Cary Trash Pickup Schedule 2026: Calendar, Recycling & Bulk

✓ Cary, North Carolina • Address-based 2026 schedule guide

Follow the Greenway Signal to the Right Cary Collection Day

Cary collects household garbage and properly prepared yard waste every week. Recycling runs every other week on the same assigned weekday, so an address lookup is necessary before putting the recycling cart outside.

This guide helps you find the Cary trash pick up schedule, create a printable Cary trash pickup calendar, check whether recycling is due, prepare yard waste, schedule furniture or appliances, understand 2026 holiday changes and report a missed collection without relying on a neighbour’s cart.

⬛ Garbage weekly ♻️ Recycling biweekly 🌿 Yard waste weekly ⏰ Ready by 7 AM 📖 Complete Cary guide

Cary Trash Collection Schedule 2026: Quick Answer

Cary garbage and yard waste are collected weekly at the curb, while recycling is collected every other week on the same assigned weekday. The exact collection day and recycling week depend on the service address.

Use Cary Collects to search the address, view the personalised calendar and enable reminders. Place carts at the curb no earlier than dusk the night before and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Point the arrows on each lid toward the street and remove emptied carts before 6:00 a.m. the following day.

Furniture, grills, appliances, oil and other special materials require an appointment or a separate disposal program. Do not put appointment-only items beside the normal carts without first contacting Cary 311.

Cary 311 Dial 311 inside Cary
Outside Cary 919-469-4000
Sanitation Service $26 monthly
Bulky Pickup $15 first item

How to Find the Cary Trash Pick Up Schedule by Address

Cary does not publish one universal weekday for every neighbourhood. Cary Collects is the official schedule and disposal-search system for municipal customers.

  1. Open Cary Collects. Use the Town’s official web tool rather than a third-party calendar.
  2. Enter the complete service address. Select the correct Cary property from the address suggestions.
  3. Record the weekly weekday. Garbage and properly prepared yard waste normally use this day every week.
  4. Record the next recycling date. The blue recycling cart is collected only every other week.
  5. Review holiday changes. Cary Collects reflects modified service dates and current notices.
  6. Turn on reminders. Use a notification the evening before collection.
  7. Search unusual items. The Waste Wizard identifies whether an item belongs in a cart, special pickup or drop-off program.

Useful Cary 311 schedule script

“Please confirm my weekly garbage and yard-waste weekday, my next recycling date and any holiday change for this complete Cary service address.”

Open Cary Collects

Is Cary Trash or Recycling Scheduled Today?

Copy the next dates shown in Cary Collects into this tool. It compares them with the current date in Cary, North Carolina.

Enter one or more dates copied from the official address calendar.
Official schedule controls: This helper cannot detect a newly posted storm delay, emergency route change or address correction.

Cary Trash Pickup Calendar: Print or Save a Copy

The most accurate Cary trash pickup calendar is the personalised calendar generated for the address. A generic citywide PDF may show the wrong recycling week.

  1. Search the address in Cary Collects. Confirm that the property result is correct.
  2. Open the calendar view. Review garbage, recycling, yard-waste and holiday dates together.
  3. Choose the print option. Use a paper copy for the kitchen, garage or rental property.
  4. Save as PDF when needed. Select “Save as PDF” in the browser’s print window when the device supports it.
  5. Keep app reminders enabled. A static calendar cannot automatically reflect an emergency service change.
Moving within Cary? Generate a new calendar for the new address instead of reusing the old property’s schedule.

Cary Collects Mobile App

The official Cary Collects app displays garbage and recycling schedules, sends reminders and includes a searchable material-disposal guide.

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Save the address

Use the service property—not a billing, mailing or previous address.

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Enable reminders

Set the reminder early enough to prepare carts and yard waste before 7:00 a.m.

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Search Waste Wizard

Check furniture, paint, batteries, appliances, electronics and construction material before set-out.

Cary Collects for iPhone Cary Collects for Android

Cary Trash Recycling Schedule: What Runs When?

