & Workflow) Last checked Report a change

Nearby cities

All North Carolina cities: North Carolina trash pickup schedules.

Wilmington trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Wilmington?

Trash is collected weekly. Wilmington does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s address lookup (wilmingtonnc.maps.arcgis.com).

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Wilmington?

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Moved to Wednesday: Thursday collection moves to Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026

Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Wilmington?

Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Moved to Wednesday: Friday collection moves to Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026

Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Wilmington?

New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. Moved to Wednesday: Thursday Jan. 1, 2026 collection was moved to Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (past)

How do I get rid of bulky items in Wilmington?

By appointment. call 910.341.7875 or use the online form (https://us.openforms.com/Form/b9c8c1e5-58f1-44ff-84c3-d7ad3f1b90dd) by 4:30 p.m. the business day before your trash day; later requests go to the following week; collected on your regular trash day; separate piles for bulky, metal bulky, electronics and yard waste; set items out only after the appointment is made and no sooner than noon the day before collection Fees: free (included in the monthly trash fee) for city trash customers.

Does Wilmington recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart (glass bottles and jars).

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Wilmington?

Use the city’s online form (Call 910.341.7875 to report a missed collection (only if the cart was out by 6 a.m. and has no violation tag); the city's online Trash & Recycling form (https://us.openforms.com/Form/b9c8c1e5-58f1-44ff-84c3-d7ad3f1b90dd) takes trash/recycling concerns and bulky requests) or call Solid Waste Services 910.341.7875; sign-up/billing: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 910.332.6550.

Sources

  1. 1
    TrashCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  2. 2
    Bulky Item CollectionCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  3. 3
    Frequently Asked QuestionsCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  4. 4
    Household Hazardous WasteCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  5. 5
    Trash RoutesCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  6. 6
    Yard Waste CollectionCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked October 30, 2026
  7. 7
  8. 8
    LandfillCounty · recycling.nhcgov.com · checked October 30, 2026
  9. 9
    Solid Waste ServicesCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked November 1, 2026
  10. 10
    RecyclingCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked November 1, 2026
  11. 11
    Recycling & Trash Services Information Guide (English, PDF)City · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked November 1, 2026
  12. 12
    Modernizing to Serve You BetterCity · wilmingtonnc.gov · checked November 1, 2026
  13. 13
    Household Hazardous WasteCounty · recycling.nhcgov.com · checked November 1, 2026
  14. 14
    Hours & LocationsCounty · recycling.nhcgov.com · checked November 1, 2026
  15. 15
    Trash & Recycling request form (city Forms & Workflow)City · us.openforms.com · checked November 1, 2026

Something changed? Report a change

Second-pass verification against every source: November 1, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.