Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Huntersville
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same weekday as your trash pickup (following alternating Week A and Week B schedules).
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste services are contracted through the town and billed annually as a solid waste fee on your Mecklenburg County property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual (Included on Property Tax Bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax relief and homestead exclusions are available through Mecklenburg County for eligible seniors aged 65+ and permanently disabled residents; no separate town solid waste discounts are listed.
Grey Bin (Trash)
Place the grey cart curbside by 7:00 AM on your collection day with the lid fully closed. The handle must face your house. Maintain a 3-foot clearance from other carts, mailboxes, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and packaging
- ✓Cold, wrapped ashes
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Collection occurs bi-weekly. All recyclables must be placed loosely inside the blue cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Non-compliant carts will be tagged and left uncollected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (with caps)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly. Use the green yard waste cart. Up to 20 additional bags of leaves (max 40 gallons/50 lbs) are permitted per week. Total yard waste volume cannot exceed 4 cubic yards.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Tree limbs (max 6 feet long and 4 inches in diameter)
- ✓Weeds and natural yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Not provided via curbside town service
Placement
Do not leave bulky items or old appliances at the curb, as Waste Connections will not collect them. You must transport them directly to a Mecklenburg County disposal facility.
Accepted
- ✓ Items taken to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center:
- ✓ Appliances (white goods)
- ✓ Mattresses and furniture
- ✓ Oversized household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items not accepted at drop-off facilities:
- ✕ Hazardous waste (unless specifically permitted on designated days)
- ✕ Commercial contractor debris
Self-hauling items to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center may incur small tipping fees depending on the type and weight of the material being disposed of.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, curbside collection for garbage, recycling, and yard waste will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday routes collected on Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday shift as normal garbage. Ensure your green cart and bagged leaves are set out on the adjusted holiday schedule.
Always check the current Waste Connections schedule via the Town of Huntersville website to confirm exact holiday dates and shifts for the current year.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
October to JanuaryDuring peak leaf season, residents are permitted to place up to 20 bags of leaves curbside per week. Ensure leaves are free of sticks and other debris so they don't tear the bags or cause overweight issues.
Summer
June to AugustDuring summer grilling season, the Huntersville Fire Department urges residents to soak charcoal ashes in water and let them sit for at least 48 hours before wrapping them in foil and placing them in the combustible grey cart.
Post-Holiday
December and JanuaryNatural Christmas trees are collected as part of the weekly yard waste program. You must remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, wire, and the tree stand before placing it at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation Services and Waste Connections Partnership
The Town of Huntersville ensures a clean community by contracting its residential solid waste operations to Waste Connections. Under this municipal agreement, standard household garbage is retrieved once a week, while single-stream recycling is collected on a bi-weekly alternating schedule. To avoid missing the truck, homeowners are required to roll their town-approved bins to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled service day. Because routing can change based on weather or driver availability, setting your carts out the night before is highly recommended.
Cart Spacing and Proper Curbside Alignment
Waste Connections utilizes automated collection vehicles, which means the mechanical arms need plenty of room to grab and lift your bins safely. You must leave a minimum of three feet of horizontal clearance between your trash cart and your recycling cart. Additionally, keep all containers well away from fire hydrants, parked cars, utility boxes, and overhanging tree branches. The wheels should be placed flush against the curb with the lid opening facing the street, ensuring the refuse falls cleanly into the hopper without spilling onto your lawn.
Strict Preparation Rules for Yard Waste
Huntersville has very specific protocols for handling landscaping debris. You cannot dump loose leaves or grass clippings into your standard rolling trash bin. Instead, yard waste must be placed in clear plastic bags, biodegradable paper yard bags, or your own personal 32-gallon receptacle. For branches and tree limbs, residents must tie them tightly into bundles. These bundles cannot exceed four feet in length, and each individual bundle or bagged container must weigh less than 50 pounds to protect the manual loaders from injury.
Scheduling Appointments for Bulky Item Removal
Large items that cannot fit inside your rollout cart with the lid closed require a special approach. Rather than leaving an old mattress, broken sofa, or bulky appliance on the street corner, Huntersville residents must contact Waste Connections directly at 704-596-9428 to schedule a bulk pickup. White goods and certain electronics may have separate disposal regulations or require specific drop-off locations within Mecklenburg County, so it is always best to verify the item type with the dispatcher when booking your appointment.
Holiday Service Shifts and Delays
During major recognized holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, Waste Connections alters its standard operating hours. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that week will be delayed by 24 hours. For example, a Wednesday holiday shifts Wednesday pickups to Thursday, and Friday routes will be completed on Saturday. Normal schedules resume the following Monday, so keeping an eye on the town's official social media channels during holiday weeks is an easy way to stay informed.
Drop-off Facilities
North Mecklenburg Recycling Center
12300 N. Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Materials Accepted
North Mecklenburg Landfill (C&D Only)
15300 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to put my garbage out in Huntersville?
You must have your trash and recycling carts positioned at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection morning.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Bulky items require a scheduled pickup. You need to call Waste Connections directly at 704-596-9428 to arrange for the removal of large furniture.
Can I use town bins for my grass clippings and leaves?
No. Yard waste must be placed in clear plastic bags, paper yard waste bags, or personal 32-gallon containers, and limbs must be bundled under four feet in length.