Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for New Bern
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood service zone. Residents can check their specific collection day using the city's interactive route map or by contacting Public Works.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected once every four weeks by Craven County's contractor.
Yard Waste
Collected on your scheduled zone route day. Limbs must be under 5 feet long, and leaves/clippings must be bagged (curbside loose leaf vacuuming is provided November through February).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash pickup is bundled into your monthly City of New Bern utility bill (alongside water, sewer, and electric), while county recycling is billed annually on your property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, AutoPay / Bank Draft, Phone, Mail, Drive-Thru / Drop Box, In-Person, Retail Payment Partners (Wal-Mart, Western Union)
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens may qualify for a reduced trash pickup rate determined through Craven County. The city also offers energy-efficiency bill credits and financial assistance programs.
Town-issued 65-Gallon Cart Bin (Trash)
Place the cart out by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day, away from vehicles and mailboxes. Bagged trash in excess of the cart must have a Craven County trash sticker applied.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Waxed food cartons
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Plastic grocery bags
- ✓Broken dishes and ceramics
County-issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected once every four weeks by Craven County. Items must be loose inside the cart; do not bag recyclables. Bins must be out by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass containers (clear, brown, green)
- ✓Aluminum and food cans
- ✓Plastic milk jugs and drink bottles
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and paper
- ✓Flattened dry corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Frozen food containers
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Do not mix yard waste with bulk items. Hedges must have excess dirt removed from roots. Loose leaves are only accepted unbagged from November 1st through the end of February.
Accepted Items
- ✓Limbs shorter than 5 feet and under 5 inches in diameter
- ✓Bagged leaves and pine straw
- ✓Bagged grass clippings and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on Scheduled Route Day
Placement
Place items by 6:00 a.m. in a neat pile away from residential carts, vehicles, guide wires, trees, fences, and utility sources. Do not place in the street.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, tables, and mattresses
- ✓ Refrigerators, washers, and water heaters (doors removed)
- ✓ Microwaves and small appliances
- ✓ Tires separated from the rim
- ✓ Empty, dried-out paint cans
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics, TVs, and computers
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Treated, painted, or stained wood
- ✕ Tires still on rims
- ✕ Propane tanks and hazardous waste
If your bulk waste pile exceeds six cubic yards, the truck will pick up the limit and may return later or on the next route day. You must call ahead for exceptionally large piles.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash and recycling carts are typically serviced one day behind if your scheduled collection day falls on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections will also shift by one day alongside the delayed trash schedule during these major holidays.
For all other holidays not listed, assume collection will occur on your normal scheduled day unless otherwise announced by the City of New Bern.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
November to FebruaryThis is New Bern's official 'Loose Leaf Season.' Residents are permitted to place unbagged leaves and pine straw behind the curb line for collection. Ensure piles do not block storm drains or spill into the roadway.
Hurricane Season
August to OctoberAs a coastal city situated on the Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern is highly susceptible to tropical storms. Secure your 65-gallon trash and recycling carts indoors or tie them down during severe weather to prevent them from washing away in storm surges.
Spring
March to MaySpring yard cleanups often result in large brush piles. Remember that the city will only collect up to six cubic yards of yard waste on your scheduled route day. For larger piles, you must call Public Works ahead of time.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of New Bern Trash Pickup and Sanitation Schedule
The Solid Waste Division in New Bern ensures a clean and healthy environment for all residents by providing weekly curbside trash collection. Each household receives a 65-gallon rolling cart to manage daily household waste. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. To maintain neighborhood cleanliness, it is recommended to remove the bins from the street on the same day after service has been completed. Keeping your bins properly spaced away from obstacles ensures the automated trucks can empty them safely and efficiently.
Craven County Recycling Collection Program
While the city manages regular refuse, recycling services are provided in partnership with the Craven County Curbside Recycling Program. Recycling carts are collected once every four weeks. Because the recycling pickup schedule is less frequent, we highly encourage residents to break down cardboard boxes and properly rinse recyclable plastics and glass to maximize cart space. The service fee for this specialized recycling program is conveniently billed annually on your property tax bill rather than appearing on your monthly city utility statement.
Bulk Waste and Yard Debris Disposal
If you have large household items or yard clippings to dispose of, New Bern offers bulk waste and leaf and limb collection on the same day as your regular pickup. Yard waste and bulky items must be kept in separate, neat piles at the curb. Keep piles away from your regular service carts, parked vehicles, mailboxes, and low-hanging utility wires. Please note that construction materials, roofing shingles, electronics, and hazardous waste are strictly prohibited. These unacceptable items must be hauled to a local Craven County Convenience Center by the homeowner or a private contractor.
Holiday Delays and Missed Pickups
The local sanitation department observes major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If your scheduled pickup falls on one of these holidays, collection will run one day behind for the remainder of that week. For any missed pickups or requests for cart repairs, residents can directly contact the Public Works Department. By utilizing the city's interactive collection map online, you can quickly verify your residential zone and stay fully updated on any temporary route changes or schedule adjustments.
Drop-off Facilities
Craven County Convenience Center - Monette's
4001 Old Cherry Point Road, New Bern, NC 28562
Materials Accepted
Craven County Convenience Center - Bridgeton
605 NC Highway 55 East, New Bern, NC 28560
Materials Accepted
Coastal Environmental Partnership Regional Landfill
7400 Old US 70 Hwy West, New Bern, NC 28562
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is recycling collected in New Bern?
Recycling is managed by Craven County and is collected once every four weeks. The cost for this program is billed annually on your property tax bill rather than your monthly utility bill.
What items are not allowed for curbside bulk pickup?
You cannot place electronics, hazardous materials, tires, or construction and demolition debris at the curb. These materials must be properly disposed of at a Craven County Convenience Center.
What happens to my trash pickup on holidays?
On Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, collection services are delayed by one day. If your normal trash day falls on the holiday, it will be picked up the following day.