Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cary
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste, recycling, and yard waste service fees are bundled into your monthly Town of Cary utility bill alongside water and sewer charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online (DigiPay), Auto-Pay/Bank Draft, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The Oasis program provides financial assistance to eligible residents experiencing hardship, and curbside collection assistance is available for qualified individuals with medical limitations.
Brown/Gray Town-issued roll-out cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be sealed in plastic bags before being placed inside the cart. Set out by 7 a.m. on collection day with the lid opening facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Extinguished ashes
- ✓Medical waste/syringes (must be securely contained in a puncture-proof plastic bottle)
Blue 95-gallon Town-issued roll-out cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose in the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables. Collection occurs every other week on your regular trash day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Metal food and drink cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs (keep caps on)
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam (foam)
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Place in reusable containers with handles (up to 32 gallons/25 lbs), paper bags (max 25 lbs), or securely tied bundles. Limbs must be under 4 feet long and 4 inches thick.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Place requested items at the curb by 7 a.m. on your specifically scheduled special collection day, keeping them clear of your standard rollout carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Gas grills (tanks removed)
- ✓ Refrigerators and large appliances (additional fees apply)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Contractor or commercial construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dirt and rocks
The bulky trash pickup fee is $15 for the first item and $8 for each additional item on the same trip. Appliances are also collected for a separate fee, which is added to your utility bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a recognized town holiday occurs, solid waste and recycling collection schedules are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is generally subjected to the same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling, but always confirm via the Cary Collects app.
The Town of Cary does not exercise authority over standard calendar holidays that fall on weekends unless specifically designated. Use the Waste Wizard to confirm your exact holiday pickup day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to MarchThe Town of Cary conducts a specialized annual loose-leaf collection program during these months. Residents can rake leaves just behind the existing curbline (off the street pavement) for vacuum collection, bypassing the usual bagging requirements.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected at the curbside. Residents should check the Cary Waste Wizard for specific January pickup dates and must remove all tinsel, lights, ornaments, and tree stands before setting the tree out.
Summer/Fall
Hurricane SeasonFollowing severe storms or hurricanes, standard yard waste collection rules and schedules may be temporarily altered. The town may deploy specialized chipper services for downed limbs exceeding the standard 4-foot length limit.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Collection Rules for Cary Neighborhoods
In the Town of Cary, residential waste management is prioritized for efficiency and neighborhood aesthetics. The town provides standardized rollout carts for weekly garbage collection. To ensure seamless service, residents must roll their carts to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. Placement is heavily regulated to accommodate automated trucks: allow at least three feet of clearance between your cart, recycling bin, mailboxes, and parked cars. To maintain the town's tidy appearance, local ordinances dictate that all empty bins must be removed from the curb and stored out of public view by 6:00 a.m. the day following your pickup.
Recycling Operations and the Cary Collects App
Cary manages a robust, bi-weekly single-stream recycling program. To make navigating the alternating schedule effortless, the town strongly encourages residents to download the free 'Cary Collects' mobile app, which pushes customized reminders directly to your smartphone. All acceptable recyclables, such as corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, glass containers, and plastic jugs, should go loosely into your designated recycling cart. The town strictly prohibits the inclusion of plastic shopping bags, styrofoam, and tangible hazards like wires or hoses, as these materials cause severe mechanical jams at the regional sorting plant.
Preparing Organic Debris for Weekly Pickup
Because Cary prides itself on lush, tree-lined neighborhoods, managing organic debris is a major municipal focus. Yard waste is collected every single week, but it must be properly prepared. Residents are required to use biodegradable paper yard bags or reusable containers with a maximum capacity of 32 gallons. Each bag or container must weigh less than 50 pounds. For larger brush, limbs must be cut to four feet or less in length, securely tied with twine into manageable bundles, and placed completely separate from your household garbage.
The Citizen's Convenience Center & Bulky Waste
When you have extra refuse that simply won't fit in your weekly cart, Cary offers a unique local solution. Residents have free access to the Citizen's Convenience Center located on Dixon Avenue, where they can drop off excess household trash, oversized cardboard, and specific recyclables. For heavy items like old furniture, mattresses, or white goods that you cannot transport yourself, the town offers scheduled curbside bulky waste collections for a nominal fee. You can easily arrange this specialized pickup through the Cary Collects app or by dialing the town's 311 support center.
Adjustments for Municipal Holidays
The Town of Cary recognizes several major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During these observed dates, public works crews halt standard operations to spend time with their families. Consequently, sanitation routes are typically pushed forward by a single day for the remainder of the holiday week. For example, if a holiday falls on a Wednesday, Wednesday collections will occur on Thursday, and the normal Friday route will be serviced on Saturday. The Cary Collects app will automatically adjust to reflect these seasonal shifts.
Drop-off Facilities
Citizen's Convenience Center (Permanently Closing Dec 30, 2026)
313 N. Dixon Ave, Cary, NC 27513
Materials Accepted
Wake County Convenience Center Site 3
266 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
Materials Accepted
South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility
6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex, NC
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I drop off extra garbage if my rollout cart is completely full?
Cary residents can personally dispose of excess household waste, large cardboard, and recycling at the Citizen's Convenience Center located at 313 N. Dixon Avenue.
What time does my trash need to be placed at the curb in Cary?
All garbage and recycling carts must be placed at the edge of the street by 7:00 a.m. on your specific collection day to guarantee municipal pickup.
How do I know which week is my recycling week?
The easiest way to track your alternating recycling schedule is by downloading the free 'Cary Collects' smartphone app, which provides customized digital calendars and push notifications.