Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Portsmouth
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Tear Your Cardboard
Never fold and wedge large cardboard boxes into your trash can. They create a blockage that prevents the automated truck from dumping your waste. Either tear the cardboard into small pieces before tossing it in, or flatten and tie it neatly at the curb.
Clear Bags Only for Yard Waste
Do not use black contractor bags or opaque bags for leaves and grass clippings. Portsmouth strictly requires clear plastic bags so sanitation crews can visually verify there are no rocks, dirt, or mulch hidden inside, which would damage the processing equipment.
Don't Sweat the Sorting
Because Portsmouth is utilizing the advanced SPSA SORT system, you no longer have to worry about perfectly separating your plastics from your household trash. Just ensure all your refuse is contained within your existing black or blue bin for the AI-powered facility to sort later.
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.
About Portsmouth Waste Management
The SPSA SORT Transition: One Bin for All
Portsmouth is at the forefront of a major shift in waste management by transitioning to the SPSA SORT (Separating Organics, Recycling & Trash) program. Instead of requiring residents to meticulously separate their recyclables at home, the city is moving to a unified collection system. You simply place all your household trash and recyclables into your existing black or blue bins, and a single truck collects it all. Once transported to the advanced SPSA processing facility, a system of AI, cameras, and pneumatic jets automatically pulls out plastics, metals, and converts organics into biochar, significantly extending the life of the regional landfill.
The 2026 Bulk Pickup Overhaul
In mid-2026, Portsmouth completely overhauled its residential bulk collection program to combat illegal dumping and improve neighborhood aesthetics. You can no longer simply drag your old couch or mattress to the curb and expect it to be picked up on your trash day. Bulk collections are now strictly by appointment only. Residents must schedule a pickup online or by calling 757-393-8629 before placing any items outside. Placing bulk waste at the curb without a confirmed appointment violates Section 16-37(B) of the City Code and triggers a 24-hour removal notice followed by heavy fines.
Strict Bag Requirements for Yard Waste
While the new SPSA SORT system extracts food waste from regular garbage, dedicated yard debris like grass clippings and leaves must still be handled specifically at the curb. Portsmouth mandates that all yard waste must be placed in clear plastic bags only. Opaque bags, black contractor bags, or paper yard bags are not permitted for curbside collection. Furthermore, each household is strictly limited to 20 bags per week, and no individual bag may weigh more than 20 pounds.
Cardboard Box Breakdown Rules
Online shopping means more cardboard, but Portsmouth has specific rules on how it must be discarded. The city strongly prefers that residents flatten and tie their cardboard boxes, placing them at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. If you choose to place cardboard inside your black or blue container, you must physically tear it into smaller pieces. Shoving large, folded boxes into the can often wedges them tightly against the plastic, preventing the automated truck arms from successfully emptying the bin.
Handling Missing or Stolen Cans
If you wake up to find your city-issued trash container missing, calling Waste Management shouldn't be your first step. Because these bins are city property, you are required to contact the Portsmouth non-emergency police line at 757-393-5300 to officially file a stolen or missing can report. Once you receive your police report number, you must provide it to the Waste Management department before they will dispatch a replacement can to your address.
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.