Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Staunton
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood collection zone. Wednesdays are reserved for holiday makeup routes and monthly yard waste pickup.
Recycling
No curbside pickup; drop-off only at the Staunton Recycling Center located at the Public Works facility (1911 Craigmont Road).
Yard Waste
First Wednesday of each month (for residents enrolled in the green yard waste bin program)
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse collection charges are managed by Staunton Public Works and bundled together on your monthly city water and sewer utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
City-Issued Cart (95-gallon or 45-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be in bags that are closed and tied INSIDE the city-issued bin. Bins must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day and removed by 6:00 a.m. the following day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Drop-Off Bins (Public Works Compound) Bin (Recycling)
Staunton does not provide curbside recycling. Residents must take recyclables to the drop-off center at 1911 Craigmont Rd.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household hazardous waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Monthly yard waste collection occurs on the first Wednesday of the month for customers who have obtained the specialized yard waste bin. Otherwise, brush can be bagged for regular trash or saved for the spring bulky brush event.
Accepted Items
- ✓Routine yard clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Biannually (Spring and Fall events)
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the first Monday of the event. Heavy trash trucks circulate through neighborhoods and may not collect on your normal trash day.
Accepted
- ✓ Old appliances (refrigerators, mowers, microwaves)
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Car batteries and electronics
- ✕ Stumps, rocks, and concrete
- ✕ Old vehicles, building materials, and tires
Heavy trash collection is free during the biannual events. If a resident places unacceptable heavy trash out at other times, a Special Collection crew will remove it and charge a $125 minimum fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday collection schedules are announced dynamically via the city's Newsroom and Refuse Calendar. Typically, if a holiday falls on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week slide forward by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Monthly yard waste (first Wednesday) may be rescheduled if the Wednesday falls on or immediately after a major holiday.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for trash schedule updates or check the official 2025/2026 Refuse Calendar on the city's website for exact holiday shift dates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
April and SeptemberThe city conducts its Heavy Trash Collection events during these months. Dates are announced in the Newsroom, and all heavy items must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the event's kickoff Monday.
Spring
April to MayBulky brush pickup is a spring-only event, scheduled for the two weeks immediately following the spring Heavy Trash Collection. Have your brush piles out by 6:30 a.m. on the first day.
Spring
AprilThe annual tire disposal drop-off takes place on a designated Saturday at the Gypsy Hill Park Football Stadium parking lot, shortly after the heavy trash weeks.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Those Cans and Bottles into Cash in the Staunton Area?
While Staunton itself doesn't have a dedicated local buyback center for cans and bottles right in the city limits, the state of Virginia has a robust system for redeeming beverage containers. So, those empty soda cans and water bottles can still earn you a little something! You'll want to look for redemption centers that handle these items. Sometimes larger grocery stores or dedicated recycling facilities in nearby towns might offer this service. Keep an eye out for signs or ask at your local grocery store if they participate in Virginia's deposit program for eligible drinks. It's a great way to get a few extra bucks while doing a good deed for the planet!
Giving Your Old Stuff a New Home in Staunton: Where to Donate?
Got items that are still perfectly good but you just don't need anymore? Instead of tossing them, consider giving them a second life! Staunton has a few fantastic spots where you can donate. The **Goodwill Store & Donation Center** is a well-known option for clothing, household goods, and more. Also, keep an eye out for **Habitat for Humanity ReStores**, as they often pop up in communities and are perfect for furniture, building materials, and home decor. Even local churches or community organizations might have specific drives or donation needs throughout the year. Dropping off usable items is a win-win – it helps others and keeps good things out of the landfill!
Keeping Staunton Clean: What to Do About Piles of Trash?
Nobody likes seeing trash dumped where it shouldn't be, right? If you happen to spot illegal dumping in or around Staunton, the best thing to do is report it. Your first point of contact should be the **Staunton City Public Works Department** or the **Augusta County Sheriff's Office** if it's outside city limits but still in the county. They have specific procedures for investigating and cleaning up these messes. While Staunton doesn't seem to have regularly scheduled community clean-up days advertised broadly, local neighborhood groups or volunteer organizations sometimes organize their own events. You can also check the city's official website or local news for any upcoming initiatives to keep our beautiful community tidy.
Drop-off Facilities
Augusta County Regional Landfill
749 Christians Creek Rd, Staunton, VA 24401
Materials Accepted
Public Works Compound (Recycling Drop-off)
1911 Craigmont Rd, Staunton, VA 24401
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have more trash than my city-issued bin can hold?
Only trash inside the city-owned bin or extra bags with official bag tags will be collected. You must purchase single-use bag tag stickers at City Hall or Public Works and affix them to each extra bag left outside the bin.
Does Staunton have curbside recycling?
No, the City of Staunton does not provide curbside recycling. Residents must take their recyclables to the community drop-off center located at the Public Works Compound on Craigmont Road.
When is heavy furniture and bulk trash picked up?
Heavy trash is collected twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The exact dates are announced in advance on the city's Newsroom, and items must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the first Monday of the event.
Are there specific rules for how trash must be placed in the cart?
Yes. The city strictly mandates that all trash inside your city-issued container must be fully bagged and tied shut. Loose items are not permitted. The container lid must also close securely.