Garbage

Weekly
Bagged household waste in the Town cart

Recycling

Every 2 Weeks
Accepted material loose in the recycling cart

Yard Waste

Weekly
Paper bags, containers or tied bundles

Special Items

By Request
Bulky waste, appliances and oils
Service Frequency Preparation Main mistake
Household garbage Weekly Seal waste in bags and place it inside the Town rollout cart. Leaving overflow outside the cart without arranging special service.
Recycling Every other week Place accepted recyclables loose in the recycling cart. Bagging recycling or using the wrong week.
Yard waste Weekly Use qualifying reusable containers, paper bags or tied bundles. Using plastic bags or mixing in soil, rocks or trash.
Bulky trash Appointment Describe and schedule each item through Cary 311. Placing furniture curbside without a confirmed request.
Appliances Appointment or drop-off Use the separate appliance collection or approved recycling route. Mixing appliances into bulky trash or normal garbage.

Cary Cart Set-Out and Storage Rules

Rule Cary requirement Resident action
Earliest set-out Dusk the night before collection Keep carts stored properly until the evening.
Latest set-out 7:00 a.m. on collection day Do not rely on the truck arriving at the same time each week.
Cart direction Arrows on the lid point toward the street Leave the automated lifting side accessible.
Road placement Cart stays out of the roadway Use the curb location without blocking traffic or drainage.
Obstacles Keep away from poles, mailboxes and fire hydrants Leave room for the automated arm.
Yard-waste separation Leave ample space between carts and yard waste Do not pile branches or bags against the rollout carts.
Cart removal Before 6:00 a.m. the next day Return empty carts to the approved storage area.
Easy routine: Out after dusk, ready before seven, arrows toward the street, carts back before the next morning.

Weekly Cary Garbage Collection

Prepare household garbage

  • Seal normal household waste in plastic bags.
  • Put every bag inside the Town-provided rollout cart.
  • Keep the lid closed whenever possible.
  • Allow ashes to cool completely before disposal.
  • Keep yard material and recyclables separate.
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Special safety rules

  • Never place hot ashes in the cart.
  • Put needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant bottle or similar rigid container.
  • Do not place appliances, electronics or hazardous liquids in garbage.
  • Do not leave unapproved furniture beside the cart.

What to Do With Extra Garbage

Until the Citizen’s Convenience Center closes, eligible residents may take accepted excess household garbage to 313 N. Dixon Avenue. Residents may also request a paid special collection or add another garbage cart for a monthly charge.

Important 2027 change: The Dixon Avenue public drop-off option ends after December 30, 2026. Curbside garbage service is not currently affected by that closure.

Cary Recycling Schedule and Cart Rules

Cary recycling is collected every other week on the regular garbage and yard-waste weekday. The Town provides a 95-gallon recycling cart for residents.

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Recycling-ready material

  • Use only items accepted by Cary Recycles.
  • Empty and clean food or beverage containers.
  • Flatten cardboard to save cart space.
  • Keep all accepted material loose.
  • Use Cary Collects for items not shown on the basic list.
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Keep these out

  • Plastic bags and bagged recycling.
  • Food and liquids.
  • Shredded paper.
  • Electronics and batteries.
  • Motor oil and filters.
  • Appliances and construction waste.
Shredded-paper rule: Home-shredded paper is not accepted in the curbside recycling cart. Use a Town shredding console or bag it for garbage when no approved recycling option is available.

Cary Every-Other-Week Recycling Planner

Enter one recycling date confirmed through Cary Collects. The tool projects the next six 14-day dates.

Use a confirmed date for the exact service address.
Planning only: Recheck holiday, storm and emergency changes in Cary Collects before each set-out.

Weekly Cary Yard-Waste Collection

Cary collects residential grass clippings, brush, leaves and limbs every week on the normal garbage day.

Preparation type Maximum size or weight Correct setup
Reusable container 32 gallons and 25 pounds each Use a container with handles that one worker can safely empty.
Paper yard-waste bag 25 pounds each Keep the bag dry enough to lift and do not use a plastic liner.
Tied bundle Four feet long and 24 inches in diameter Tie securely and keep it manageable for one person.
Individual limb Four inches in diameter Cut larger material before using normal weekly collection.
Total regular collection pile 240 cubic feet Approximately eight feet long, five feet wide and six feet tall.

