Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Indian Trail
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.
Beige Bin (Trash)
All residential garbage must be securely placed in tied bags within the beige cart. Place carts at the curb between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with wheels and handles facing away from the street, at least 3 feet from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Pizza boxes with food residue
- ✓Styrofoam
Navy Blue Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the navy blue cart. Rinse all containers. Glass cannot be placed in the recycling cart and must be taken to designated drop-offs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics 1-7
- ✓Aluminum and metal food cans
- ✓Cardboard boxes (broken down)
- ✓Cereal and food boxes
- ✓Magazines and phone books
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags, film, or wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Aerosol or paint cans
- ✕Clothing or fabric
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like pizza boxes)
- ✕CFL light bulbs
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in clear plastic bags or brown biodegradable paper bags (under 35 lbs each). Limbs must be under 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter, and tied in bundles. Collected bi-weekly on your non-recycling week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush and limbs
- ✓Vegetative material
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 times per year (February, May, August, and November)
Placement
Place items at least 3 feet away from your roll carts to prevent interference with automated collection trucks. Do not place items on top of the carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Toilets (bowl and seat separated)
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Electronics (E-waste)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Extra bags of regular trash
- ✕ Loose items, clothing, or small toys
- ✕ Large cardboard boxes (must be recycled)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
The quarterly pickup of up to 5 items is included in your standard municipal solid waste service. Extra disposal requires bringing items to a county landfill for a fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holidays may cause a one-day delay in solid waste services if they fall on or before your scheduled collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected on the same day as your regular service (on alternating weeks), it will follow the exact same one-day holiday delay schedule.
Always refer to the official Indian Trail Solid Waste Calendar online, as holiday schedules are subject to minor adjustments year over year.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Cart
Never place glass bottles or jars in your navy blue recycling cart. Indian Trail's curbside program does not accept glass; it shatters during collection and contaminates other recyclables. Take it to a drop-off site instead.
Use Clear Plastic for Yard Waste
If you are not using paper bags, you must use clear plastic bags for yard waste. The collection crews need to be able to see through the bag to ensure no household garbage or prohibited items are hidden inside.
No Plastic Grocery Bags
Do not bundle your recyclables in plastic shopping bags. These thin bags jam the sorting machinery at the recycling facility. Keep all approved recyclables loose in your cart.
Seasonal Information
Peak Fall
November to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, the town provides an expanded leaf pickup service, allowing residents to place up to 50 clear plastic or paper bags of leaves at the curb per pickup.
Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryNatural Christmas trees can be disposed of during your regular yard waste collection week. Ensure all lights, ornaments, stands, and tinsel are completely removed before setting the tree out.
Quarterly Cleanouts
February, May, August, NovemberBulk and e-waste collections only happen during these four months. Plan your major household cleanouts and electronic disposal around these specific collection windows.
About Indian Trail Waste Management
Navigating Waste Connections in Indian Trail
The Town of Indian Trail partners with Waste Connections to manage residential solid waste. Each household is issued a beige garbage cart for weekly trash and a navy blue cart for bi-weekly recycling. To prevent litter and maintain a clean community, the town requires all household trash to be securely bagged and tied before placing it into the beige cart. Carts must be positioned with the wheels facing away from the street, leaving at least three feet of clearance between them.
The Glass Rule for Curbside Recycling
Indian Trail's recycling program covers a wide array of materials, including plastics 1-7, metal, and cardboard. However, unlike many other municipalities in North Carolina, glass is strictly prohibited in your curbside navy blue cart. Residents must take glass bottles and jars to specialized glass recycling drop-offs located outside participating local grocery stores or to Union County recycling centers.
Bi-Weekly Yard Waste Collections
Yard waste in Indian Trail is collected bi-weekly on the opposite week of your recycling service. Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged in clear plastic or brown biodegradable paper bags, with each bag weighing less than 35 pounds. The clear plastic bags allow collection crews to verify there is no hidden trash mixed in. Limbs and brush must be bundled and tied, keeping them under 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter.
Quarterly Bulk and E-Waste Pickups
Instead of year-round bulk pick-up upon request, Indian Trail offers scheduled curbside bulk and e-waste collection four times a year: February, May, August, and November. During your designated week in these months, you may place up to five large items—such as appliances, furniture, and electronics—at the curb on your regular collection day without scheduling in advance.
Using Union County Convenience Centers
For large cleanouts, excess cardboard that won't fit in your recycling bin, or bulk disposal outside of the quarterly pickup months, residents can utilize Union County's Residential Waste and Recycling Centers. Facilities like the Austin Chaney Landfill in Wingate and the Armfield center in Monroe accept a broad range of materials, including household garbage, e-waste, and scrap metal, for small drop-off fees.
Drop-off Facilities
Austin Chaney Landfill and Residential Waste & Recycling Center
2125 Austin Chaney Road, Wingate, NC 28174
Materials Accepted
Armfield Residential Waste & Recycling Center
5109 Armfield Mill Road, Monroe, NC 28112
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass bottles in my recycling cart in Indian Trail?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited in the navy blue curbside recycling cart. Residents must take glass to specialized drop-off containers located outside participating grocery stores or to a Union County convenience center.
How do I get rid of an old couch or television?
Indian Trail provides free curbside bulk and e-waste collection four times a year: February, May, August, and November. You can place up to five large items at the curb on your scheduled service day during your designated week.
Are plastic bags allowed for yard waste collection?
Yes, but they must be clear plastic bags. Alternatively, you can use brown biodegradable paper bags. Clear bags allow the collection crews to ensure that no prohibited household garbage is mixed in with the yard waste.
Who do I contact if my trash cart is broken or my pickup was missed?
For missed pickups, damaged carts, or to request a new cart, you can submit a request through the town's online portal or call the Town of Indian Trail Customer Service line at 704-821-5401.