Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Harrisonburg
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly Monday through Thursday based on neighborhood zone.
Recycling
No standard curbside recycling service; residents can use the city Recycling Convenience Center or Mobile Unit (cardboard pickup can be reserved for Fridays).
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular trash day by reservation (must be scheduled by 12:00 PM the business day prior).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 4:00 PM the day before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and solid waste fees are conveniently included on your monthly City of Harrisonburg Public Utilities water and sewer bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Green (City-Issued Toter) Bin (Trash)
Must use the official Public Works Toter cart. Place at the property line by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before. Extra bags outside the cart require a prepaid $1.00 refuse sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Opaque or colored #1 plastics
N/A (Drop-Off Only) Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling is not provided. Materials must be pre-sorted and dropped off at the Recycling Convenience Center (2055 Beery Rd) or the Mobile Recycling Unit.
Accepted Items
- ✓#1 transparent plastic only
- ✓#2 plastics
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard and office paper
- ✓Household batteries
Do NOT Include
- ✕Opaque #1 plastics
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Mixed material items (e.g., bubble mailers)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Prescription medications
Yard Waste Bin
Must be tied into bundles (max 4 ft long, 2 ft wide, 75 lbs). Curbside pickup requires an online reservation. Bagged leaves and grass clippings are accepted at the Convenience Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree trimmings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Shrub clippings
- ✓Limbs (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand (Requires online reservation)
Placement
Place items at the back of the curb on the designated reservation date. Do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or storm drains.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Televisions and computers
- ✓ Stereos
- ✓ Oversized cardboard (flattened)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Items exceeding weight limits
Bulk pickup for standard household furniture is covered by the residential Solid Waste Management fee, but limitations on frequency and volume may apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The city publishes a specific holiday route map annually. Generally, trash collection is pushed back one day following a major federal holiday.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is strictly by reservation, pickups will not be scheduled on city-observed holidays.
Even if your trash day doesn't change, remember that the Beery Road drop-off center and the Mobile Recycling Unit are always closed on city holidays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to JanuaryDuring weeks with major holidays, regular trash collection is often shifted by one day for the remainder of the week. Both the Recycling Convenience Center and Mobile Unit close completely on official city holidays.
Spring
March to MaySpring yard cleanups generate massive amounts of brush. Remember that curbside yard debris will not be picked up automatically; you must request a reservation online, and all branches must be tied into compliant bundles under 75 pounds.
Year-Round
January to DecemberThe city does not collect bagged grass clippings curbside at any point in the year. If you wish to dispose of bagged grass clippings, you must haul them yourself to the Recycling Convenience Center.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got a Can or Bottle to Cash In Near Harrisonburg?
While Harrisonburg doesn't have a dedicated bottle buyback center right in town, remember that Virginia does have a state-level bottle redemption program for many beverage containers! You'll want to check the labels to see if they have the 10-cent Virginia redemption value (VR) on them. Many grocery stores will accept these for return. For other recyclables like scrap metal, you might have luck finding a scrap yard a bit further out. A quick search for "scrap metal recycling" in nearby towns could point you in the right direction for turning unwanted metal into some extra cash.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in the 'Burg!
Before tossing out items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! In Harrisonburg, you've got options. The **Goodwill Store & Donation Center** on East Market Street is always a great go-to for clothes, household goods, and more. If you're looking for furniture or home decor, the **Habitat for Humanity ReStore** in nearby Staunton is a fantastic place to drop off usable building materials, furniture, and appliances. Your donation helps support their mission right here in the community!
Keeping Harrisonburg Beautiful: Tackling the Unwanted Piles
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be! If you ever spot illegal dumping happening in Harrisonburg or notice an area that's been a target, it's super helpful to report it. Your best bet is to contact the **City of Harrisonburg Public Works Department**. They handle these sorts of issues and can get cleanup crews out there. Keeping our streets and natural areas clean is a team effort, and your eyes and ears make a big difference for the whole town.
Drop-off Facilities
Harrisonburg Recycling Convenience Center
2055 Beery Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Materials Accepted
Rockingham County Landfill
813 Greendale Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Harrisonburg have curbside recycling bins?
Harrisonburg transitioned away from single-stream curbside recycling to a drop-off model to reduce high contamination rates and skyrocketing processing fees. Residents now pre-sort materials and bring them directly to the Recycling Convenience Center or the Mobile Unit to ensure the materials are actually recycled.
How do I get rid of an old mattress or heavy brush in Harrisonburg?
You cannot leave these items on the curb during your regular trash day. Harrisonburg Public Works requires residents to make a reservation online for the collection of bulk items, oversized cardboard, and bundled yard debris.
What happens if I have more trash than fits in my city cart?
Only trash placed securely inside the official Toter cart will be collected for free. If you have extra bags, you must visit the Treasurer's office or Public Utilities to purchase refuse stickers for $1.00 each. Place a sticker on every extra bag before setting it next to your cart.
Can I recycle colored or opaque plastic bottles at the drop-off center?
No. The Harrisonburg drop-off centers only accept transparent (clear) #1 plastics and all #2 plastics. Opaque or colored #1 plastics, as well as plastics #3 through #7, are strictly prohibited and should go in your household trash.