Yard Waste That Will Be Rejected

  • Plastic yard-waste bags.
  • Material mixed with soil, rocks or household trash.
  • Oversized loose limbs.
  • Material exceeding the normal collection-volume limit.
  • Commercial landscaping debris left as residential waste.

Cary Chipper Service

Cary offers paid chipper service by request for tree limbs longer than four feet. Limbs must be less than 14 inches in diameter. Contact Cary 311 before creating the pile so the Town can explain the current fee and placement rules.

Official Yard-Waste Rules

Cary Loose-Leaf Collection

Cary’s annual loose-leaf program provides three collection passes between late fall and winter. Crews work zone by zone rather than promising one exact street date.

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Place leaves loose

Keep leaf piles free of sticks, stones, trash and plastic bags.

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Keep access clear

Do not cover sidewalks, storm drains, meters, hydrants or sewer clean-outs.

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Follow zone progress

Use Cary’s live loose-leaf map rather than expecting the truck on the regular garbage day.

2026 post-season help: Cary provided no-charge leaf collection by request from February 9 through March 31, 2026. Additional requests after March 31 may carry a fee.
Official Loose-Leaf Page

Cary Holiday Collection Schedule 2026

Cary does not apply one automatic delay rule to every Town holiday. Office or facility closure does not necessarily mean curbside collection is delayed.

2026 event Verified curbside status Resident action
Winter storm recovery, week of February 2 Collection delayed one day because of severe weather. Use Cary Collects and keep carts positioned safely away from plowing operations.
Memorial Day, May 25 Garbage, recycling and yard waste delayed one day for the week of May 25–29. Use the one-day-later date shown for the address.
Juneteenth, June 19 No change to curbside garbage, recycling or yard waste during June 15–19. Use the normal address schedule.
Independence Day observance, week of June 29 Curbside collection remained on its normal schedule. Use the normal address schedule.
Labor Day, September 7 Confirm in Cary Collects when the Town publishes the final service notice. Do not assume the delay before checking the personalised calendar.
Veterans Day, November 11 Confirm in Cary Collects when the 2026 service notice is published. Check whether routes on or after the holiday move.
Thanksgiving, November 26–27 Confirm the 2026 compressed-week schedule in Cary Collects. Check garbage, recycling and yard waste separately.
Christmas holiday period Final 2026 collection arrangement should be checked closer to December. Use Cary Collects and current Town alerts.
Best holiday habit: Open the personalised calendar the evening before any Town holiday rather than applying another city’s one-day-delay rule.

Cary Bulky Trash Pickup by Appointment

Bulky trash includes household items too large to fit inside the rollout cart. Furniture and gas grills are common examples, but electronics and appliances may require different service categories.

  1. Search the item in Cary Collects. Confirm whether it is bulky trash, an appliance, electronics or hazardous material.
  2. Submit a Cary 311 request. List every separate item and provide the service address.
  3. Confirm the price. Bulky pickup currently costs $15 for the first item and $8 for each additional item collected on the same trip.
  4. Wait for the scheduled date. Do not place furniture curbside merely because it is the normal garbage day.
  5. Place approved items out by 7:00 a.m. Keep them separated from carts, yard waste, mailboxes and vehicles.
  6. Keep confirmation. Save the request number and a photograph of the prepared items.

Useful bulky-pickup request

“I need a curbside appointment for [number and exact item names] at [address]. Please confirm the service category, fee, collection date and preparation rules.”

Submit a Cary 311 Request

Cary Bulky Pickup Fee Calculator

The first approved item is $15 and each additional item on the same trip is $8.
Estimate only: Cary 311 determines whether each item qualifies as bulky trash, appliance pickup, electronics or another service.

Cary Appliance Collection and Drop-Off

Refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers and similar appliances use a separate appliance-recycling service.

