Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Charlottesville
Virginia curbside collection runs weekly from Monday through Friday. Your exact pickup day depends on your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
Virginia DEQ regulations strictly prohibit lead-acid batteries, motor oil, and whole waste tires in curbside bins.
Any appropriate bin or bag Bin (Trash)
Must have an official City sticker or annual decal attached. Maximum weight for a 32-gallon container is strictly enforced at 50 lbs. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste (non-composted)
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart. Ensure all containers are rinsed clean and dry. Collected bi-weekly on your normal trash day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 to #7
- ✓Glass jars and bottles (green, clear, brown)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean aluminum foil
- ✓Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and films
- ✕Styrofoam/EPS
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard debris
- ✕Hazardous liquids
Yard Waste Bin
Brush must be piled separately from bulky items, measuring between 3 and 10 feet in length. Maximum brush pile size is 6' x 8' x 10'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Loose leaves (seasonal)
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (under 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Set items out by 7:00 a.m. Ensure brush is placed in a separate pile from furniture and appliances.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Large brush and limbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Contractor spoils
Fees apply per 12-month period: 1st collection is $35; 2nd collection is $50; 3rd collection or more is $100.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Schedule shifts are marked on the city's annual print calendar. Some major holidays push service back by one day, while others (often Christmas or New Year's depending on the day of the week) may not cause a delay. Always confirm on the official city portal.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf collection and special brush pickups are generally suspended on all city-observed holidays to prioritize household refuse.
If you are unsure of your holiday pickup status, contact the Public Works Department at 434-970-3830 or check the City's online alerts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Flatten and Size Your Cardboard
Cardboard that is too large for the recycling cart should be broken down or cut up. If it is wedged tightly, the automated truck arm will not be able to empty the cart completely.
Don't Hide Extra Bags
Never place extra, un-stickered trash bags at the bottom of your cart or leaning against the wheels. Every single bag or bin must comply with the city's Tag-a-Bag program to avoid being left at the curb.
No Plastic Bags in the Blue Bin
Even if your plastic grocery bags have a recycling triangle on them, they cannot go in your curbside bin. They tangle the sorting machinery. Take plastic films to the McIntire Recycling Center instead.
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to JanuaryThe city offers a free leaf vacuuming program with three collections per season. Rake loose leaves to the curb no more than three days before your neighborhood's scheduled collection time.
Winter
December to FebruaryIce and snow can cause temporary delays for trash haulers. If your street is skipped due to unsafe road conditions, leave your contained trash at the curb; crews generally collect overflow on the next scheduled route.
Spring/Summer
March to SeptemberTo support local gardening, Rivanna Solid Waste Authority provides free mulch at the Ivy Solid Waste Center. Bring your own buckets or trailers; staff are on-site to assist with machine loading for larger hauls.
About Charlottesville Waste Management
Navigating Charlottesville's Pay-As-You-Throw Trash System
The City of Charlottesville operates a unique Tag-a-Bag and annual decal system designed to encourage waste reduction. Instead of a flat municipal fee, every trash bag or container left at the curb must display an official City sticker. Residents can purchase individual stickers for 13-gallon or 32-gallon bags at local grocery stores and City Hall. Alternatively, if you utilize a large cart (up to 96 gallons) for weekly pickups, purchasing an annual decal is the most cost-effective and convenient method.
Proper Cart Placement for Weekly Routes
To ensure your weekly refuse and bi-weekly recycling are collected without a hitch, always have your items placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Because Virginia weather can get blustery, it's crucial to tie off bags securely to prevent debris from scattering into local streets and storm drains. Keep in mind, local city codes require that all carts and uncollected bulk items be moved back to your property line within 12 hours after the garbage truck departs.
Scheduling Bulk and Large Item Collections
When it's time to get rid of a heavy appliance, an old mattress, or broken furniture, standard curbside collection won't cut it. Charlottesville requires residents to pre-schedule large item pickups by calling the Public Works Department. The city utilizes a tiered pricing model within a 12-month period to keep services affordable: your first pickup is a modest $35, the second is $50, and any subsequent collections cost $100. Make sure to keep brush and yard limbs separated from man-made household junk.
Local Drop-Off Centers for Excess Waste
Sometimes waiting for trash day isn't an option, or you have hazardous materials that are strictly prohibited in residential bins. The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority manages several convenience centers, including the McIntire Recycling Center and the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center. These sites serve as critical community hubs for discarding automotive fluids, electronics, excess corrugated cardboard, and construction debris, ensuring toxic materials stay out of the local water table.
Eco-Friendly Yard Waste and Free Community Mulch
Charlottesville makes it easy to keep your landscape pristine while protecting the environment. From November through January, the city runs a free leaf vacuuming program, allowing residents to simply rake loose leaves directly to the curb. Furthermore, the Ivy Solid Waste facility frequently offers a free mulch program to local homeowners. By repurposing clean vegetative waste, the city helps you retain soil moisture and reduce weeds in your garden at zero cost.
Drop-off Facilities
McIntire Recycling Center
611 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Materials Accepted
Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center (ISWRC)
4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Materials Accepted
Southern Albemarle Convenience Center
6269 Esmont Road, Keene, VA 22946
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the Tag-a-Bag sticker program in Charlottesville?
Every bag or garbage can you set out must display a pre-purchased City sticker or an annual decal. You can buy individual stickers for 13-gallon or 32-gallon bags at local grocery stores and City Hall, or opt for an annual decal if you prefer using a larger 32- to 96-gallon cart.
What is the penalty for leaving my empty trash cart at the curb?
Per Charlottesville City Code, residents are required to retrieve all containers, recycling carts, and uncollected bulk refuse from the curb within 12 hours after collection. Failing to move your cart back to your property line can result in municipal warnings.
How much does the city charge to pick up an old couch or refrigerator?
Large item collection is handled by appointment and priced on a rolling 12-month basis. Your first collection costs $35, a second collection is $50, and any subsequent pickups jump to $100. Call 434-970-3830 to schedule your date.
Where can I recycle unusual items like oyster shells and cooking oil?
The McIntire Recycling Center at 611 McIntire Road accepts specialized items that cannot go in curbside bins, including used cooking oil, compostable food waste, and oyster shells (collected as part of the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program).