Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Boone
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your street route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on the same day of the week as your trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Residents receive 3 free on-call curbside pickups per year for yard debris, brush, leaves, or junk (scheduled via Citizen Service Request), plus annual curbside leaf collection from mid-October through mid-December and Christmas tree collection during the first two weeks of January.
Set Out Time
After dusk the evening before or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
The Town of Boone bills monthly for water and sewer utilities (bills go out on the 1st and are due on the 20th), while residential trash and recycling collections are provided under contract with Republic Services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Bank Draft (Auto-Pay), Mail, In Person
Standard Republic Services Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed entirely inside the cart. The cart must be positioned at least 4 to 5 feet away from trees, mailboxes, and parked cars to allow the automated arm to safely empty the container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard packaging materials
96-Gallon Republic Services Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart (no plastic bags). Collection occurs on a bi-weekly basis on the same day as your standard trash pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓All plastic bottles and containers (#1 through #7)
- ✓Rigid plastics (toys, buckets, plant pots)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper, catalogs, and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags, films, or wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ropes, hoses, cords, tarps, or wire
- ✕Clothing or fabric
- ✕Glassware, mirrors, or window glass
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put yard waste in your trash or recycling carts. Use one of your three free annual Citizen Service Requests to have Public Works collect yard debris from your curb, or utilize the free fall leaf pickup program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and tree limbs
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓General yard debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Three free pickups per year by request
Placement
Do not place bulky items at the curb until your requested pickup date has been confirmed via the Citizen Service Request system.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and household junk
- ✓ Yard debris and brush
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste, electronics, and paint
- ✕ Tires (unless taken to the county facility)
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
Residents are allowed three free collections annually. Exceeding this limit or requiring massive cleanouts may necessitate hauling waste to the Watauga County Transfer Station, where tipping fees may apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services operates a highly reliable schedule in Boone and only closes for Christmas Day. Sanitation and recycling services will be collected exactly as scheduled on all other federal and state holidays throughout the year.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste and bulk collections are fulfilled by the Town of Boone Public Works rather than Republic Services, these specific appointments are subject to municipal administrative holiday closures.
When Christmas causes a schedule delay, the revised collection timeline is published in local newspapers and broadcasted on local radio stations the week prior to the holiday.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchIn the event of severe mountain ice and snow, Republic Services will attempt to run the regular sanitation and recycling routes if the streets are safely passable [2.1.1]. However, collections may operate on a delayed basis until roads are cleared.
Autumn
October to DecemberTake advantage of Boone's free fall leaf curbside pickup program, which generally runs from mid-October to mid-December (specifically scheduled from October 15 to December 13 for 2026). Rake leaves to the curb edge, keeping them clear of storm drains.
Summer
June to SeptemberProperty maintenance is strictly enforced from June 1 through September 30. Ensure your grass remains under eight inches to avoid a $100 repeat violation fine, unless you are actively cultivating an approved native pollinator yard.
Local Tips & Community Info
High Country Garbage Protocols
Living in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings unique responsibilities, especially when it comes to waste management. The Town of Boone Public Works Department oversees municipal solid waste collection for all eligible residences. To ensure smooth service along the steep and winding local roads, residents must place their rollout garbage carts at the edge of the street by 8:00 a.m. on their designated pickup day. Because the region is home to a robust black bear population, it is highly recommended to keep trash securely indoors or in a garage until the morning of collection. Bagging your household waste tightly is also mandated to minimize odors and prevent wildlife from scattering debris across your neighborhood.
Navigating Curbside Recycling in Boone
Environmental conservation is deeply ingrained in the local culture. Boone provides curbside recycling services to help divert reusable materials away from the Watauga County landfill. Residents are issued a separate recycling bin for acceptable items, which include clean aluminum cans, steel tins, cardboard boxes, and rigid plastic jugs. Unlike some neighboring counties, you must avoid putting glass in the curbside bin if current local sorting rules prohibit it; always check the latest public works guide. It is absolutely crucial to leave your recyclables loose. Do not bundle them in plastic grocery bags, as the flexible film causes massive mechanical jams at the regional materials recovery facility.
Scheduling Heavy Trash and Appliance Removal
Disposing of a broken washing machine, a heavily used mattress, or an old couch requires a bit of forethought in Boone. Large items cannot simply be abandoned on the sidewalk. Instead, property owners must contact the Public Works office directly to arrange a special bulk waste pickup. Depending on the specific item being discarded, a collection fee may be added to your municipal utility bill. When disposing of large household appliances, state safety mandates require the complete removal of refrigerator and freezer doors to protect children and pets from accidental entrapment. Hazardous chemicals, tires, and construction lumber are strictly prohibited and must be hauled to the county convenience center.
Brush Collection and Leaf Vacuuming
Keeping your mountain property well-maintained is supported by the town's seasonal yard debris services. Municipal crews will collect brush, tree limbs, and shrub trimmings provided they meet strict dimensional limits. Branches should be trimmed to lengths no greater than six feet and stacked neatly parallel to the roadway, avoiding ditches and storm drains. During the autumn months, when the foliage heavily drops, the town operates leaf vacuum trucks. Homeowners should rake their loose leaves to the curb edge. It is vital to ensure that no rocks, heavy soil, or trash are mixed into the leaf piles, as these objects will destroy the vacuum equipment.
Winter Weather and Snow Delays
Winter in Boone often brings heavy snowfall and icy conditions, which can severely impact sanitation routes. The safety of the driving crews is a top priority. When ice accumulations or snowstorms make the steep neighborhood roads impassable for heavy refuse trucks, the town will temporarily suspend garbage collection. These weather-related delays are promptly communicated through the official Town of Boone website and local radio broadcasts. Once the roads are treated and deemed safe by the public works department, crews will work diligently to complete the missed routes, often pushing the remaining weekly schedule back by one or two business days.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Boone Public Works (Recycling Drop-Off)
321 E. King St, Boone, NC 28607
Materials Accepted
Watauga County Solid Waste Transfer Station & Landfill
336 Landfill Road, Boone, NC 28607
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my trash cart out in Boone?
To guarantee collection, your rollout cart must be placed at the curb by 8:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
How do I protect my garbage from bears?
The town recommends keeping your trash carts inside a garage or secured shed until the actual morning of collection to avoid attracting local black bears to your property.
Will my trash be picked up if it snows?
During severe winter weather, collection may be delayed for safety reasons. Always check the town's official website for real-time updates regarding snow-related route suspensions.