Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wilson
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.
City-issued Roll-out Container Bin (Trash)
All garbage inside the roll-out container must be bagged. Position the container with the handle facing your house, at least 3 feet away from mailboxes and 15 feet away from parked vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
City-issued Roll-out Container Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should be placed loose in the bin, not bagged. Ensure the container is at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Steel and aluminum cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓#1-#7 plastics
- ✓Newspapers, inserts, magazines
- ✓White paper and phone books
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Bagged compost is strictly prohibited. Place loose yard waste in a container or on a tarp (max 100 lbs). Limbs must be bundled and tied. For larger limbs, you must request a special pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Limbs (under 4 feet in length)
- ✓Brush and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Wednesdays for small overflow; By request for large bulk items
Placement
Place items behind the curb, clear of water meters, utility boxes, and sidewalks. Do not place items in front of or on top of dumpsters.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, beds)
- ✓ Appliances and White Goods
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Large limbs (over 4 feet)
- ✓ Used motor oil and cooking oil
- ✓ Dried latex paint and batteries
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated yard waste
- ✕ Commercial construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Excessive waste beyond ordinary residential amounts
Residential bulky item pickup is covered by your flat monthly $23.50 Solid Waste fee, though excessive amounts may incur an extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a city-observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and subsequent days in the week are typically delayed by one day (e.g., Monday routes move to Tuesday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is typically delayed along with regular trash on major holidays. However, note that on some holidays like Veterans Day, there are no bulky item pickups.
Even during holiday shifts, all containers must be placed behind the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your adjusted pickup day and retrieved within 24 hours of service.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Pizza Boxes Out
The City of Wilson explicitly bans pizza boxes from the recycling bin. The grease and food residue contaminate the cardboard recycling process. Toss these in your regular bagged household trash instead.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Compost
While city ordinance requires all standard household garbage to be securely bagged before going into your trash roll-out, yard waste is the exact opposite. Never put leaves or grass in plastic bags; leave them loose in a dedicated container.
Use Clear Containers for Oil
Wilson offers special collection for used motor oil and cooking oil. To ensure it is picked up, you must pour the cooled oil into a clear container (like a milk jug) with a tight, sealable lid and submit a pickup request.
Seasonal Information
Late Fall to Early Spring
November - MarchBetween November 1st and March 1st, leaves are collected loose at the curb. During all other times of the year, leaves must be placed inside standard yard waste compost containers.
Hurricane Season
June - NovemberDuring severe weather watches or hurricane warnings, do not leave your roll-out containers at the curb. High winds can scatter waste and block storm drains, leading to neighborhood flooding.
Winter Holidays
November - JanuaryMajor holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas usually push collection days back by one day. Always check the city's website or the Fix-It Wilson app for exact routing changes during these busy weeks.
About Wilson Waste Management
Complete Guide to Wilson, NC Trash & Recycling Services
Welcome to the ultimate resource for residential waste management in Wilson, North Carolina. The City of Wilson Environmental Services coordinates weekly pickup for garbage, recycling, and yard waste on the exact same day, utilizing separate trucks for each material type. A standout feature of Wilson's program is the 'Wednesday Trash Day', an additional weekly service specifically designed to help residents handle overflow bagged household garbage and small loose items that won't fit in standard roll-out containers.
Navigating Yard Waste and the No-Bag Rule
Managing yard waste in Wilson requires strict adherence to city policies, particularly the ban on bagged compost. As of 2020, residents are prohibited from using plastic bags for yard debris. Instead, all grass clippings, small twigs, and garden waste must be placed loose in a designated container labeled with a free city 'Compost' sticker, or gathered on a tarp not exceeding 100 pounds. The city offers a highly popular loose-leaf collection service during the colder months to assist with seasonal cleanups.
How to Schedule Bulky Waste and Special Pickups
If you are getting rid of large furniture, old appliances, tires, or oversized tree limbs, you do not need to worry about extra hauling fees. These collections are included in the standard monthly solid waste fee. However, they do require you to coordinate a special truck. Residents must contact the dispatch office or use the Fix-It Wilson mobile app to log a request before placing these oversized items, or hazardous materials like used motor oil and batteries, out at the curb.
Adapting to Holiday and Weather Schedule Shifts
The City of Wilson observes several major holidays throughout the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day. When these holidays fall on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week typically slide forward by one day. Additionally, living in eastern North Carolina means occasional severe weather. During hurricane warnings, the city strongly advises against leaving bins at the street to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles or spilling debris into local waterways.
Drop-off Facilities
Wilson County Landfill
2400 Hwy 42 E, Wilson, NC 27893
Materials Accepted
Wilson County Solid Waste Convenience Center (Sims)
5733 Grover Ln, Sims, NC 27880
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have more garbage than my roll-out container can hold?
The City of Wilson features a special 'Wednesday Trash Day' for overflow. You can place extra bagged household garbage behind the curb on Wednesdays. Alternatively, if you consistently have too much trash, you can purchase an additional roll-out container for a one-time fee of $50 by calling 252-399-2424.
Can I use plastic bags to dispose of my grass clippings and leaves?
No. As of May 2020, Wilson no longer accepts bagged compost or yard waste. You must place your yard clippings loose in a dedicated compost container or gather them on a tarp that does not exceed 100 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or a large couch?
Large items such as appliances (white goods) and bulky furniture require a special truck for collection. You must request a special pickup by calling the dispatch office at 252-399-2424 or by logging a request through the Fix-It Wilson mobile app.
What time do my trash and recycling bins need to be at the curb?
All roll-out containers must be placed at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Furthermore, city ordinance requires that you retrieve your empty containers from the curb within 24 hours of them being serviced.