Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe
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 (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be bagged before being placed in the green cart. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and removed by 7:00 p.m. to avoid municipal violations.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable materials
- ✓Small broken household items
Black (96-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the black cart. Glass is strictly prohibited curbside and must be dropped off at a Union County Recycling Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars (lightly rinsed, caps on)
- ✓Metal food and drink cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food scraps
- ✕Batteries and e-waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Must be bagged in clear plastic, paper yard waste bags, or placed in a small marked reusable container (limit 10-12 bags per week). Thorny trimmings must be in a separate pile.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and under 6 inches in diameter)
- ✓Pine cones and vines
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular trash day
Placement
Place bulk items at least 2 feet away from your trash and recycling carts, as well as mailboxes or utility poles, to allow the collection trucks safe access.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (stoves, refrigerators, water heaters)
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Pallets
- ✕ Land clearing material
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Paint and pool chemicals
Most standard bulk items and appliances are collected at no additional fee. However, E-waste requires an appointment.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all solid waste and recycling collections for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is collected on your regular garbage day, so it will also follow the standard one-day delay during holiday weeks.
Bulk and e-waste pickups scheduled during holiday weeks may also be subject to delays. Always check the city's website or social media for specific holiday announcements.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Glass Out of the Black Cart
Glass is not accepted in Monroe's curbside recycling program because it often shatters and contaminates other viable recyclables. Take your glass bottles and jars to a Union County Convenience Center instead.
Loose Recyclables Only
Never put your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. The Solid Waste department audits carts, and bagged recyclables or loose plastic film will result in your items being treated as trash, or you could face fines.
Leave the Caps On Plastics
When recycling plastic bottles and jugs, give them a quick rinse and screw the cap back on. However, if the bottle has a pump dispenser (like lotion or soap), throw the pump in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Late Fall/Winter
November to FebruaryMonroe operates a loose leaf collection program during these months. Residents are allowed to place piles of unbagged leaves at the curb for specialized vacuum truck collection.
Spring/Summer
March to OctoberOnce loose leaf season ends, all yard waste, including leaves and grass clippings, must be bagged in clear plastic, paper yard bags, or placed in a reusable personal container.
Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryDuring the holidays, remember that wrapping paper, ribbons, and styrofoam packaging are not recyclable. Electronics gifted or replaced during this time must be scheduled for a special e-waste pickup.
About Monroe Waste Management
City of Monroe Solid Waste Operations
The City of Monroe contracts with Waste Pro to manage residential solid waste collection. Each eligible household receives a 96-gallon green cart for garbage and a 96-gallon black cart for recycling. The city strongly enforces its bagging policy—all household trash placed in the green cart must be securely bagged to prevent litter during the collection process. Any loose trash that falls during pickup is the homeowner's responsibility to clean up.
Navigating the Bi-Weekly Recycling Program
Monroe operates on a bi-weekly recycling schedule, dividing neighborhoods into 'Green' and 'Blue' recycling weeks. To keep the recycling stream clean, the Solid Waste staff actively audits the black 96-gallon recycling carts for contamination. If you fail to follow the strict recycling guidelines—such as placing plastic bags, tanglers, or food waste in the cart—your cart may be removed, and you could face municipal fines.
Yard Waste Collection and Loose Leaf Season
Yard waste is picked up weekly on the same day as your regular household garbage. For most of the year, grass clippings, leaves, and small shrub trimmings must be placed in clear plastic bags, paper yard waste bags, or small reusable containers. However, during the designated loose leaf season—which typically runs from November through early spring—residents can place unbagged leaves at the curb for specialized collection.
Bulk and Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Guidelines
Monroe makes it convenient to dispose of bulky items like appliances, couches, and mattresses at no additional cost. These items can be placed at the curb the evening before your normal trash day. E-waste, however, requires a different process. Any item containing a computer circuit board, such as laptops, televisions, or microwaves, is collected by appointment only and must be scheduled by calling the Solid Waste department.
Union County Drop-off Facilities for Excess Waste
Because glass is strictly prohibited in Monroe's curbside recycling program, residents are encouraged to utilize Union County's Residential Waste and Recycling Centers to dispose of glass bottles and jars. These county-operated convenience sites also accept a wide range of materials, including excess household waste, scrap metal, and yard debris that might exceed standard curbside limits.
Drop-off Facilities
Union County Residential Waste and Recycling Center
Visit the Union County website for the nearest of the 5 convenience centers
Materials Accepted
City of Monroe Used Oil Collection Site
2401 Walkup Ave, Monroe, NC 28110
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Monroe recycle glass curbside?
No. Glass is not accepted in the city's black curbside recycling carts. Residents can drop off glass for free at any of the Union County Residential Waste and Recycling Centers.
How do I schedule a pickup for an old television or computer?
Electronic waste (e-waste), which includes items with a circuit board like TVs, computers, and microwaves, is collected by appointment only. You must call the Solid Waste department at 704-282-4565 to schedule a pickup.
Can I put my yard waste in black garbage bags?
No. The city requires yard waste to be placed in clear plastic bags, brown paper yard waste bags, or a reusable personal container marked 'Yard Waste'. Clear bags are required so crews can verify there is no hidden trash mixed in.
What happens if I place unbagged trash in my green garbage cart?
The City of Monroe requires all garbage placed in the green cart to be bagged. If unbagged trash falls and creates litter while the automated truck is emptying the cart, it is the homeowner's responsibility to clean it up.