Charlotte Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026

Charlotte Solid Waste Services provides four main curbside services for eligible residents: garbage collection, recycling collection, yard waste collection, and bulky waste collection. Garbage and yard waste are collected once a week, while recycling is collected every other week on a Green or Orange schedule. Bulky waste must be scheduled in advance.

How to Find Your Charlotte Trash Pickup Day (Fast Lookup)

Charlotte’s official My Charlotte Lookup tool is the fastest way to confirm your collection day and whether you are on an Orange Week or Green Week for recycling. The city specifically tells residents to use this lookup to find their day of service and recycling week.

1. Open My Charlotte Lookup. Go to My Charlotte Lookup.
2. Enter your address. The tool shows your regular garbage day and your Green or Orange recycling week.
3. Check all services together. Garbage and yard waste run weekly, while recycling alternates every other week.
4. Bookmark the 2026 holiday schedule. Charlotte changed parts of its holiday pattern in 2026, so this matters more than in past years.
5. Use the CLT+ app or 311 if needed. The city also promotes the CLT+ app and 311 for trash day checks and bulky pickup requests.

Charlotte Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When

Charlotte’s core residential service pattern is simple once you know it. Garbage and yard waste are weekly, recycling is every other week, and bulky items are by appointment only.

Charlotte also says carts should be placed within 6 feet of the curb, with the handle facing toward your property, at least 3 feet from obstacles like mailboxes, poles, or parked vehicles, and they must not block the sidewalk.

Charlotte Garbage Cart Rules

Charlotte collects garbage once a week on your scheduled collection day. The city’s collection guidelines say garbage should be placed in the rollout cart and prepared so crews can service it safely and efficiently.

Important cart rules:

• Place the cart at the curb no later than 6 a.m.
• Do not set it out earlier than the day before collection
• Keep the cart within 6 feet of the curb
• Handle should face toward your property
• Leave at least 3 feet of space from obstacles
• Do not block sidewalks

Charlotte Orange / Green Recycling Weeks

Charlotte recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your garbage and yard waste collection. The city specifically says recycling customers are placed on either a Green Week or Orange Week schedule.

Charlotte recycling basics:

• Recycling is collected every other week
• Use the city-issued green recycling cart
• Do not bag recyclables
• Place recyclables loosely in the cart
• Do not overfill the cart or place items outside of it
• Use My Charlotte Lookup to confirm if your week is Green or Orange

Charlotte Yard Waste Collection

Charlotte collects yard waste once a week on your scheduled collection day, as long as the materials are prepared correctly. The city says yard waste is turned into mulch and compost for reuse.

Charlotte says personal containers and paper bags used for yard waste should weigh no more than 75 pounds. Brush piles must also be separated by 2 feet so crews can collect them safely.

Charlotte Bulky Item Pickup

Charlotte requires bulky waste collection to be scheduled in advance. The city says residents can schedule a pickup online, by calling 311, or through the CLT+ app.

Examples of bulky waste the city lists as eligible:

• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Appliances
• Other large household items

1. Schedule first. Use Charlotte’s online bulky pickup tool, call 311, or use the CLT+ app.
2. Prepare the item correctly. Many items have size or dismantling rules in the city’s eligibility sheet.
3. Watch weight and length rules. A lot of bulky items in Charlotte must be under 75 pounds, and longer items often need to be cut in half.
4. Do not guess on unusual items. The city says the eligibility list is not exhaustive and recommends calling 311 if you are unsure.

Charlotte’s bulky eligibility guide is detailed. Examples include rolled carpet, mattresses, couches, some homeowner repair materials, certain electronics, refrigerators with doors removed, and up to eight tires with rims removed. The city also excludes many contractor materials, concrete, dirt, roofing, rocks, sheetrock, railroad ties, and similar construction debris.

Charlotte 2026 Holiday Collection Schedule

Charlotte changed part of its holiday schedule in 2026. The city says Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day now follow a new pattern, while Thanksgiving and Christmas keep the traditional one-day delay. Other 2026 weekday holidays do not cause a service change.

What to Do If Charlotte Missed Your Pickup

Charlotte says crews aim to provide garbage, recycling, yard waste, and scheduled bulky waste on the assigned day and week of collection. The city also says that if your collection has not occurred within 48 hours of your normal scheduled collection day during MLK Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day weeks, you should report a missed pickup.

1. Check My Charlotte Lookup first. Confirm your day and whether it is a Green or Orange week.
2. Review holiday timing. Charlotte changed some holiday weeks in 2026, especially MLK Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
3. Check cart placement. Make sure the cart was out by 6 a.m., within 6 feet of the curb, with 3 feet of space from obstacles.
4. Check material prep. Yard waste and bulky waste are often missed because they were prepared incorrectly.
5. Report the issue. Call 311 / 704-336-7600 or use the CLT+ app.

Official Charlotte Trash Collection Resources

Need help? Call 311 / 704-336-7600 for missed collection questions, schedule help, or bulky item guidance.