Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mooresville
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week across four neighborhood route zones (Monday through Thursday).
Recycling
Collected every other week on your assigned collection day according to the town's alternating Blue and Green week calendar.
Yard Waste
Collected once per week on the business day immediately following your regular trash collection day.
Set Out Time
By 5:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard residential trash, yard waste, and recycling services are paid through your town property taxes with no monthly trash fee. Additional carts or city water utilities are managed separately through the Utility Billing department.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Kiosk, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Free backyard collection assistance is available for individuals physically unable to roll carts to the curb (physician certification required).
Standard Town Roll-Out Cart Bin (Trash)
All garbage must be securely tied in plastic bags before being placed in the roll-out cart. Place the cart at the curb with at least 3 feet of clearance from obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (since they are banned from recycling)
- ✓Styrofoam and plastic wrap
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
Blue (96-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart—never bag them. Rinse all cans and bottles prior to disposal. Serviced bi-weekly on your normal trash day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Aluminum and metal food cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes
- ✓Cereal and food boxes
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Mixed paper, newspapers, and junk mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
- ✕Plastic bags, film, and wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Clothing and fabrics
- ✕Audio/video tapes, CDs
- ✕Household glassware and light bulbs
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be placed LOOSE at the curb (do not bag them). Limbs must be stacked in one direction and kept separate from loose leaves. Collected the day after regular trash day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small limbs (under 4 feet long and 4 inches thick)
- ✓Shrub trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (on your standard trash collection day)
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb, keeping a strict three-foot clearance from trash carts, mailboxes, and away from overhead wires or trees.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed or secured, empty)
- ✓ Disassembled furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and bed frames
- ✓ Patio furniture
- ✓ Lawnmowers (gas and battery removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers, printers)
- ✕ Cardboard boxes (must be broken down for recycling)
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and dirt
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Bulk waste is collected weekly at no extra charge. However, items not accepted (like electronics) must be hauled to the Iredell County Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling services are generally delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is normally collected the day after your regular trash day, its collection will also be pushed back correspondingly during holiday weeks.
Minor holidays such as Good Friday and Juneteenth typically do not cause service delays. Always consult the interactive holiday schedule on the town's website.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Peak Fall
November to JanuaryDuring peak leaf-falling season, high volumes of loose leaves placed at the curb may cause minor delays in the next-day yard waste collection routes.
Spring and Summer
March to AugustFrequent severe weather or heavy lawn maintenance can generate excess storm debris. Ensure all limbs are cut to 4 feet or less and separated from grass clippings to ensure swift pickup.
Post-Holiday
JanuaryLive Christmas trees are typically collected with yard waste. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and stands are completely removed before placing the tree loosely at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Mooresville Household Sanitation Services
Keeping Mooresville neighborhoods pristine is a collaborative effort between residents and the local Public Works Department. The town provides comprehensive solid waste management, giving each household one standard roll-out garbage container, the cost of which is conveniently covered through annual property taxes. Trash is collected on a weekly basis, and sanitation routes run early. To guarantee your refuse is picked up, your cart must be positioned at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your designated service day. For convenience, the town recommends rolling your bins out the night before. Be sure to retrieve your emptied container from the street no later than 5:30 a.m. the following morning.
Automated Collection and Clearance Requirements
The Town of Mooresville utilizes automated side-loading sanitation trucks, which heavily rely on precise cart placement. When bringing your bin to the curb, always ensure the wheels and handle are facing toward your house and away from the street. The mechanical arm requires ample space to operate safely; therefore, you must maintain a strict three-foot clearance around the cart. Keep the receptacle away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, and overhanging tree branches. Additionally, all household waste must be securely bagged, and the cart lid must be completely closed to prevent litter from spilling during the dumping process.
Convenient Weekly Bulk Waste and Excess Bag Retrieval
Unlike many municipalities that require residents to call ahead and schedule special collections, Mooresville offers a highly convenient weekly bulk pickup. The town dispatches a second specialized truck along the regular residential routes to collect bulky items and excess bagged garbage that does not fit inside your standard cart. You can simply leave furniture, mattresses, or extra tied trash bags at the curb on your normal collection day, ensuring they are placed at least three feet away from your roll-out bin. For exceptionally large items, the crew may take up to three to five days to complete the collection.
Bi-Weekly Recycling and Holiday Schedule Adjustments
While garbage and bulk items are collected weekly, residential curbside recycling operates on a bi-weekly schedule. Residents should refer to the town's official calendar to determine their specific recycling weeks. During major recognized holidays, standard sanitation routes are typically delayed. Generally, if a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are pushed back by one day. The town actively communicates these shifts through the Blackboard Connect notification system, as well as via official social media channels, keeping everyone informed of sudden changes due to holidays or severe weather.
Handling Electronics and Iredell County Transfer Station Access
Not all items can be left at the curb for the second bulk truck. Electronic waste, including televisions, computer monitors, and printers, is strictly banned from North Carolina landfills and will not be collected by municipal crews. Residents must transport these specific items, as well as up to five tires per year without rims, directly to the Iredell County Transfer Station located at 158 Macleod Drive. You will need to present proof of an Iredell County address to utilize the transfer station facilities, and certain disposal fees may apply depending on the materials being dropped off.
Drop-off Facilities
Iredell County Transfer Station
158 Macleod Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in Mooresville, NC?
You must place your roll-out garbage container at the curb no later than 5:30 a.m. on your assigned collection day, or ideally the night before.
Do I have to schedule a bulk trash pickup for an old couch?
No, scheduling is not necessary. Mooresville sends a second truck weekly on your normal trash day to collect bulky items and excess bagged garbage.
Will the town pick up my old television?
No. Electronic waste is banned from curbside collection. You must take televisions and computers directly to the Iredell County Transfer Station for proper disposal.