Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Apex
North Carolina residential routes run Monday through Friday. Please refer to your city or county zoning map for your specific curbside collection day.
State Mandate
NC DEQ strictly bans aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and electronics from landfill disposal.
Town-Issued Cart (GFL) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged and fit entirely inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Roll cart to the curb the night before collection and place 3 to 4 feet away from the recycling bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
Town-Issued Cart (GFL) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose in the cart (do not bag). Flatten all cardboard. Collection is bi-weekly on your scheduled garbage day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and chipboard
- ✓Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and foam plastics
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Textiles and clothing
Yard Waste Bin
Do not mix yard waste in trash carts. Collected curbside on the business day following your garbage collection. (Note: Shifts to a biweekly schedule beginning October 19, 2026).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Vines and brush
- ✓Tree limbs and branches
- ✓Christmas trees (decorations removed)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
All items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day. Fragile or breakable items like mirrors must be boxed or wrapped in plastic.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large household items
- ✓ Carpet (12x12 foot section equals one item)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (Fridays only)
- ✓ Moving boxes (if not flattened for the free pickup service)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction, demolition, and remodeling materials
- ✕ Toilets, vanities, and cabinets
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, laptops)
- ✕ Yard waste
Fees are added to your Town of Apex utility bill. $30 trip fee covers 1 or 2 items; 3+ items are $15 each. Mattresses/box springs incur an additional $15 each.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your garbage collection day falls directly on one of these holidays, garbage and recycling collection will be postponed to the following day and the rest of that same week will also be postponed by one day. Weekend holidays do not affect the schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is normally collected the business day following your garbage pickup, so its collection will shift accordingly alongside the delayed trash schedule.
For example, Thanksgiving Day always falls on Thursday, so Thursday's collection moves to Friday, and Friday's moves to Saturday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Loose
Never bag your recycling in plastic bags. Plastic bags severely jam the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility. Keep items loose in the cart, and take your plastic grocery bags to a local retail drop-off instead.
Break Down and Empty Boxes
To take full advantage of your recycling bin space, ensure all corrugated cardboard and chipboard boxes are completely empty, flattened, and broken down before disposal.
Keep Pumpkins Out of Regular Yard Waste
Pumpkins are considered food waste in Apex. During November and December, place them in your trash cart, drop them at the Public Works facility, or leave them for the specialized first-week curbside collection—do not mix them with normal yard debris.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - JanuaryChristmas trees are collected and chipped curbside as part of your regular yard waste collection route. Ensure you remove all decorations, lights, and nails from the stand before placing the tree at the curb.
Summer/Fall
June - NovemberDuring hurricane season and severe weather events, collection delays are common. If service is suspended, leave your carts at the curb. Crews will resume routes as soon as road conditions allow, which may take several days.
Fall 2026 Transition
OctoberTake special note that beginning October 19, 2026, residential yard waste collection in Apex will officially transition from a weekly service to a biweekly schedule.
About Apex Waste Management
Coordinated Multi-Agency Collection System
The Town of Apex utilizes a blended approach for solid waste management. Standard household garbage and bi-weekly recycling are managed through a contract with GFL Environmental (formerly Waste Industries). Meanwhile, the Town of Apex Public Works Department personally handles residential yard waste and specialized bulk item pickups. This dual-provider system allows the town to offer robust, customized services for both routine and oversized disposal needs.
Automated Cart Rules and Clearance Requirements
Because GFL relies on automated trucks equipped with mechanical arms, there are strict rules regarding cart placement and capacity. All garbage must fit completely inside your rolling trash cart with the lid fully closed. The automated arm cannot collect loose overflow bags placed on the ground. Additionally, residents must leave 3 to 4 feet of clearance between the trash and recycling carts to ensure the truck's equipment can grasp each bin without interference or damage.
Scheduling Fee-Based Bulk Item Pickups
Unlike some municipalities that offer free large-item sweeps, the Town of Apex Public Works Department provides bulk item collection by appointment for a specialized fee. Residents must submit an online request or call Ask Apex to schedule a pickup. The cost—starting with a $30 trip fee for the first two items—is added directly to your town utility bill. Note that mattresses and box springs incur additional processing fees and are collected exclusively on Fridays.
Navigating Storm and Weather Delays
Apex is prone to severe coastal storms and winter weather that can temporarily disrupt scheduled collections. Following inclement weather, public works crews may shift focus to yard waste and debris clearing. If normal garbage routes are suspended, the town implements a rolling delay. Because recovery times are unpredictable, residents are advised to place their carts at the curb on their regular day and leave them out until crews can safely complete the route, even if it takes several days.
Local Convenience at South Wake Facilities
For items not permitted in residential curbside carts—such as construction debris, household hazardous waste, or electronic waste—Apex residents are fortunate to be located near the South Wake Landfill and Convenience Center Site 2 on Old Smithfield Road. This Wake County facility offers a secure, environmentally compliant drop-off point for televisions, computers, clean textiles, and excess materials, ensuring they are diverted from standard landfill cells and processed responsibly.
Drop-off Facilities
South Wake Multi-Material Recycling & Convenience Center Site 2
6120 / 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex, NC 27539
Materials Accepted
South Wake Landfill
6300 Old Smithfield Road, Apex, NC 27539
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a mattress or large furniture in Apex?
Bulk items like furniture and mattresses are collected by the Town of Apex Public Works Department for a fee. You must schedule an appointment online or by calling 919-249-3311. A $30 trip fee covers your first two items, with an additional $15 per mattress. Mattresses are only collected on Fridays.
What happens to my garbage pickup during a holiday week?
If your normal collection day falls on or after a major town-observed holiday (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Memorial Day), your service will be delayed by one day. For example, a Thursday pickup will shift to Friday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, your regular schedule remains unchanged.
Can I leave extra bags of trash next to my cart if it's full?
No. The GFL garbage trucks use an automated mechanical arm to empty the carts. All trash must fit completely inside your bin with the lid securely closed. Overflow bags placed on the ground will be left behind and could result in a missed collection.
Where can I throw away an old television or computer in Apex?
Electronics like TVs and laptops are strictly prohibited in your curbside garbage and are not accepted during bulk item pickups. However, Wake County residents can safely dispose of these items for free at the South Wake Multi-Material Recycling facility, conveniently located at 6130 Old Smithfield Road in Apex.