Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Suffolk
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 or Blue 90-Gallon Container (Interchangeable) Bin (Trash)
Under the new SPSA SORT program, all trash and recyclables must be securely bagged together before being placed in either the blue or green can. Ensure the lid is closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓All household garbage
- ✓Plastics, glass, and metal
- ✓Food waste and organics
- ✓Paper and cardboard
Green or Blue 90-Gallon Container (Interchangeable) Bin (Recycling)
There is no longer a need to separate recyclables at the curb. If you prefer to manually separate your recycling, you must drive it to the voluntary drop-off dumpsters at the SPSA Regional Landfill.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed directly with household trash (mechanically sorted at facility)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Unbagged loose items
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Tires
- ✕Yard debris (must use Special Pick-Up)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is treated as a Special Pick-Up. Do not place yard debris inside the automated trash carts. You must schedule collection at least 48 hours in advance.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree limbs (under 6 feet long and 24 inches in diameter)
- ✓Brush and branches
- ✓Bagged leaves and clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (Up to 12 free pickups per service year)
Placement
Place items curbside no earlier than 24 hours prior to collection. Must be scheduled by calling 757-514-7630 at least 48 hours in advance.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Large cardboard boxes
- ✓ Debris and yard waste
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous materials and chemicals
- ✕ Regular household trash bags (must go in the automated bin)
- ✕ Tires (without specialized authorization)
The first 12 collections (up to 12 cubic yards each) per year are free. Piles exceeding the 12 cubic yard limit require a $100 advance payment made via the City Treasurer or online at suffolkezpay.us.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since routes run Tuesday through Friday, Monday holidays do not cause schedule changes. For holidays falling between Tuesday and Friday, collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Special Pick-Ups must be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Holiday closures at the Sanitation Office will affect your scheduling deadlines, so call early during holiday weeks.
Always confirm specific holiday shifts on the official Suffolk Refuse Holiday Calendar online, as non-Monday holidays will disrupt standard routing.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Everything Securely
Unlike traditional recycling programs that require items to be loose, Suffolk's new SPSA SORT system mandates that ALL household waste and recyclables be securely bagged. This prevents litter on the streets and keeps your automated containers clean.
Keep Bulk Out of the Can
Never stuff large household items, construction debris, or yard waste into your green or blue automated cart. If a bulky item is placed outside or sticking out of the can, it is considered a Special Pick-Up and requires an advance phone call.
Monitor Your Pile Size
When scheduling a Special Pick-Up, ensure your pile does not exceed 12 cubic yards (roughly 6 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet). If your debris pile exceeds this limit, the city requires a $100 fee paid in advance before collection will occur.
Seasonal Information
Summer
JulyThe service year for your 12 free Special Pick-Ups resets annually on July 1. Plan your major summer garage cleanouts or heavy yard pruning around this reset date to maximize your free allowances.
Autumn
October to DecemberDuring fall yard maintenance, remember that tree limbs must be strictly cut to less than 6 feet in length and no larger than 24 inches in diameter in order to qualify for curbside Special Pick-Up.
Year-Round
HolidaysBecause Suffolk's refuse collection routes operate exclusively Tuesday through Friday, Monday holidays like Labor Day or MLK Jr. Day will never disrupt or delay your normal neighborhood trash schedule.
About Suffolk Waste Management
The Revolutionary SPSA SORT System
In July 2026, Suffolk radically transformed its waste management approach by adopting the SPSA SORT program. Residents no longer need to separate household trash and recyclables at the curb. Instead, all household waste is bagged together and transported to a high-tech regional processing facility, where advanced mechanical sorting technology automatically recovers 20% of recyclable materials (like plastics and metals) and 30% of organics to be converted into biochar.
Interchangeable Green and Blue Carts
With the transition to the SORT system, the distinction between your green trash can and blue recycling can has been eliminated. Residents are permitted to use their old blue recycling bins interchangeably with their green refuse containers for regular curbside collection. A household is allowed a maximum of three total 90-gallon automated containers in any color combination.
The 12-Pickup Annual Bulk Allowance
Suffolk offers an incredibly generous Special Pick-Up service, granting every household up to 12 free bulk collections per service year (which runs from July 1 through June 30). Whether you are disposing of an old mattress, appliances, or a large pile of storm debris, you must call the Sanitation Office to schedule the pickup at least 48 hours prior to your normal refuse collection day.
Strategic Tuesday-Friday Route Scheduling
To maximize efficiency and minimize resident disruption, the City of Suffolk operates its standard refuse collection routes exclusively from Tuesday through Friday. Because the city does not collect trash on Mondays, popular federal Monday holidays like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day never cause a delay in the collection schedule.
Drop-off Facilities
Suffolk Transfer Station (SPSA Regional Landfill)
1 Bob Foeller Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434
Materials Accepted
John C. Holland Landfill & Environmental Disposal (Private)
4801 Nansemond Pkwy, Suffolk, VA 23435
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to separate my recycling in Suffolk?
No. With the implementation of the SPSA SORT system, Suffolk residents no longer need to separate recyclables. All household trash and recyclables go into the exact same bag and can be placed in either your blue or green container. The regional facility mechanically sorts the materials after collection.
Can I still use my blue recycling bin?
Yes! Under the new SORT system, you can use your blue bin interchangeably with your green bin for all bagged household waste. A residence is allowed up to three 90-gallon containers total, regardless of their color.
How does the Special Pick-Up (bulk waste) service work?
Residents are allowed 12 free Special Pick-Ups per year (resetting every July 1). You must call the Sanitation Office at 757-514-7630 at least 48 hours before your regular trash day to schedule it. Your pile cannot exceed 12 cubic yards (about 6'x6'x9').
Why doesn't my trash day change on Monday holidays?
Suffolk's Refuse Division schedules all standard residential collections between Tuesday and Friday. Therefore, major Monday holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Columbus Day will never affect or delay your normal pickup day.