Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Portsmouth
Trash Day
Collection runs Tuesday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected on your regular scheduled pickup day.
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular pickup day in clear plastic bags (maximum 20 bags per week, up to 20 lbs each).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (set out after 5:00 PM the evening before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse collection is billed as a flat monthly fee bundled directly onto your City of Portsmouth Department of Public Utilities water and sewer bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Phone, Mail, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Special set-out collection assistance is available for eligible seniors and disabled residents, as well as state/local income-qualified utility relief programs.
Black or Blue (City-issued) Bin (Trash)
Place your bin at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. All trash and recyclables are collected together in one truck under the new SPSA SORT initiative.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓All recyclable materials (under SPSA SORT transition)
Black or Blue (Combined with Trash) Bin (Recycling)
Due to the transition to the SPSA SORT system, residents no longer need to separate recyclables at the curb. Place recyclables in your regular bin for automated sorting at the facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics, metals, and organics (Processed at facility)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Heavy construction debris
- ✕Automotive parts
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in clear plastic bags only. Max 20 lbs per bag. Max 20 bags per household per week. Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (effective October 1, 2026)
Placement
Do not place items at the curb until your appointment is confirmed. If left unscheduled, items are subject to a 24-hour removal notice and potential fines.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (couches, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tree limbs and branches (meeting city size requirements)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
- ✕ Commercial and industrial waste
- ✕ Eviction cleanout materials
- ✕ Materials removed from vacant lots
- ✕ Construction debris
Standard residential bulk pickup is included for city residents provided it is properly scheduled. Landlords and contractors must arrange and pay for private disposal of their debris.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Trash collection is generally delayed by one day following a major city-observed holiday for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular refuse and bulk pickups.
Always check the Portsmouth 'Holiday Trash Schedule' webpage or the city's social media channels for specific routing shifts during holiday weeks.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Late Summer/Fall
OctoberThe city's mandatory bulk waste appointment program officially ended its grace period in late summer 2026. As you prepare for fall cleanups, remember you must schedule your bulk pickup in advance, or you will face immediate code enforcement fines.
Autumn
November to DecemberLeaf season can generate a massive amount of yard waste. Remember that you are limited to 20 clear plastic bags per household per week, so you may need to pace your raking and bagging over several weeks.
Year-Round
January to DecemberIf you are a landlord managing properties in Portsmouth, note that the city will not collect bulk waste or trash piles resulting from tenant evictions. Landlords are entirely responsible for hauling away eviction debris privately.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans to Cash In? Where to Turn Your Bottles & Metal in Portsmouth
While Portsmouth doesn't have specific buyback centers listed right in the city for cans and bottles, Virginia does have a redemption program for many beverage containers. Keep an eye out for those 10-cent deposits! For larger metal items, like old appliances or scrap metal that's too big for regular pickup, your best bet is to find a local scrap yard. A quick search for "scrap metal yards near Portsmouth VA" should point you in the right direction. Some might even offer pickup for larger loads, saving you a trip!
Give Your Good Stuff a Second Life: Donating Around Portsmouth
Instead of tossing perfectly good items, think about giving them a new home! For clothing, furniture, or household goods, check out the Goodwill Community Store on Airline Boulevard. They're always looking for donations that can help fund job training programs. Another great option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Chesapeake, which is just a short drive away and accepts furniture, building materials, and home decor. Your donation makes a real difference to folks in our community.
Keeping Portsmouth Beautiful: Tackling Tossed Trash Together
Nobody likes seeing trash where it doesn't belong. If you happen to spot illegal dumping happening in Portsmouth, the city's Public Works department wants to hear about it. You can usually report this by calling their main number or checking the city's official website for a specific reporting form or hotline. They often organize community clean-up events, especially around parks and waterways, so keep an eye on local news and city announcements to see how you can pitch in and help keep our neighborhoods clean and green.
Drop-off Facilities
SPSA Regional Landfill (Household Hazardous & E-Waste)
1 Bob Foeller Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portsmouth have a separate recycling bin?
No. Portsmouth is transitioning to the SPSA SORT system. Residents simply place all their household trash and recyclables into their existing black or blue bins, and a single truck collects it. The sorting of plastics, metals, and organics is done automatically by AI and robotics at the SPSA facility.
Can I just leave my old mattress on the curb for bulk pickup?
No. As of late 2026, Portsmouth shifted to a strictly 'by appointment only' bulk collection system. You must schedule your pickup online or by calling 757-393-8629 before placing items outside. Unscheduled items will trigger code enforcement fines.
What kind of bags should I use for yard waste in Portsmouth?
You must use clear plastic bags for all yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves. Opaque bags or paper yard bags are not accepted. Each household is limited to 20 clear bags per week, and each bag must weigh 20 pounds or less.
What should I do if my city trash can is stolen?
If your bin is missing or stolen, do not call Waste Management right away. You must first contact the Portsmouth non-emergency police number (757-393-5300) to file a missing/stolen can report. Once you have the report number, provide it to Waste Management to request your replacement.