Appliance option Current published charge What to do
Curbside appliance collection $20 for the first appliance and $10 for each additional appliance Schedule through Cary 311 and wait for the approved date.
Citizen’s Convenience Center $10 per appliance Available only while public access remains open and subject to current acceptance rules.
Wake County Multi-Material Facility Town guidance currently describes appliance drop-off as no charge. Verify current Wake County hours and acceptance before travel.
Televisions and monitors: North Carolina prohibits covered electronics from landfill disposal. Search the exact device in Cary Collects rather than placing it with furniture.

Free Motor-Oil and Cooking-Oil Collection

🛢️

Used motor oil and filters

  • Schedule the free collection through Cary 311.
  • Use a plastic container no larger than five gallons.
  • Secure it with a screw-cap lid.
  • Clearly label it “Used Motor Oil.”
  • Triple-bag used oil filters.
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Cooking oil and grease

Cary also provides free scheduled curbside recycling for residential fats, oils and grease. Keep cooking oil out of sinks, drains and stormwater systems.

Citizen’s Convenience Center: Final 2026 Information

The Citizen’s Convenience Center at 313 N. Dixon Avenue accepts eligible residential solid waste, recycling, food waste and yard waste. Public access permanently ends after December 30, 2026 because of planned railroad right-of-way work.

Monday–Saturday

8 AM–6 PM
Unless a closure is posted

Sunday

1–6 PM
Closed on Town holidays

Final Public Day

Dec. 30
Public access ends in 2026

Payment

Card
Credit or debit for chargeable items

Who and What Is Restricted?

  • Commercial use and contractor waste are prohibited.
  • Box trucks and enclosed trailers are prohibited.
  • Household hazardous waste is not accepted.
  • Paint, propane tanks, tyres, motor oil and filters are not accepted.
  • Construction debris, concrete, bricks, shingles and treated lumber are not accepted.
  • Logs over six inches in diameter, stumps, soil and rocks are not accepted.
Closure correction: The dedicated closure notice lists 6:00 p.m. on December 30, 2026 as the final public-access time. Do not plan a December 31 visit.
Official Center and Closure Page

Cary Sanitation and Additional Cart Fees

Service Current published fee Resident guidance
Residential sanitation $26 per month Appears with eligible utility-service charges.
Additional garbage cart $4 per month Available in qualifying 65- or 95-gallon sizes.
Upgrade from 65- to 95-gallon primary cart No charge for the allowed initial exchange Confirm cart eligibility through Cary 311.
Multiple cart exchanges $20 after the no-charge first exchange Avoid repeated size changes by testing household capacity first.
Damaged cart caused by negligence $50 Ordinary Town-handled maintenance may follow different rules.
Before ordering a second garbage cart: Check whether cardboard belongs in recycling and whether leaves or brush belong in weekly yard-waste service.

Curbside Assistance for Physical Limitations

Cary offers collection assistance to qualifying residents who cannot move garbage and recycling carts because of a temporary or permanent physical disability.

  1. Ask Cary 311 for the assistance form. Use the current Curbside Assistance Request Form.
  2. Ask the physician to complete verification. Medical confirmation is required.
  3. Return the complete form. Use the mail or fax information printed on the application.
  4. Wait for Cary’s approval. Do not assume assistance begins when the form is mailed.
  5. Confirm the approved cart location. Keep access clear for collection staff.

What to Do When Cary Misses a Pickup

  1. Check Cary Collects. Confirm the correct weekday, recycling week and holiday change.
  2. Confirm the 7:00 a.m. deadline. A cart placed out after the truck passed is not a route miss.
  3. Inspect placement. Check direction, roadway position, mailbox clearance and separation from yard waste.
  4. Inspect the material. Look for bagged recycling, plastic yard bags, oversized branches or overflow garbage.
  5. Check for a notice. Correct the stated preparation problem when the crew left an explanation.
  6. Contact Cary 311. Dial 311 within Cary or 919-469-4000 outside Town limits.
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Record these details

  • Full service address.
  • Scheduled date.
  • Garbage, recycling or yard waste.
  • Photo of cart placement.
  • Time the material was set out.
  • Any notice or holiday alert.
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Useful report wording

“My [garbage/recycling/yard waste] at [address] was scheduled for [date]. It was at the curb before 7:00 a.m. and followed the preparation rules. Please confirm whether the route is delayed or create a missed-collection request.”

