Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hampton
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.
City-provided Toter (Green/Black) Bin (Trash)
All trash items must be bagged inside the bin. Place the toter at the curb no sooner than 3:00 p.m. the day before pickup and remove it by midnight on collection day. Keep it 3 feet from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken glass (boxed up)
- ✓General household waste
City-provided Toter (Blue) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag your recycling. Place items loosely inside the toter. Recycling is collected every other week based on your assigned 'Blue' or 'Green' zone.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (food, beverage, and cleaning containers)
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Waxed cardboard
- ✓Egg cartons
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Bagged recyclables
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Glass bottles
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and leaves must be placed in clear plastic bags so crews can see the contents. Do not mix yard waste with bulk household trash piles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Limbs and brush (under 8 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day
Placement
Place items curbside as early as 3:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection day and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and sofas
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Window-unit air conditioners and appliances
- ✓ Tree branches (max 10 cubic yards, under 8ft long and 6in diameter)
- ✓ Up to 4 automobile tires
Not Accepted
- ✕ Windows, glass doors, or shower panes
- ✕ Building and construction materials
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕ Loose trash in black bags
Bulk collection is free. However, building materials are not collected at the curb and must be taken to the Big Bethel Landfill (up to 10 pickup truck loads are permitted with a valid city building permit).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on a city-observed holiday, your garbage, bulk trash, bulk limbs, yard waste, and tires will be collected on the Wednesday of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same Wednesday makeup schedule as regular trash and bulk collections.
This Wednesday rule also applies to your recycling if your every-other-week recycling collection falls on the holiday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Black Bags for Bulk or Yard Waste
Black bags hide their contents, making it dangerous for grapple truck operators who might accidentally puncture hazardous chemicals. Always use clear bags for yard waste, and put household garbage in your toter.
Box Up Loose Bulk Items
Do not put bags of loose trash out for bulk pickup. The collection claw will tear the bags and make a mess on your property. Small loose bulk items should be boxed up in a cardboard box.
Separate Your Bulk Piles
Keep your bulk household trash and bulk yard waste in distinctly separate piles with space in between. Mixing branches with old furniture makes it difficult for crews to route materials to the proper processing facilities.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring fall yard cleanup, remember that all leaves must be in clear plastic bags. Do not rake loose leaves into the street or drainage ditches, as they clog storm drains and will not be collected.
Winter
November to JanuaryKeep the 'Wednesday Rule' in mind during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's weeks. If your regular day falls on the holiday, place your bins out on Wednesday instead.
Spring
March to MaySpring landscaping generates heavy debris. Remember that bulk limbs are limited to 10 cubic yards per week (about the size of a standard pickup truck bed). If you hire a contractor for tree work, they are responsible for hauling the debris away.
About Hampton Waste Management
Strict Fine System for Trash Violations
In an effort to control increasing waste collection costs, Hampton strictly enforces its solid waste ordinance. While the first violation results in a written warning, a second violation within a year incurs a $50 fine. Any subsequent violations will result in $75 fines, emphasizing the importance of following rules regarding bin placement, bag colors, and accepted materials.
The Unique Wednesday Holiday Rule
Unlike many municipalities that push collection back a day after a holiday, Hampton utilizes a unique 'Wednesday makeup day' system. If your normal trash, bulk, or recycling collection day falls on a city-observed holiday, your service will automatically be moved to the Wednesday of that exact same week.
Clear Bags Required for Yard Waste
The city operates a dedicated yard waste site that processes grass and leaves into mulch and compost. Because of this, all grass clippings and leaves placed at the curb must be bagged in clear plastic bags. Black garbage bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste and will not be collected by bulk trucks due to visibility and safety concerns.
No Glass Allowed in Bulk Trash
When putting out bulk items, safety is a top priority. The city's mechanical grapple trucks cannot safely collect items containing large amounts of glass, such as window panes, glass doors, or glass shower enclosures. The claw will shatter these items and create a public hazard. Instead, residents must bring these specific items directly to the Big Bethel Landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
City Landfill at Big Bethel
100 North Park Lane, Hampton, VA 23666
Materials Accepted
Hampton Yard Waste Site
North Park Lane (next to Big Bethel Landfill), Hampton, VA 23666
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule a bulk trash pickup in Hampton?
No, you do not need to call or schedule a pickup. Bulk trash and bulk limbs are automatically collected on the same day as your regular weekly garbage. Just have your items at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
How does Hampton's holiday trash schedule work?
Hampton uses a unique Wednesday makeup schedule. If your regular collection day falls on a recognized city holiday, your trash, bulk, yard waste, and recycling will be picked up on the Wednesday of that same week.
Why won't the city pick up my bulk items in black bags?
Operators cannot see what is inside a black garbage bag, which poses a serious risk of puncturing hazardous materials or chemicals with the heavy mechanical claw. Always use clear bags for yard waste, and box up small bulk items in cardboard.
Can I put a glass shower door or window out for bulk collection?
No. The grapple claw on the bulk collection truck will shatter large glass items and create a dangerous hazard on your street. You must take large glass items, like window panes or shower doors, directly to the Big Bethel Landfill.