Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Charlottesville
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, based on your neighborhood route (with daily service in Uptown and Downtown areas).
Recycling
Bi-weekly on your regular trash collection day (alternating between Route A and Route B).
Yard Waste
No regular curbside yard waste pickup; seasonal loose leaf collection runs in the fall/winter, and large brush pickup can be scheduled for a fee.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Charlottesville utilizes a pay-as-you-throw system; you purchase individual bag stickers or annual decals from the City Treasurer's Office or local retailers rather than paying a standard monthly trash bill.
Billing Cycle
Prepaid via stickers or annual decals (general city utilities billed monthly)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Income-qualified utility assistance programs (Gas Assistance Program and Water/Wastewater Assistance) and real estate tax relief for seniors and disabled veterans are available.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans and Bottles into Cash Right Here in Charlottesville!
While Virginia doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program like some other states, you can still make a little extra cash from certain recyclables. Keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards around the Charlottesville area. Often, they'll take aluminum, copper, and other metals. For electronics that are too old to use, some places offer small rebates or simply take them for recycling. Check with local auto parts stores or mechanics too, as they might have specific recycling programs for things like car batteries.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in C'ville!
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! Charlottesville has some fantastic options for donations. Consider Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Seminole Trail – they love furniture, appliances, and building materials. For clothing and household goods, Goodwill is a great go-to, with several locations nearby. There are also smaller local thrift shops and charities like the Salvation Army that would be thrilled to accept your unwanted items, keeping them out of the landfill and helping others in our community.
What to Do When You See Litter Bugs in Our Town?
Keeping Charlottesville beautiful is a team effort! If you ever spot illegal dumping – that's when folks leave trash in places they shouldn't, like roadsides or empty lots – the best thing to do is report it. You can usually contact the City of Charlottesville Public Works department to let them know. They have specific procedures for handling these situations. You might also find community clean-up events advertised through local town pages or the city's website. Participating in these is a fantastic way to get involved and show some love for our local parks and streets.
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).