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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep all recyclables loose in your blue rollout container. Plastic bags tangle in the sorting machinery at the recycling facility and can ruin a whole batch of good recyclables.
Keep Construction Debris Out
Never place concrete, drywall, lumber, or any other construction debris into your green garbage rollout. The city trucks will not empty carts mixed with these heavy, non-collectible materials.
Strictly Organic Yard Waste
Your brown yard waste cart should only contain organic plant material. Any presence of dirt, rocks, plastic bags, or animal waste will result in your cart being rejected.
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.
About Lexington Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management in the Barbecue Capital
The City of Lexington’s Recycling & Waste Collection (RWC) Department operates a robust program to keep Davidson County clean. Providing municipal curbside collection for household garbage, recyclables, and yard waste, the city aims for maximum environmental protection. From specialized brown yard waste carts to blue recycling rollouts, residents have all the tools needed for efficient and sustainable home waste management.
Navigating Lexington's Green Garbage Rollout Rules
For standard household trash, residents use the city-issued green rollout container. All garbage must be securely bagged to prevent wind-blown litter and contain odors. You must wheel your cart to the curb, street, or roadside by 6:00 a.m. on your assigned collection day. Remember to position the cart with the handles facing your house, ensuring a minimum three-foot clearance from mailboxes, utility poles, and other rollouts for the automated arms to operate safely.
Bi-Weekly Blue Cart Recycling
Lexington utilizes a bi-weekly recycling schedule, dividing the city into 'blue' and 'green' weeks. On your designated week, place your blue recycling rollout at the curb alongside your regular trash. Ensure all items like plastic bottles, metal cans, and paper are loose—never bag your recyclables. Cardboard boxes should be flattened to maximize cart space and prevent jamming.
Yard Waste & Seasonal Loose Leaf Collection
Lexington makes yard debris disposal convenient through its brown yard waste rollout program and seasonal loose-leaf collection. The brown cart is strictly for grass, leaves, and small shrubbery clippings—absolutely no dirt, bags, or construction debris. For larger brush piles, the city allows up to five cubic yards of curbside collection within a 30-day period, provided the limbs are neatly stacked facing the same direction and do not exceed 5 feet in length or 75 pounds.
Drop-off Facilities
Davidson County Landfill
220 Landfill Rd, Lexington, NC 27292
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash out in Lexington, NC?
All city-issued rollout containers (green, blue, and brown) must be placed at the curb, street, or road no later than 6:00 a.m. on your assigned collection day.
How do I get a brown yard waste cart?
If you do not have a brown yard waste rollout and wish to participate in the program, you can contact the Public Services Administration at (336) 243-2489 to request one.
What is the 3-foot rule for garbage bins?
Lexington uses automated collection trucks. To allow the mechanical arms to grab your carts safely, you must leave a minimum of 3 feet of space between each cart, and keep them 3 feet away from utility poles, mailboxes, and vehicles.
Will the city pick up extra trash bags left next to my green cart?
No. All garbage must fit inside the closed green rollout container. The city will not collect trash placed outside or on top of the cart. If you regularly generate excess waste, you can rent an additional cart for a monthly fee.