Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Newport News
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.
Green Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash must be fully contained inside the green cart with the lid closed securely to prevent spillage. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and ensure the cart is clear of vehicles and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable paper and plastics
- ✓General solid waste
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Items should be placed loosely in the blue cart, except for shredded paper. Do not bag recyclables. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your assigned Red or Yellow week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans (rinsed)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars (caps on loosely)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Paper, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard (no larger than 3'x3')
- ✓Shredded paper (only if tied in a clear plastic bag)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packaging and peanuts
- ✕Yard waste and food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, hangers)
- ✕Window pane glass and ceramics
- ✕Clothing or shoes
Yard Waste Bin
Brush and yard waste are collected bi-weekly alongside bulk waste on your scheduled Red or Yellow week. Keep yard debris separate from household bulk items.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs and yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Bi-weekly on your assigned Red or Yellow week
Placement
Place bulk waste on the street adjoining your property as near the curb as possible by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large brush and yard debris
- ✓ Household bulk waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Dirt, sand, rocks, or concrete
- ✕ Heavy building and construction materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid waste
- ✕ Bagged household garbage outside the green cart
Bulk waste collection is funded through the Residential Solid Waste Fee, which is charged directly on the resident's water bill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collection of garbage, bulk wastes, and recyclables may be delayed from time to time due to city-recognized holidays. In these instances, collection will usually take place within the next one to two working days.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly brush and bulk waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
Residents are encouraged to verify their specific holiday makeup days via the Solid Waste Collection Schedule & Calendar or by calling the 311 Contact Center at 757-933-2311.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Plastic grocery bags and film wrap get tangled in the gears of the recycling facility's sorting equipment. Take empty plastic bags to local retail drop-offs instead of putting them in your blue cart.
Size Limit on Cardboard
All cardboard boxes must be flattened and cut down to a maximum size of 3 feet by 3 feet before being placed in the recycling cart. Oversized, unflattened cardboard causes processing delays and jams.
Not All Glass is Created Equal
While glass bottles and jars are perfectly fine to recycle, do not include window pane glass, mirrors, ceramics, or vases. These materials have different melting points and will contaminate the entire batch of recycled glass.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryThe Street Maintenance Division conducts an annual loose leaf roadside collection. Residents should check the city's designated leaf collection schedule for their neighborhood's specific vacuum dates.
Winter
January to FebruaryScheduled winter pickups for garbage and recycling may be delayed due to snow and ice. Leave your carts at the collection point until emptied; no code violations will be cited for carts left out during weather emergencies.
Summer/Fall
Hurricane SeasonDuring severe weather or natural disasters, garbage and recycling collections may be delayed or temporarily cancelled. Check Cable Channel 48 or the city's website for post-storm debris cleanup protocols.
About Newport News Waste Management
Bi-Weekly Collection and Color Zones
Newport News utilizes a streamlined zone-based system for bi-weekly bulk waste, brush, and recycling collection. Neighborhoods are assigned either a 'Red' or 'Yellow' week schedule. This alternating system helps the Solid Waste Division manage heavy volume efficiently while ensuring residents receive dependable, concurrent service for their 64-gallon recycling carts and bulky household items.
Strict Time Limits for Cart Placement
To maintain neighborhood aesthetics and prevent litter, Newport News strictly enforces set-out and retrieval times for garbage containers. Green trash carts cannot be placed at the curb before 3:00 p.m. the day before collection, and must be out by 7:00 a.m. on pickup day. Importantly, empty carts must be removed from the street by midnight and stored at the side or rear of the residence to avoid citations.
The Exception for Shredded Paper
While plastic garbage bags are strictly prohibited in the blue recycling carts, the city makes one unique exception for shredded paper. Because loose shredded pieces can easily blow away or severely jam sorting equipment, Newport News requires residents to securely tie shredded paper inside a clear plastic bag before placing it in the recycling container.
Accessible Backyard Collection Service
Recognizing that some residents need extra assistance, the city offers a special backyard collection service for physically disabled individuals. If no other able-bodied person lives in the home, eligible residents can submit an application along with a physician's certificate. Once approved, city crews will retrieve garbage and recycling directly from the property, removing the burden of curbside placement.
Neighborhood Drop-Offs for Extra Recyclables
Residents with more recyclables than their blue cart can handle cannot simply leave bags next to the bin, as overflow items will be left behind. Instead, Newport News provides six convenient neighborhood drop-off sites, including several local fire stations and the Main Street Library, ensuring that oversized flattened cardboard and extra plastics are properly recycled.
Drop-off Facilities
Recovery Operations Center
520 Atkinson Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608
Materials Accepted
Main Street Library Recycling Drop-Off
110 Main St, Newport News, VA 23601
Materials Accepted
Fire Station #6 Recycling Drop-Off
685 Oyster Point Road, Newport News, VA 23602
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When is my bulk waste picked up in Newport News?
Bulk waste and brush are collected bi-weekly on the exact same day as your recycling cart. Your neighborhood is assigned either a 'Red' or 'Yellow' week for these collections. You do not need to call ahead to schedule standard bulk pick-ups.
What should I do if my garbage container is missed?
If you followed the placement rules (cart out by 7:00 a.m., placed away from obstructions, no prohibited items like dirt or construction debris) and your green cart was missed, report it by calling the 311 Contact Center at 757-933-2311.
Can I put extra trash or recycling bags next to my carts?
No. All trash and recyclables must be fully contained inside their respective carts with the lids closed. Items placed outside or next to the carts will be left behind by collection crews.
How do I properly dispose of shredded paper?
Newport News has a unique rule for shredded paper. While regular plastic bags are heavily banned from the blue recycling carts, you are required to place shredded paper inside a securely tied clear plastic bag before putting it in your recycling bin to prevent messes.