Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chapel Hill
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.
Green (65-gallon town-issued cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be placed inside tied garbage bags before being put in the cart. Place behind the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Cart must be removed from the curb by 7:00 PM to avoid a fine. Extra bags on the ground will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Pet waste (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is managed by Orange County. Have your cart at the street edge before 7:00 AM on your scheduled day. Keep items 3 to 5 feet away from other objects. Place all recyclables loose in the cart; never use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars (caps on)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (empty and rinsed)
- ✓Aluminum and steel food/beverage cans
- ✓Clean aluminum foil (crumpled)
- ✓Mixed paper, junk mail, magazines
- ✓Corrugated cardboard (flattened)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and clamshell containers
- ✕Tanglers (garden hoses, wires, hangers)
- ✕Ceramics, mirrors, and drinking glasses
- ✕Shredded paper, tissues, and paper towels
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in a Town-issued yard trimming cart. From November to January only, residents may also use up to 5 paper yard bags per week for leaves. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. Place behind the curb by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pine needles
- ✓Brush and limbs (under 4 feet long and 10 inches in diameter)
- ✓Natural yard and garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Requires pre-payment and scheduling)
Placement
Place items just behind the curb where crews can easily reach them. Do not block sidewalks, bike lanes, or lean items against dumpsters or mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✓ Fake Christmas trees (too large for carts)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large logs, stumps, and crossties
- ✕ Lot clearing debris
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid paint
- ✕ Dead animals (handled separately)
There is a $15 base fee covering 1 to 3 items, plus $5 for each additional item. Massive loose brush piles requiring the knuckleboom truck incur a flat $125 fee per load.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling schedules often shift by one weekday following an observed holiday. Friday routes are occasionally pushed to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trimmings collections are frequently canceled entirely for the duration of a holiday week, with no make-up day provided.
Because policies fluctuate based on the specific holiday, residents should always consult the Town of Chapel Hill's official Solid Waste Holiday Schedule online for exact dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Loose Trash in the Green Cart
Unlike recycling, which must be loose, Chapel Hill mandates that all household garbage and pet waste be securely tied inside trash bags before going into your green cart. This prevents litter from blowing around your neighborhood when the automated truck empties the bin.
Follow the 'Shape Rule' for Plastics
Orange County recycling asks you to ignore the confusing numbered recycling triangles on plastic items. They strictly follow the 'shape rule': only recycle plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars. If it's a plastic toy, a berry clamshell, or a plastic cup, throw it in the trash.
Zero Tolerance for Plastic Yard Bags
Never put grass clippings or leaves inside plastic garbage bags. The town will not collect them. Always use your town-issued yard cart, and during the winter leaf season, stick exclusively to biodegradable paper leaf bags.
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to JanuaryDuring peak leaf season, the town relaxes its cart-only rule slightly, allowing residents to place up to five paper bags of leaves at the curb per week alongside their town-issued yard cart.
Winter
JanuaryNatural, undecorated Christmas trees are collected curbside as yard waste. If your tree is artificial and cannot fit inside a trash bag in your cart, it must be scheduled and paid for as a bulky item pickup.
Winter
December to FebruarySevere winter weather can disrupt both Town trash and County recycling services. Collections may be delayed until roads are safely passable for heavy trucks, with priority given to clearing primary roadways.
About Chapel Hill Waste Management
Two-Tiered Waste Management in Chapel Hill
Living in Chapel Hill means dividing your waste duties between two different local governments. The Town of Chapel Hill Public Works department handles your weekly residential garbage and yard trimmings collections. However, all residential curbside recycling is managed regionally by Orange County Solid Waste Management. Because of this split, residents must rely on different contact numbers and distinct rules depending on which cart they are rolling to the curb.
Strict Cart Rules and the July 2026 Update
As of July 1, 2026, the Town of Chapel Hill implemented a major overhaul of its solid waste rules to increase efficiency and safety. The town no longer services personal trash cans. Every household must use the official town-issued 65-gallon green cart for garbage, and a specialized town-issued cart for yard waste. Any trash bags placed on the ground next to the cart, or waste thrown into unapproved bins, will be left at the curb uncollected.
Scheduling Bulky Items and Electronics Pickups
Gone are the days of free, unlimited curbside bulk collections. Chapel Hill residents must now proactively schedule and pay for the removal of large items like furniture, mattresses, and electronics. The town charges a $15 base fee which covers the collection of up to three bulky items, with an additional $5 fee for every item beyond that. Once the fee is paid via the town's online portal or by phone, crews generally remove the items within five business days.
Managing Yard Trimmings and the Knuckleboom Fee
Yard waste management requires careful attention to the town's policies. All routine yard trimmings, including grass clippings and small branches, must fit inside the official town-issued yard cart. If you generate a massive brush pile that requires the town's heavy-duty 'knuckleboom' truck, you will be hit with a flat $125 per-load fee. To avoid these fees, residents are permitted to haul up to one truckload of yard debris per weekend directly to an Orange County Waste Center for free.
The 'Leave Your Leaves' Eco-Initiative
Instead of bagging up fall foliage, Chapel Hill strongly encourages homeowners to take the 'Leave Your Leaves' pledge. By allowing leaves to naturally decompose in your yard—specifically by raking them under the drip lines of trees—you provide crucial winter habitats for pollinators like fireflies and Luna moths, create natural fertilizer, and reduce stormwater runoff. Residents who take the pledge even receive a reusable yard sign to show their neighborhood commitment to biodiversity.
Drop-off Facilities
Eubanks Road Waste and Recycling Center
1518 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Materials Accepted
Ferguson Road Neighborhood Satellite Center
1616 Ferguson Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call if my trash or recycling isn't picked up in Chapel Hill?
Because services are split, you must contact different departments. For missed garbage or yard waste carts, call the Town of Chapel Hill Public Works at (919) 969-5100. For a missed blue recycling cart, you must contact Orange County Solid Waste at (919) 968-2788.
Can I put a massive pile of loose branches at the curb for free?
No. The town charges a $125 knuckleboom truck fee for loose brush piles of any size that are placed at the curb. To avoid this fee, cut your branches down to fit inside your town-issued yard cart, or haul up to one truckload yourself to an Orange County Waste Center for free.
Why did the garbage truck leave my personal trash can on the curb?
As of a major policy update in July 2026, the Town of Chapel Hill no longer services personal trash cans. All residential household waste must be bagged and placed exclusively inside the official green 65-gallon town-issued roll cart.
How do I get rid of an old couch or TV in Chapel Hill?
You can no longer leave bulk items or electronics at the curb for free. You must contact the Town of Chapel Hill to pay a base fee of $15 (which covers up to three items) and schedule a pickup. Alternatively, Orange County residents can drop these items off at the Eubanks Road Waste and Recycling Center for free.