Charlotte Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Charlotte recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Cardboard and small boxes that have been cut or torn into small pieces
- Plastic bottles and jugs with necks (empty and dry)
- Paper, magazines, catalogs, and newspapers
- Milk and juice cartons (rinse clean)
- Glass bottles and jars (all colors; lids can remain on)
- Empty aluminum and steel metal cans
Prohibited items
- Cardboard that has not been cut or broken down into small pieces
- Plastic bags, plastic wraps, plasticware, cups, and food trays
- Styrofoam cups, plates, and packaging materials
- Shredded paper, paper plates, napkins, and paper towels
- Hoses, cords, wires, electronics, and scrap metal
Can you recycle these items in Charlotte?
Can you recycle cardboard in Charlotte?
AcceptedCut or tear cardboard boxes into small pieces so they fit loosely inside the cart without jamming.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Charlotte?
Accepted with conditionsClean cardboard sections can be recycled if cut into small pieces; grease-stained or food-soiled cardboard goes in the garbage.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Charlotte?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean plastic bottles and jugs with necks.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Charlotte?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean milk jugs and detergent bottles with necks.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Charlotte?
Accepted with conditionsRigid containers with necks accepted; wide tubs or trays should be verified with Waste Wizard.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Charlotte?
Not acceptedPlastic grocery bags and plastic wrap are prohibited from the recycling cart.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Charlotte?
AcceptedClean plastic bottles and containers accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Charlotte?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam products (Styrofoam cups, food trays, packaging) are strictly prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Charlotte?
Accepted with conditionsRigid plastic bottles and containers accepted; bulky plastics prohibited.
Can you recycle glass in Charlotte?
AcceptedRinse glass bottles and jars clean; all colors accepted; lids may stay on.
Can you recycle aluminum in Charlotte?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse aluminum beverage cans and steel food cans.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Charlotte?
Not acceptedShredded paper is prohibited in curbside recycling carts; take to county drop-off sites or compost.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services · municipal dpw
Phone: 704-336-7600
600 E 4th StCharlotte, NC 28202
These collection rules cover Zone Residential Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Charlotte, NC?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place garbage cart at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and no sooner than the day before collection. Carts must be removed by midnight on collection day.. These rules apply to Zone Residential Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Charlotte?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Residential Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Charlotte?
Bulky waste must be scheduled in advance online at curbit.charlottenc.gov, via the CLT+ app, or by calling CharMeck 311 (704-336-7600); set out by 6:00 a.m. on scheduled date. The listed limit is 10 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 704-336-7600 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Residential Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).
What items are accepted for recycling in Charlotte?
The listed accepted materials are Cardboard and small boxes that have been cut or torn into small pieces, Plastic bottles and jugs with necks (empty and dry), Paper, magazines, catalogs, and newspapers, Milk and juice cartons (rinse clean), Glass bottles and jars (all colors; lids can remain on), Empty aluminum and steel metal cans. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Cardboard that has not been cut or broken down into small pieces, Plastic bags, plastic wraps, plasticware, cups, and food trays, Styrofoam cups, plates, and packaging materials, Shredded paper, paper plates, napkins, and paper towels, Hoses, cords, wires, electronics, and scrap metal. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Residential Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday).