Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lexington
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are billed monthly through Lexington Utilities; physically disabled residents can apply for medical-exemption backyard rollout assistance.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, 24/7 Payment Kiosk, In-Person
Green Rollout Bin (Trash)
Must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. with handles facing the residence. Keep at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles and other carts. All trash must be bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue Rollout Bin (Recycling)
Collected bi-weekly. Do not bag recyclables. Items must fit easily without being jammed. Flatten oversized cardboard and leave it beside the rollout if it does not fit.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Glass
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household trash
Yard Waste Bin
Use the brown yard waste rollout cart with arrows pointing toward the street. Do not put dirt, bags, animal waste, or garbage inside. Place 3 feet away from other carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and sticks
- ✓Garden residue
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request / Scheduled
Placement
Place approved items at the curb or roadside clear of low-hanging wires, parked cars, or trees. Ensure they do not block pedestrian walkways or traffic.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Household appliances (white goods)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Stumps and large logs
Fees may apply depending on the volume and type of item being collected. Check the City of Lexington Fee Schedule for the most up-to-date pricing.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When a designated holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling services are generally delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is typically collected on your regular day, but is also subject to the one-day delay during holiday weeks. Check the annual RWC calendar for precise updates.
The city publishes an annual Recycling & Waste Collection (RWC) Calendar online that details exactly which weeks are 'Blue' or 'Green' and outlines all holiday route shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
October to FebruaryLexington runs a dedicated seasonal loose-leaf collection program. The city is divided into zones, and crews rotate through on two-week schedules. Rake leaves neatly to the curb, ensuring they are free of sticks and debris to avoid damaging the vacuums.
Winter
December to JanuaryHoliday schedules frequently alter collection days. Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are delayed by one day.
Spring/Summer
March to AugustPeak growing season means more yard debris. Remember that large brush piles cannot exceed 5 cubic yards per 30-day period. Limbs must be shorter than 5 feet and weigh under 75 pounds.
Local Tips & Community Info
Managing Your Household Garbage in Lexington
To keep the Barbecue Capital of the World looking its best, the City of Lexington provides dependable weekly solid waste collection for all residential properties. Homeowners are equipped with a standard rollout cart, which needs to be staged at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled morning of collection. The city's automated fleet requires proper positioning to function safely; therefore, the cart’s handle should point toward your house, leaving the lid opening facing the street. Always leave a buffer of at least three feet around the bin to prevent the mechanical arm from striking mailboxes, utility poles, or parked cars. Furthermore, the sanitation department mandates that all household refuse be securely contained within tied plastic bags before going into the cart to stop windblown litter.
Curbside Recycling Fundamentals
Environmental sustainability is a priority in Lexington, and the city facilitates this through a bi-weekly residential recycling program. Recycling carts are emptied every other week, and residents can easily determine their specific collection cycle by viewing the route map and calendar on the city's official website. You are encouraged to recycle flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum beverage cans, steel food tins, glass bottles, and rigid plastic containers. It is imperative that these items are tossed into the recycling bin loosely. Do not bag your recyclables, as plastic grocery bags and thin films become wrapped around the heavy sorting machinery at the processing center, leading to expensive mechanical breakdowns.
Disposing of Yard Debris and Leaves
Maintaining a neat landscape is highly encouraged, and Lexington supports property owners by offering routine yard waste collection. Municipal crews will collect small limbs, grass clippings, and brush as long as they are properly prepared. Tree branches must be cut to lengths of no more than six feet and cannot exceed four inches in thickness. Stack your yard debris neatly behind the curb line, taking care not to block sidewalks or drainage gutters. During the peak fall foliage season, the city conducts a specialized loose-leaf vacuum program. Residents should rake their leaves into long windrows, ensuring that dirt, rocks, and household trash are completely excluded to prevent damage to the vacuum equipment.
Bulky Waste and White Goods Pickup
When residents need to discard oversized items that simply will not fit into a standard garbage cart, the city provides a solution through its bulk waste service. Items such as worn-out sofas, mattresses, and large appliances (commonly referred to as white goods) can be collected at the curb. However, strict safety regulations apply. For instance, any discarded refrigerator or freezer must have its doors physically removed to eliminate the risk of accidental entrapment. Residents should note that construction materials from major home renovations, automotive parts, tires, and hazardous liquids are strictly banned from curbside collection and must be transported to a designated Davidson County waste facility.
Holiday Schedule Impacts and Missed Service
The routine sanitation schedule in Lexington is subject to modification during major recognized holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If your normal collection day falls on one of these holidays, your service will typically be shifted to the following business day. The city actively communicates these route adjustments via the local government website and official social media channels. If you adhered to the schedule and properly placed your cart by 6:00 a.m. but still experienced a missed pickup, you should contact the Lexington Public Services department by phone to report the oversight and request a prompt recovery collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Davidson County Landfill
220 Landfill Rd, Lexington, NC 27292
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my trash need to be on the curb in Lexington?
All rollout carts for garbage and recycling must be positioned at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Will the city pick up an old mattress for free?
Yes, the city collects bulky items like mattresses at the curb, but they must be placed clear of overhead wires and away from your regular trash carts.
Can I throw away wet paint or motor oil?
No. Hazardous materials like liquid paint and motor oil are prohibited from curbside pickup. They must be safely disposed of at a Davidson County hazardous waste drop-off site.