Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Norfolk
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 fit inside the 90-gallon green container so the lid closes completely. Place the cart at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics (butter tubs, yogurt cups)
- ✓Food wrappers and styrofoam
- ✓Broken window glass (boxed or taped)
Blue Cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely in the blue cart (never in plastic bags) and be empty, clean, and dry. Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Translucent glass food and beverage bottles/jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (with narrow necks or handles)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper, magazines, and flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam and clam shells
- ✕Used pizza boxes and food-soiled paper
- ✕Pet food bags and shredded paper
- ✕Canning jars, Pyrex, and window glass
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in clear plastic bags (max 45 lbs) or tied securely in bundles (max 3 cubic feet). Limit of 20 bags or 20 bundles per collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (under 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Max 12 scheduled collections per calendar year
Placement
Place items as close to the curb as possible by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day, ensuring they are at least three feet away from mailboxes, trees, poles, or parked cars.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Up to 4 automobile tires
- ✓ Large yard debris exceeding the 20-bag limit
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Dirt, concrete, or bricks
- ✕ Hazardous waste or paint
- ✕ Loose trash in black bags
Bulk pickup is included in your monthly public service bill, provided you stay within the 12-per-year and 3-cubic-yard limits. Excess waste will require a private hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a city-recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collections may be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week, depending on the annual calendar. Check the MyNorfolk portal or the official Holiday Collection schedule for specific weekly adjustments.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulk collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as your regular garbage.
Remember that your blue recycling cart is collected on your normal scheduled trash day, but only every other week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The recycling processing center cannot sort materials tied in plastic bags. Any recyclables bagged in plastic will be treated as garbage and sent to the landfill. Always keep your cans, bottles, and paper loose in the blue bin.
Differentiate Your Plastics
Norfolk's recycling program only accepts plastic bottles and jugs that have a narrow, threaded neck or a handle (like milk jugs or soda bottles). Yogurt cups, butter tubs, and berry clamshells must go in the green trash cart.
Keep Pizza Boxes Out of the Blue Bin
Cardboard pizza boxes saturated with grease and cheese cannot be recycled because the oils ruin the paper pulping process. Throw used pizza boxes and fast-food wrappers in your regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring fall yard cleanup, remember that you are strictly limited to 20 clear plastic bags of leaves per week. If you exceed this limit, you must schedule a bulk waste pickup through the MyNorfolk app.
Winter
December to JanuaryAdverse weather conditions like ice and snow rarely delay Norfolk's collection, but if roads become dangerous, services may be temporarily suspended. Do not call to report a missed pickup; crews will automatically resume the schedule once roads are safe.
Summer
Hurricane SeasonIn the event of a severe coastal storm, the city will announce modified collection schedules via the MyNorfolk portal and the 757-664-6510 hotline. Ensure all carts are secured during high winds to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
About Norfolk Waste Management
Strict Volume and Frequency Caps on Bulk Trash
Unlike some neighboring municipalities that offer unlimited bulk waste collections, Norfolk enforces a strict limit of 12 bulk waste collections per calendar year per residence. Furthermore, each scheduled pickup cannot exceed 3 cubic yards (roughly the size of a 3-foot by 3-foot by 9-foot pile). You must request your collection through the MyNorfolk app or by calling Norfolk Cares by 3:00 p.m. the day before your regular trash day.
The Clear Bag Mandate for Yard Waste
Grass clippings, leaves, and smaller yard debris must be collected in clear plastic bags weighing no more than 45 pounds. You can place up to 20 of these clear bags (or 20 tied brush bundles) out per collection without it counting against your annual bulk limit. If you use standard black garbage bags, crews cannot verify the contents and will leave the yard waste behind at the curb.
Glass Is Still Accepted in the Blue Bin
While several other Hampton Roads cities have banned glass from their curbside recycling programs due to processing difficulties, Norfolk still accepts glass bottles and jars in the blue recycling container. The catch is that they must be translucent, empty, and originally used for food or beverages. Pyrex, canning jars, light bulbs, and window glass remain strictly prohibited.
Taping Requirement for Large Glass Disposal
If you are disposing of a broken glass door, a large mirror, or a window pane, you cannot simply leave it out for bulk collection as-is. The city requires residents to heavily tape the glass sections in a grid pattern to prevent dangerous shattering on the street, or place the broken glass securely inside a cardboard box next to your green trash cart.
Assistance for Seniors and Disabled Residents
Norfolk recognizes that maneuvering a heavy 90-gallon garbage cart to the curb can be physically demanding. If age or a physical disability prevents you from handling the standard cart, you can call Customer Service to schedule an inspector visit. Qualifying residents will either be provided with a smaller, more manageable cart or be placed on a specialized exempt list for collection assistance.
Drop-off Facilities
Waste Management Drop-Off Recycling Center
1176 Pineridge Road, Norfolk, VA 23502
Materials Accepted
Towing and Recovery Drop-Off Recycling Center
1188-A Lance Road, Norfolk, VA 23502
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put glass bottles in my blue recycling bin in Norfolk?
Yes. Unlike many neighboring cities, Norfolk still accepts glass bottles and jars in its curbside recycling program. They must be translucent, empty, and originally used for food or drinks. Window glass, Pyrex, and light bulbs are not accepted.
What kind of bags do I need for yard waste?
All grass clippings, leaves, and small yard debris must be placed in clear plastic bags weighing no more than 45 pounds. The city will not collect yard waste in black garbage bags. You are allowed up to 20 clear bags or bundles per collection.
What should I do with shredded paper?
Shredded paper is prohibited from the blue curbside recycling bins because it jams the machinery at the sorting facility. You should place shredded paper in your green trash cart, or take it to a specialized community shredding event.