Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Goldsboro
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 (or Town-issued Rollout Cart) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the rollout cart to prevent littering. Carts must be placed at the curb with the lid opening facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard household refuse
Blue or Tan (Town-issued Rollout Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loose in the cart. Do not bag recyclables. All cardboard boxes must be broken down to ensure the cart lid closes completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Glass (varies by private contract route)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper yard bags or an unlined reusable container. No plastic bags are allowed. Branches must be cut to 4 feet in length and bundled securely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Hedge trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled Route Days
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. Ensure there is a 3-foot clearance around the bulk pile so the collection trucks can safely operate their mechanical arms.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large bulky household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods (refrigerators, washers, freezers)
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
Extremely large cleanouts or construction debris piles are not covered under standard municipal fees and must be hauled to the Wayne County Landfill by the homeowner or a private contractor.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Most US cities (including Goldsboro) shift trash and recycling pickup one weekday later for the rest of the week following a federal holiday. If a holiday falls on a weekend, schedules typically remain unchanged.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections will also be delayed by one day during holiday weeks.
Download the Goldsboro 311 app to receive automatic push notifications regarding specific holiday route changes for your address.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Recyclables Unbagged
Never put your recycling in a plastic garbage bag. Plastic bags jam the sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Keep all paper, plastics, and cans loose in your recycling cart.
No 'Wishcycling' Heavy Metals
Do not place metal car parts, wire hangers, or scrap metal into your curbside recycling bin. These items are dangerous for sanitation workers. Bring all scrap metal to the Wayne County Landfill for free recycling.
Clean and Dry is the Rule
A single unrinsed milk jug or half-full soda bottle can ruin a whole batch of clean paper. Please empty and give a quick rinse to all bottles and cans before tossing them in the bin.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, keep all leaf piles away from storm drains and parked cars. Always use paper leaf bags rather than plastic to ensure pickup by the yard waste crews.
Summer
June to AugustDue to high temperatures and humidity in eastern North Carolina, it's highly recommended to double-bag food waste to reduce odors and prevent maggots in your rollout cart.
Hurricane Season
August to OctoberIf a severe tropical storm or hurricane is projected to impact Wayne County, secure your trash and recycling carts indoors or tie them down to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
About Goldsboro Waste Management
Goldsboro's Route-Based Curbside Collection
The City of Goldsboro manages residential solid waste through a designated route-based system, running Monday through Friday. Whether you live near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base or closer to the Neuse River, your specific pickup day is tied to your street address. Carts should be placed at the curb the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to ensure timely service.
Partnering with Wayne County for Comprehensive Disposal
While Goldsboro handles standard curbside pickups, the city heavily relies on the Wayne County Solid Waste Department for overflow and specialized disposal. Items like large appliances (white goods), tires, and electronics are banned from standard landfill disposal and curbside bins. Goldsboro residents must transport these items to the Wayne County Landfill in Dudley or one of the designated convenience centers.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Heavy Debris
If you are cleaning out a garage or replacing old furniture, be aware that mixing yard waste with bulk items can delay your pickup. The city requires these materials to be separated into distinct piles. For extremely large volumes or hazardous materials like construction debris, you cannot use the curbside service; these must be hauled directly to the Wayne County Landfill.
Yard Waste Preparation Guidelines
Goldsboro expects yard debris to be properly prepared to keep neighborhood streets clean and prevent storm drain blockages. Small yard debris, such as grass clippings and leaves, should be placed in biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers—never in plastic bags. Tree limbs and branches must be cut to specific lengths and bundled for the crews to safely load.
The Convenience of the Goldsboro 311 App
To modernize its public works tracking, the city encourages residents to use the Goldsboro 311 application. Available on both iOS and Android, this app allows you to report missed trash and recycling pickups, check holiday schedule changes, and request cart repairs directly from your smartphone without waiting on hold with the utility office.
Drop-off Facilities
Wayne County Solid Waste Landfill
460 B S Landfill Road, Dudley, NC 28333
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Goldsboro?
The most efficient way to report a missed residential trash or recycling pickup is by using the Goldsboro 311 mobile app. You can also call the City of Goldsboro Public Works or utility billing office at 919-580-4340.
Where can I throw away my old TV or computer?
Electronics are banned from North Carolina landfills and cannot be placed in your green trash cart or bulk pile. You must take televisions, computers, and other e-waste to the Wayne County Landfill located in Dudley.
Can I put yard waste in black plastic garbage bags?
No, Goldsboro requires all yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings, to be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or placed loosely in an unlined, reusable container. Plastic bags will not be collected.
What happens to my pickup day on Thanksgiving?
Since Thanksgiving is an observed federal holiday, all collection routes scheduled for Thursday and Friday will be pushed back by one day. Thursday's route will be collected on Friday, and Friday's route will be collected on Saturday.