Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Richmond
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 City-Issued Supercan Bin (Trash)
Trash is collected Monday through Thursday. Carts must be placed at the collection point (curb or alley) by 6:00 a.m. on your designated day. All trash must be bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓General solid waste
Green or Blue CVWMA Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the cart. Ensure all containers are rinsed and free of food residue. Collection occurs bi-weekly.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Food and beverage cartons (milk/juice)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (metal caps removed)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (replace caps)
- ✓Flattened cardboard and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Plastic motor oil bottles
- ✕Pizza boxes with grease/food residue
- ✕Batteries and tanglers (cords/hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Small twigs and brush must be bundled and tied. Place next to your recycling cart on your bi-weekly recycling collection week. Do not bag yard waste in black plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree limbs (max 6 feet long, 3 inches in diameter)
- ✓Smaller twigs and yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Bi-weekly, synchronized with your recycling week
Placement
Place items by 6:00 a.m. at your normal collection point next to your recycling cart, ensuring they do not block traffic or alleyways.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large household items
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Brush and twigs (bundled, max 6ft long/3in diameter)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances (requires $50 fee and scheduled request)
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Carpet
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Standard bi-weekly pickup is free. A 24-hour expedited pickup costs $100. Appliance collection is $50. Payments must be made via check or money order at City Hall.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Richmond DPW operates a Monday-Thursday trash schedule. If a city holiday falls on one of these days, collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Monday moves to Tuesday). Friday serves as the makeup day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly brush and bulk collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as your standard trash.
Recycling is managed by CVWMA, which may have a slightly different holiday schedule than the city's trash service. Always check CVWMA.com for specific recycling holiday slides.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Motor Oil Ruins Recycled Plastics
Never put plastic motor oil bottles in your CVWMA recycling cart. The oil residue seeps into the porous plastic and cannot be removed during the washing process, contaminating entire batches of recyclable materials.
Strict Ban on Shredded Paper
Do not recycle shredded paper in Richmond, even if it is placed in a paper bag. The tiny shreds clog processing machinery, contaminate crushed glass, and become airborne litter inside the sorting facility.
No Plastic Bags—Ever
Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in CVWMA's recycling stream. They wrap around the gears of sorting screens, causing facility shutdowns and safety hazards. Return film plastics to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
November to DecemberDuring peak leaf season, DPW offers vacuum leaf collection based on designated neighborhood sectors. Residents are advised to check the city's specialized leaf collection map rather than placing all leaves out as bi-weekly bulk.
Winter
January to FebruaryIn the event of severe snow or ice, DPW trucks may be reallocated for plowing and salt distribution. Leave your supercan at the collection point; missed pickups are typically serviced once road conditions are deemed safe.
Summer
June to SeptemberRichmond frequently experiences intense summer storms. If a severe weather event causes heavy tree damage, DPW activates specialized emergency brush collection protocols independent of the normal bi-weekly schedule.
About Richmond Waste Management
Synchronized Bi-Weekly Bulk and Brush Collection
Richmond offers a highly convenient, schedule-based bulk and brush collection system. Instead of requiring residents to call ahead for every large item, the Department of Public Works automatically collects standard bulk waste and yard debris bi-weekly. This service is synchronized with your specific Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) recycling week. Items must simply be placed next to your recycling cart by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Expedited 24-Hour Bulk Service and Appliance Fees
If you cannot wait for your bi-weekly collection, Richmond provides an expedited 24-hour bulk pickup service for a flat fee of $100. Additionally, the disposal of large appliances (white goods) is never included in the standard free bulk service; it costs $50 per appliance. To utilize these premium services, residents must prepay by check or money order at the DPW Administration Office in City Hall.
The 'Richmond is on a Roll' Initiative
Following a major grant-funded initiative, Richmond successfully transitioned its recycling program to utilize standardized 95-gallon rolling carts. This program drastically improved the city's diversion rates. Managed regionally by CVWMA, the single-stream system allows residents to co-mingle glass, plastics, and paper, provided all materials are empty, clean, and kept entirely unbagged.
Zone-Based Neighborhood Clean-Ups
Beyond curbside services, the Richmond DPW and the Clean City Commission host dedicated neighborhood clean-ups across 15 distinct city zones. Each zone receives two specialized clean-up events per year, rain or shine, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The city even provides grabbers, gloves, and bags to community volunteers to help target illegal dumping and litter in local alleyways.
Drop-off Facilities
East Richmond Road Convenience Center
3800 East Richmond Road, Richmond, VA 23231
Materials Accepted
Richmond Southside Transfer Station
3520 North Hopkins Road, Richmond, VA 23224
Materials Accepted
Stratford Hills Drop-Off Recycling Center
6788 Forest Hill Avenue (near Hathaway Rd), Richmond, VA 23225
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a mattress or couch in Richmond?
You do not need to call ahead for a mattress or couch. The city collects standard bulk items for free on a bi-weekly basis, synchronized with your CVWMA recycling week. Simply place the item next to your recycling cart by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Will the city pick up my old refrigerator?
Yes, but appliances are not included in the free bulk service. You must request a special appliance collection and pay a $50 fee per appliance. Payments must be made by check or money order at City Hall before the pickup will be scheduled.
What is the holiday trash schedule for Richmond?
Because standard trash is only collected Monday through Thursday, the city uses a 'slide' schedule for holidays. If a holiday falls on your normal day, your collection will be delayed by one day, with crews using Friday as the final makeup day to finish the week's routes.
Can I recycle shredded paper in my CVWMA cart?
No. Shredded paper is strictly banned from curbside recycling carts because it clogs the sorting machines and contaminates the glass recycling process. It should be thrown in the trash or taken to a local community shredding event.