Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kernersville
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.
Standard Town Garbage Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage should be bagged and placed in the provided cart. Ensure the lid is closed and the cart is at the curb by your designated collection time on service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam and packing peanuts
Standard Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Plastic items must be bottle-shaped or have screw-on tops.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1-#7, neck smaller than base)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper, cardboard, mail, and empty pizza boxes
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (brown, clear, green)
- ✓Rigid bulky plastic (crates, laundry baskets, toys)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic film and grocery bags
- ✕Yogurt or butter tubs
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Ropes, hoses, or natural fibers
- ✕Wood or wood products
- ✕Window or automotive glass
Yard Waste Bin
During the fall leaf season, place loose leaves behind the curb (not in the street). Do not mix rocks, limbs, or household trash into leaf piles. For year-round service, use the Town's Green Yard Cart program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Quarterly during scheduled Bulk Clean-Up weeks
Placement
Place items at the curb by your regular collection day during the designated bulk week. Keep items at least 3 feet away from your garbage carts, mailboxes, and utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large bulky household items
- ✓ White goods (may require separate truck)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
Bulk collection during the scheduled quarterly weeks is included for Town residents. Excessive amounts or out-of-cycle disposal can be taken to the McKaughan Street Drop-Off.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday collection shifts depend on the day. Often, a Monday holiday pushes Monday collection to Tuesday, with no changes for the rest of the week. Thursday holidays (like Thanksgiving) may push Thursday collection to Wednesday or Friday. Residents should check the Town's Red/Blue week calendar for exact dates.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and loose-leaf collection routes may be suspended or heavily delayed during holiday weeks, as crews are redirected to manage household garbage volume.
The Town of Kernersville heavily encourages residents to download the 'Kernersville Collects' mobile app to receive automatic push notifications regarding holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Check the Neck of Your Plastics
Kernersville has specific rules for plastic recycling: items must be bottle-shaped with a neck smaller than the base, or feature a screw-top [1.3.1]. Wide-mouth containers like yogurt tubs, sour cream containers, and butter tubs are not accepted and will contaminate the load.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Cart
Never place garden hoses, extension cords, or ropes in your recycling cart. Kernersville specifically prohibits ropes (including natural fiber ropes), as these items wrap around the sorting gears at the recycling facility and cause significant equipment damage.
Ditch the Plastic Cellophane
Plastic film, grocery bags, and cellophane wrappings cannot be processed in the town's single-stream recycling. Always place your approved recyclables loose in the bin. Take plastic grocery bags back to local retailers that offer specialized drop-off bins.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MarchBefore the Spring Bulk Clean-Up in April, Kernersville typically hosts a designated Electronics Recycling event in early March. This is the ideal time to safely dispose of old TVs and computers, which are banned from standard landfills.
Winter/Summer
January & JulyMark your calendars for the Winter and Summer Bulk Clean-Up weeks. Bulky items will only be picked up on your regular service day during these specific, town-scheduled weeks.
About Kernersville Waste Management
Municipal-Run Waste Services in Kernersville
The Town of Kernersville manages its own solid waste and recycling collection through the Public Services department on Michael Street [1.1.1]. Unlike neighboring municipalities that rely solely on private contractors, Kernersville's dedicated town crews handle household garbage, bi-weekly recycling, and specialized yard waste collection. The division is also highly active in the community, providing environmental education and green events at local schools.
Quarterly Bulk Clean-Up Weeks
Instead of offering year-round on-demand bulk pickup, Kernersville operates on a highly structured seasonal system. The town schedules four major Bulk Clean-Up events throughout the year—typically in January, April, July, and October. During these designated weeks, residents can leave bulky items like furniture and mattresses at the curb, and crews will collect them on their regularly scheduled trash day.
Loose-Leaf Vacuuming and Green Yard Carts
Yard waste management in Kernersville shifts with the seasons. For year-round disposal, residents can participate in the Town's Green Yard Cart program. However, from late October through December, the town deploys specialized vacuum trucks for loose-leaf collection. These trucks can reach up to 6 feet from the curb line, allowing residents to pile leaves safely on their property rather than blocking the street or sidewalks.
The McKaughan Street Convenience Drop-Off
For times when you have more waste than your cart can handle, or you miss a bulk clean-up week, Kernersville offers a localized solution. Residents within town limits can utilize the Convenience Drop-Off located at 720 McKaughan Street (Gate 3). Open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, the facility accepts extra household trash, metal, white goods, and yard debris. You must bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license or a recent utility bill, to use the site.
Drop-off Facilities
Kernersville Convenience Drop-Off
720 McKaughan St (Gate 3), Kernersville, NC 27284
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take extra garbage if my cart is full?
Residents inside the town limits can bring extra household garbage, bulk items, and yard waste to the Convenience Drop-Off at 720 McKaughan Street (Gate 3). It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You must bring a driver's license or utility bill to prove residency.
How do I dispose of leaves in the fall?
From late October to December, the town runs loose-leaf vacuum trucks. Place your leaves unbagged behind the curb on your property, not in the street or blocking sidewalks. Do not mix sticks, rocks, or trash into the leaf pile, or it will be rejected.
Can I put yogurt tubs in my recycling cart?
No. The Town of Kernersville only accepts plastic containers that are bottle-shaped (where the neck is smaller than the base) or containers with screw-top lids. Wide-mouth tubs, like those used for yogurt, sour cream, or butter, are not accepted and should be thrown in the regular garbage.