Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Charlotte
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.
Gray Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged before placing it in the gray rollout cart. Place the cart within 6 feet of the curb with the handle facing the property by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable paper products
- ✓Dried paint cans (lids off)
- ✓Styrofoam (if not taken to a drop-off center)
- ✓Double-bagged pet waste and diapers
Green Cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loose in the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables. Collection is every other week on your assigned Green or Orange week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Wire hangers
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Place in paper yard bags or reusable containers (max 75 lbs). Do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Place items within 2 to 6 feet of the curb and at least 3 feet away from your rollout carts, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furnishings (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Lawn equipment (gas and oil removed)
- ✓ Appliances (requires specific appliance scheduling)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, pool chemicals, solvents)
- ✕ Dirt, rocks, and gravel
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Tires with rims still attached
Standard bulky waste scheduling is generally free for eligible residential addresses, but placing items curbside more than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup can result in fines starting at $150.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection is generally delayed by one day following a holiday. However, for MLK Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, Monday routes are suspended, and crews complete all pick-ups from Tuesday through Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is completely suspended during the weeks of MLK Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day to allow crews to focus on garbage and recycling.
Always leave your carts at the curb until they are collected during a holiday week. Use the CLT+ app or text your collection day to 73224 for automatic updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the Plastic Bags in Recycling
Bagging your recyclables in plastic grocery or garbage bags is the number one cause of contamination at the Metrolina Recycling Facility. Always leave your cans, glass, and cardboard completely loose in the green cart.
Keep Tanglers Out
Never place garden hoses, extension cords, or wire hangers in your green recycling cart. These items are 'tanglers' that wrap around the sorting equipment, causing severe facility shutdowns and safety hazards.
Styrofoam Belongs in the Gray Cart
While clean, rigid foam can be dropped off at special Mecklenburg County full-service centers, it cannot be recycled in your curbside green cart. If you must throw it away at home, bag it and place it in your gray garbage cart.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December to mid-JanuaryThe city provides curbside Christmas tree collection. Trees must be completely bare (no ornaments, lights, or stands) and placed at the curb on your regular yard waste collection day.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, remember that Charlotte requires all leaves to be placed in brown paper yard bags or reusable bins. Piles of loose leaves left directly on the street or in plastic bags will be tagged and ignored.
Spring
March to MaySpring cleaning often leads to an influx of bulky waste. Remember that you cannot place large furniture or appliances at the curb without an appointment. Use the CLT+ app to schedule these pickups in advance to avoid a $150 fine.
About Charlotte Waste Management
Understanding the Green and Orange Recycling Schedule
In Charlotte, residential garbage and yard waste are collected weekly, but recycling operates on a bi-weekly schedule divided into 'Green' and 'Orange' weeks. To ensure your recyclables are picked up, you must verify your designated color week using the My Charlotte Lookup tool or the CLT+ app. Putting your green recycling cart out on the wrong week will result in missed service.
New 2026 Monday Holiday Collection Pattern
Starting in 2026, the City of Charlotte has implemented a new protocol for specific Monday holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. On these weeks, Monday routes are completely suspended, and crews will work Tuesday through Friday to complete all pick-ups. Importantly, yard waste collection is completely suspended across the entire city during these three specific holiday weeks.
Strict Yard Waste Preparation Mandates
Charlotte strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. All leaves, grass clippings, and small brush must be placed in compostable brown paper yard bags or loose in a reusable personal container weighing no more than 75 pounds. Limbs and branches can be left loose at the curb, provided they meet the city's size and weight restrictions.
Managing Your Waste with the CLT+ App
The City highly encourages all residents to download the CLT+ app. This centralized mobile platform allows you to verify your trash day, receive real-time notifications about collection delays, and instantly schedule bulky item or appliance pickups. It's the fastest way to request a replacement if your rollout cart is damaged.
Accessing Mecklenburg County Full-Service Centers
For hazardous materials, excess cardboard, electronics, or food waste composting, Charlotte residents have access to Mecklenburg County's Full-Service Recycling Centers. Facilities like Compost Central and the Foxhole Drop-off Center take a wide variety of items that are strictly banned from your curbside gray garbage cart, including textiles, shredded paper, and rigid foam.
Drop-off Facilities
Compost Central and Recycling Center
140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte, NC 28214
Materials Accepted
Foxhole Recycling Center and Yard Waste
17131 Lancaster Highway, Charlotte, NC 28277
Materials Accepted
Hickory Grove Recycling Center
8007 Pence Road, Charlotte, NC 28215
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's a Green or Orange recycling week in Charlotte?
Charlotte recycling is collected every other week on an address-based color system. You can verify whether your home is on the Green or Orange schedule by looking up your address on the My Charlotte Lookup tool or by downloading the CLT+ mobile app.
Can I put my yard waste in black plastic garbage bags?
No. The City of Charlotte strictly prohibits plastic bags for yard waste. You must use compostable brown paper yard bags or place your leaves and grass clippings loose in a personal, reusable container that weighs 75 pounds or less.
What should I do if my garbage wasn't picked up on my regular day?
First, verify that it isn't a holiday week with a shifted schedule. If it is a normal week and your cart was out before 6:00 a.m. properly spaced from obstacles, wait until the end of the service day (after 5:00 p.m.) and report the missed pickup via the CLT+ app or by calling 311.
Is there a fee for bulky item pickup in Charlotte?
Standard residential bulky item collection is generally provided at no additional cost to eligible households paying the solid waste fee, but you must schedule it in advance via 311 or the CLT+ app. Placing items at the curb without an appointment, or more than 24 hours early, can result in a minimum $150 fine.