Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chesapeake
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is not provided through standard city routes; residents can utilize City drop-off recycling centers or arrange private subscription services.
Yard Waste
Bagged yard waste (in clear 35-gallon plastic bags) is picked up on your regular weekly trash day. Large limbs and tree debris require scheduling a bulk collection.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard residential trash and yard waste collections are funded through local city taxes, while water and wastewater services are billed every two months through the Hampton Roads Utility Billing Service (HRUBS).
Billing Cycle
Bimonthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box, Auto-Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
Utility assistance is available for qualifying low-income residents in crisis through the Help 2 Others (H2O) program. Real Estate Tax Relief is also available for eligible seniors and disabled individuals.
City-issued Automated Cart (typically Dark Green or Brown, plus repurposed Blue bins) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed inside the automated container. Place the bin at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day, ensuring it is 3 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and bulk piles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
Drop-Off Bins (No City Curbside Service) Bin (Recycling)
The City does not offer curbside recycling. Materials must be taken to one of seven 24/7 drop-off sites or collected via a paid private subscription service.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (bottles and jugs with necks)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Flattened clean cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass containers of any kind
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Household garbage
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in clear 35-gallon plastic bags. Limit of 30 bags per week (50 in Nov/Dec). Larger branches require a scheduled bulk yard waste pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly upon request (Max 12 household collections per year)
Placement
Place items at the curb no earlier than three days prior to collection, and at least 3 feet away from mailboxes, cars, and overhead wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed from fridges)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Tree branches (under 6 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Carpet and flooring
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Wooden fencing and pallets
- ✕ Hazardous waste or contractor-cut tree debris
Bulk collection is included in city services, but exceeding the 12-per-year household limit or placing unauthorized items like construction debris requires a private junk removal service at your own expense.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Chesapeake has very few holiday exceptions. Trash collection occurs on its normal schedule for almost all holidays, including MLK Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. Only Thanksgiving and Christmas cause a one-day delay (a 'slide') for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Bagged yard waste and bulk collections follow the exact same holiday slide schedule as regular trash.
Even when City offices are closed for minor holidays, waste collection crews are usually working. Always place your bin out on your normal day unless it is Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November and DecemberTo accommodate heavy fall leaf drop, the city temporarily increases the limit for clear yard waste bags from 30 bags per week to 50 bags per week per household.
Winter
JanuaryThe city offers post-holiday Christmas tree disposal on your normal trash day. Trees must be completely stripped of all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands. Do not put them in your trash bin; they are picked up separately by grapple trucks.
Summer and Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIn the event of severe coastal storms, keep bulk piles away from drainage ditches and overhead wires. Note that the city does not collect contractor-cut tree debris; if you hire a professional tree service for storm cleanup, they must haul it away.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Recyclables into Cold, Hard Cash in Chesapeake?
While Chesapeake doesn't have widespread city-run bottle buyback centers like some other states, you can still get some green for your greens! Check out local scrap metal yards. Places like Bay Scrap Metal or ABC Scrap Metal often take aluminum, copper, and other metals. Just give them a call to see what they're currently accepting and their pricing. For cans and bottles, while there's no state redemption program, many local community groups and churches hold fundraising drives where they collect these items, so keep an eye out for those announcements!
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Our Community
Before you toss those usable items, think about donating them! Chesapeake has some fantastic options. Goodwill often has locations convenient for residents, and they take a wide range of clothing, housewares, and more. Another great spot is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Kempsville Road in nearby Norfolk – they're always looking for furniture, appliances, and building materials. Your donation not only helps others but also keeps perfectly good items out of the landfill.
Keeping Chesapeake Beautiful: Let's Tackle Dumping Together
Keeping our city clean is a team effort. If you ever spot illegal dumping, it's important to report it so the city can address it. Chesapeake's Public Works department handles this. You can usually report it through their website or by calling their customer service line. They also sometimes organize community clean-up events, which are a great way to get involved and make a direct impact on our neighborhoods. Keep an eye on the city's official website for announcements about these opportunities.
Drop-off Facilities
SPSA Chesapeake Transfer Station
901 Hollowell Lane, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Materials Accepted
Chesapeake Central Library Drop-Off Site
298 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Materials Accepted
Indian River Library Drop-Off Site
2320 Old Greenbrier Road, Chesapeake, VA 23325
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chesapeake have curbside recycling?
No, the City of Chesapeake officially ended its municipal curbside recycling program in 2022. Residents can either subscribe to a private recycling service like Recyclops or drop off their recyclables for free at one of the seven community drop-off sites, such as the Central Library or Chesapeake City Park.
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Chesapeake?
You must request a bulk pickup by 5:00 p.m. the workday before your normal collection day. You can do this by calling 757-382-2489, using the Chesapeake Service Request app, or filling out the online form. Remember that household bulk is limited to 12 collections per calendar year.
What happens to my trash schedule on holidays?
Chesapeake has very few holiday exceptions. Trash collection occurs on its normal schedule for almost all holidays, including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. The only holidays that cause a one-day delay (a 'slide' schedule) are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
How should I dispose of yard waste and leaves?
Grass clippings and leaves must be placed in clear 35-gallon plastic bags and set at the curb on your normal trash day. No appointment is needed for bagged yard waste. You are allowed up to 30 bags per week, increasing to 50 bags in November and December. Large limbs require a scheduled bulk pickup.