Open Cary 311

Snow, Storm and Emergency Collection Changes

  • Check Cary Collects and current Town news before assuming the normal day.
  • Keep carts out of the roadway so plows and emergency vehicles can operate.
  • Use a flat, accessible area instead of a snowbank or unstable pile.
  • When two or more inches of snow are predicted, yard waste may be suspended during the event.
  • Keep branches and carts away from downed wires.
  • Do not report a normal storm delay as an ordinary missed pickup.
  • Call 311 when physical limitations prevent safe curb placement.

Apartments, Condos, HOAs and Private Collection

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Individually serviced home

Use Cary Collects when the address receives Town rollout-cart service.

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Shared dumpster property

The building may use a private or multi-family collection agreement with different rules.

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HOA restrictions

HOA storage rules do not change the Town collection deadline or accepted-material rules.

Questions to Ask Property Management

  • Does this address receive Cary municipal cart service?
  • Which carts are assigned to my unit?
  • Who pays for additional carts or special pickup?
  • Where are carts stored between collections?
  • Who schedules furniture and appliance removal?
  • Does the property use a private hauler or shared dumpster?

Cary Waste Item Checker

Select an item to see the best Cary starting route.

Common Cary Collection Mistakes

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Wrong recycling week

Garbage is weekly, but recycling is every other week.

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Bagged recycling

Accepted recyclables belong loose in the cart.

Set-out after 7 AM

The collection truck may already have passed.

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Cart facing backward

The arrows on the lid should point toward the street.

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Plastic yard bags

Cary accepts paper bags, qualifying containers and tied bundles.

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Soil or rocks in yard waste

Mixed piles are rejected.

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Unscheduled furniture

Bulky trash requires a Cary 311 appointment.

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Appliance in bulky pile

Appliances use their own collection and fee category.

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Planning a 2027 Dixon trip

Public access permanently closes after December 30, 2026.

Cary Collection-Day Checklist

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Night-before checklist

  • Check Cary Collects for the address.
  • Confirm whether recycling is due.
  • Review any holiday or storm notice.
  • Bag normal household garbage.
  • Leave recycling loose.
  • Prepare yard waste within size limits.
  • Keep appointment-only items on private property.
  • Move carts out no earlier than dusk.
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Before 7 AM

  • Arrows point toward the street.
  • Carts remain out of the roadway.
  • Mailboxes, poles and hydrants are clear.
  • Yard waste is separated from carts.
  • No plastic yard bags are present.
  • Bulky items have an appointment.
  • Appliances use the correct service.
  • The collection area is safe and visible.

Related Local Pickup Guides and Tools

Trash Pickup Help Tools

Holiday-delay, missed-pickup, bulky-item and recycling decision helpers.

Raleigh Trash Pickup Schedule

Use when the property has a Raleigh address or Raleigh Solid Waste service instead of Cary collection.

Official Cary Collection Resources

Cary Collects

Address schedule, personalised calendar, reminders and Waste Wizard.

Garbage Collection

Weekly garbage, bulky fees, appliance service and special disposal guidance.

Curbside Recycling

Every-other-week service, loose recycling and oil-collection instructions.

Yard Waste

Container, bag, branch, pile-volume and chipper-service limits.

Citizen’s Convenience Center

Hours, restrictions, fees and the December 30, 2026 closure notice.

Cary 311 Requests

Bulky pickup, appliance collection, missed service, carts and resident assistance.

Cary Trash Pickup Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my Cary trash pickup schedule?

Enter the complete service address in Cary Collects. It shows the weekly garbage and yard-waste day, the next recycling date and current holiday changes.

Is Cary garbage collected every week?

Yes. Cary collects normal household garbage weekly from the Town-provided rollout cart.

How often is Cary recycling collected?

