Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wake Forest
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.
Dark / Town-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Town ordinance strictly requires all trash to be securely bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent flyaway litter during automated truck dumping. Leave four feet of space between carts at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Clamshell to-go boxes
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue / Town-issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the cart without bagging. Keep items in their original 3D shape—do not crush cans or bottles, as modern sorting technology relies on shape to process materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and junk mail
- ✓Phone books
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Clamshell to-go boxes
- ✕Solo cups and straws
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste in paper yard waste bags or reusable plastic containers weighing no more than 50 pounds. No dirt, mulch, rocks, or plastic bags are permitted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Small tree limbs (under 4 feet)
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pine needles and cones
- ✓Weeds (including invasive plants)
- ✓Flowers and garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on Tuesdays (By Appointment Only)
Placement
Place items within six feet of the curb and at least four feet away from mailboxes, poles, or parked cars by 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture (tables, chairs, recliners)
- ✓ Bicycles and broken-down swing sets
- ✓ Grills (propane tank removed)
- ✓ Toilets (water drained)
- ✓ Washing machines and water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Construction and remodeling materials
- ✕ Tires and car parts
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, A/C units)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paint
- ✕ Move-out or eviction clean-outs
All bulk pickups must be requested online. Items placed at the curb without a verified scheduled appointment will not be collected.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
On the six major holidays recognized by Republic Services, curbside trash and recycling collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected by Town of Wake Forest crews (not Republic Services), holiday shifts for yard waste may differ. Always consult the Waste Wizard tool for precise holiday week scheduling.
Town Hall offices may close for additional holidays (like Good Friday or MLK Jr. Day), but standard curbside trash collection will run normally unless it is one of the six major haul holidays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Their Shape
Don't crush your aluminum cans or plastic bottles! The Wake Forest material recovery facility uses 3D sorting technology, which struggles to categorize flattened items. Leave them intact after rinsing.
No Clamshells or To-Go Boxes
Food takeout boxes often mix plastics and cause contamination issues. Even if they have a recycling symbol, put all clamshell containers and dirty pizza boxes directly into your regular trash bag.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
While town ordinance requires all garbage to be bagged to prevent street litter, recyclables must be tossed into the blue bin completely loose. Never put your recyclables inside a plastic trash bag, as it will be sent to the landfill.
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
October - MarchDuring Loose Leaf Season (first Monday in October to the second Friday in March), the town operates vacuum trucks to collect unbagged leaves directly from the curb. Keep these piles free of sticks and rocks to prevent equipment damage.
Spring/Summer
Mid-March - SeptemberOnce loose leaf collection ends, the Bagged Leaf Season begins. All grass clippings, pine needles, and leaves must be placed in paper yard bags (up to 20 per week) or reusable yard waste carts.
Winter
December - JanuaryCardboard boxes from holiday shopping must be flattened to fit entirely inside the recycling cart. Natural Christmas trees can be collected as standard yard waste—just remove all lights, ornaments, and stands.
About Wake Forest Waste Management
Comprehensive Solid Waste Services in Wake Forest
The Town of Wake Forest ensures keeping the community clean is easy with its weekly trash and recycling collections. Single-family homes are provided with rollout carts for automated pickup, handled in partnership with Republic Services. A standout feature of the local program is the scheduling sequence: brush and yard waste are always collected one business day prior to your standard trash and recycling day.
The Wake Forest Paper Bag Mandate
In March 2022, Wake Forest banned all single-use plastic bags for yard waste, including compostable plastic bags. To ensure efficient local composting and protect the environment, residents must now use biodegradable paper yard waste bags or reusable containers clearly labeled 'YW'. This simple shift eliminates debagging delays for town crews and prevents microplastics from entering local soils.
Scheduling Your Free Bulk Waste Pickups
Every residential address in the town is entitled to two free bulk waste collections per calendar year. Bulk pickups occur exclusively on Tuesdays and must be scheduled online before 2 p.m. on the Monday prior. It is the perfect solution for disposing of old mattresses, broken furniture, or large household items that cannot safely fit inside your standard garbage cart.
Never Miss a Day with the Waste Wizard App
Residents can easily track schedule adjustments by utilizing the Town of Wake Forest's Waste Wizard. Available directly on the town website or as a mobile app download, this interactive tool provides customized collection calendars and sends push notifications for holiday delays. It also includes a searchable 'Know Your Nos' database to help you instantly determine if an unusual item is destined for the landfill or the recycling plant.
Drop-off Facilities
Wake County Convenience Center Site 8
2001 Durham Road / Highway 98, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Wake Forest pick up yard waste and brush?
Yard waste and brush are collected once a week, exactly one business day prior to your scheduled trash and recycling collection day. Make sure to use paper bags or reusable containers, as plastic yard waste bags are banned in Wake Forest.
Am I required to put my garbage in bags before throwing it in the cart?
Yes. A Town of Wake Forest ordinance legally requires all household trash to be securely bagged before being deposited into the dark trash cart. This is crucial for preventing loose litter from blowing across streets when the automated trucks empty the carts.
How do I schedule a bulk waste pickup in Wake Forest?
Bulk item collections take place on Tuesdays. You must submit a request online via the town's Bulk Pickup Request Form by 2 p.m. on Monday to get on that week's route. Every household is granted two free bulk pickups per calendar year.
Where can I drop off old TVs, computers, or hazardous chemicals?
The town does not collect electronics or household hazardous waste curbside. Residents should take these items to the Wake County Convenience Center Site 8, located at 2001 Durham Road in Wake Forest, which is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.