Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hickory
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 Rollout Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed inside the green rollout. Place the bin on a level surface within 2 feet from the curb and at least 5 feet away from obstructions, with the arrows pointing to the street, before 7 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue Rollout Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the blue rollout container. Never overfill the bin, and ensure it is out by 7 a.m. on your designated A or B week collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (rinsed)
- ✓Metal cans (rinsed)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (green, brown, clear)
- ✓Paper (newspaper, junk mail, magazines)
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Fiberboard boxes (cereal and snack boxes)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Food waste and candy wrappers
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hangers)
- ✕Glassware and light bulbs
- ✕Clothing or fabric
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in clear plastic bags or a 32-gallon container marked 'Yard Waste.' Never put yard waste inside your green or blue rollouts. Loose leaves are only permitted during the fall vacuum collection season.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrubbery trimmings
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on the same day as residential garbage pickup.
Placement
Place bulky items at the curb before 7 a.m. Ensure they are at least 5 feet away from your rollout containers, low-hanging wires, and vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and building materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Dirt and sand
- ✕ Yard waste
Appliances are collected separately on Thursdays and require calling 828-323-7500 in advance to schedule the special pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after a major observed holiday, pickup services are typically delayed by one weekday for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk items are collected on your regular garbage day, meaning they will also follow the one-day holiday delay.
Residents are encouraged to check the 'City Snippets' newsletter mailed with water bills or the town website for exact schedule shifts around major holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The fastest way to ruin a load of recycling in Hickory is by placing it in a plastic garbage bag. Keep all items loose in your blue rollout, as plastic film jams the sorting machinery at the processing plant.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Blue Bin
Garden hoses, electrical cords, and metal hangers are known as 'tanglers'. They wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling facility, causing major safety hazards. Always toss these items in your green garbage cart.
Yard Waste Doesn't Belong in Rollouts
Do not place leaves or grass clippings in your green or blue rollout containers. Yard waste is banned from North Carolina landfills and will heavily contaminate the recycling stream.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberThe City of Hickory operates leaf vacuum trucks that make two rounds through the city. During this specific time, you do not need to bag your leaves; simply rake them to the curb.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustFrequent lawn maintenance means more yard waste. Remember that outside of the fall loose-leaf season, all grass clippings and trimmings must be contained in clear plastic bags or an approved 32-gallon can.
Winter Holidays
December to JanuaryWhen cleaning up after the holidays, remember that electronics, string lights, and batteries cannot go in your blue recycling bin. Take these items to a specialized e-waste drop-off or throw string lights in the green trash rollout.
About Hickory Waste Management
Managing Hickory's Residential Waste Services
The City of Hickory provides a full-service Sanitation Division for its residents, ensuring routine garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulk collections are handled efficiently. Standard household garbage is picked up weekly using a green rollout cart. To minimize litter and maintain a clean neighborhood, all trash must be bagged before it is tossed into the container and placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Bi-Weekly Recycling with the Blue Rollout
Hickory utilizes a bi-weekly collection schedule for recyclables via the blue rollout bin. The city is split into an A and B schedule, so you'll want to check the residential recycling map to confirm your assigned week. Remember to keep your recyclables completely loose, clean, and free of any plastic bags to prevent contamination at the recycling facility.
Appliance Pickups and Bulk Waste Rules
Navigating large item disposal is easy in Hickory. Standard bulky items like old furniture and mattresses can simply be placed at the curb on your regular trash day, ensuring they are at least five feet away from your rollout containers. However, if you are looking to get rid of large appliances, you must schedule a special Thursday pickup by calling the Public Services department in advance.
Yard Waste Guidelines and Fall Leaf Vacuums
Proper yard debris disposal is essential for keeping Catawba County beautiful. For most of the year, grass clippings and small branches must be stored in clear plastic bags or 32-gallon personal cans labeled 'Yard Waste.' But during the peak fall season, Hickory deploys specialized vacuum trucks, allowing residents to rake their loose leaves straight to the curb without bagging them.
Drop-off Facilities
Recycling Convenience Center
9th Ave NE (beside Fire Station #2), Hickory, NC
Materials Accepted
Solid Waste Transfer Station
1050 1st Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28601
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of old appliances in Hickory?
Appliances, also known as white goods, are not collected with standard weekly bulk waste. You must schedule a special appliance pickup for a Thursday by calling the Public Services department at 828-323-7500.
What are the rules for yard waste in Hickory?
For most of the year, yard waste like grass clippings and small branches must be placed in clear plastic bags or a 32-gallon container marked 'Yard Waste.' However, during the fall leaf collection season, residents can rake loose leaves to the curb for the city's vacuum trucks.
Where can I drop off recyclables if my blue rollout is full?
The City of Hickory operates two drop-off centers for extra recyclables. You can visit the Recycling Convenience Center on 9th Ave NE or the Solid Waste Transfer Station at 1050 1st Ave SW during their respective weekday operating hours.
Can I place yard waste in my green garbage rollout?
No. Yard waste is strictly banned from being placed in your green garbage rollout or blue recycling container. It is prohibited from entering the landfill and must be collected separately.