Cary recycling is collected every other week on the same assigned weekday as garbage and yard waste.

Is Cary yard waste collected weekly?

Yes. Properly prepared residential yard waste is collected weekly on the normal garbage day.

What time must Cary carts be outside?

Place carts at the curb no earlier than dusk the night before and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day.

When must Cary carts be removed?

Remove emptied carts from the curb before 6:00 a.m. the day after collection.

Can I print a Cary trash pickup calendar?

Yes. Search the address in Cary Collects, open the personalised calendar and use the print option. A browser may also allow the calendar to be saved as a PDF.

Does Cary have a garbage and recycling app?

Yes. The official Cary Collects app is available for Apple and Android devices and provides schedules, reminders and item-disposal searches.

Does every Cary holiday delay trash collection?

No. Some holidays delay service and others do not. Check the personalised Cary Collects calendar for the exact address and holiday week.

How much does Cary bulky trash pickup cost?

The current fee is $15 for the first approved bulky item and $8 for each additional approved item collected during the same trip.

How are appliances collected in Cary?

Appliances require a separate appointment. Current published curbside fees are $20 for the first appliance and $10 for each additional appliance.

What can I do with garbage that does not fit in the cart?

Request a paid special collection, order an additional garbage cart or use an approved resident drop-off option while it remains available.

How much is an additional Cary garbage cart?

The current published charge for an additional solid-waste cart is $4 per month.

Can I use plastic bags for Cary yard waste?

No. Use approved paper bags, qualifying reusable containers or properly tied bundles.

What are Cary’s branch-bundle limits?

Bundles may be up to four feet long and 24 inches in diameter, with no individual limb over four inches in diameter.

When does Cary’s Citizen’s Convenience Center close?

The final public-access day is December 30, 2026. The closure does not currently change normal curbside collection.

How do I report a missed Cary pickup?

Check Cary Collects and preparation rules first, then dial 311 in Cary or call 919-469-4000 from outside Town limits.

Does Cary provide cart assistance for disabled residents?

Yes. Qualifying residents may apply for curbside assistance using a form that includes physician verification.

Final Cary Collection Plan

Search the exact address in Cary Collects and save the weekly garbage and yard-waste weekday, the next recycling date and any holiday change.

Put carts outside after dusk the night before and before 7:00 a.m. Point the lid arrows toward the street, keep carts out of the roadway and leave space around mailboxes, hydrants, poles and yard waste.

Keep garbage bagged inside the garbage cart and recycling loose inside the recycling cart. Use paper bags, approved containers or tied bundles for yard waste.

Schedule furniture, appliances, motor oil and cooking oil through Cary 311. Use Cary Collects before handling electronics, paint, propane, construction debris or another unusual item.

Remember that public access to the Citizen’s Convenience Center ends after December 30, 2026, while regular curbside collection is currently expected to continue.

Independent guide notice

Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident information website. It is not affiliated with Cary, Cary 311, Wake County or a collection contractor. It cannot access a utility account, dispatch a truck, approve a bulky pickup or change a route.

Verify final collection dates, charges, material acceptance and service alerts through Cary’s official tools before acting.

Franklin TN Trash Tools

Holiday calculator  |  Buck-A-Bag counter  |  Recycling checker

My regular trash pickup day
How it works: Select your pickup day above. The tool will show every 2026 holiday that affects your Franklin trash collection and your new pickup date for that week.
Number of extra bags (beyond your cart)
0 3 bags
3
Stickers needed
$3.00
Total cost
$1.00
Per bag
3 bags: Buy 3 stickers. Attach one to the outside of each bag — where the crew can see it immediately. Place all 3 bags curbside next to (not inside) your cart by 7:00 AM.
Where to buy Buck-A-Bag stickers
Franklin City Hall
109 Third Ave S, Franklin TN 37064
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Select Retail Stores
Walmart and Dollar General locations
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm
🔍
Number 1 mistake: Plastic bags in the blue cart. They jam sorting machines and send entire truckloads to landfill. Take them to Kroger, Publix, or Target drop-off bins instead.