Raleigh 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.
Raleigh 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
- Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars with lids attached (rinse clean, empty, no pump dispensers)
- Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage containers, rinsed clean with lids returned)
- Metal food and beverage cans (aluminum, steel, and tin cans, rinsed clean)
- Cardboard boxes (flatten completely before placing loose in cart)
- Paper cartons, cereal boxes, paperboard boxes, magazines, envelopes, and newspapers
- Brown paper grocery bags
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic wraps, and plastic film (never bag recyclables)
- Aerosol cans, automotive batteries, and lithium batteries
- Aluminum foil, ceramic items, and household glassware
- Clothing, textiles, shoes, and toys
- Styrofoam cups, plates, and packing peanuts
- Tanglers including electrical cords, hoses, chains, and wire
- Shredded paper and medical waste
Can you recycle these items in Raleigh?
Can you recycle cardboard in Raleigh?
AcceptedFlatten all cardboard boxes completely before placing loose inside your blue recycling cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Raleigh?
Accepted with conditionsClean cardboard lids free of food and grease may be recycled; grease-soaked portions belong in household trash.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Raleigh?
AcceptedRinse PET beverage bottles and jugs clean; replace caps firmly before placing loose in bin.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Raleigh?
AcceptedRinse HDPE milk jugs and detergent containers; leave lids attached.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Raleigh?
Not acceptedRigid PVC plastics labeled #3 are not accepted in the curbside recycling stream.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Raleigh?
Not acceptedPlastic films and grocery bags labeled #4 are not accepted; return them to participating retail store drop-offs.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Raleigh?
AcceptedRinse clean polypropylene food tubs, yogurt cups, and dairy containers.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Raleigh?
Not acceptedPolystyrene cups, takeout clamshell containers, and packing foam are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Raleigh?
Not acceptedOther miscellaneous plastics labeled #7 are not accepted in curbside carts.
Can you recycle glass in Raleigh?
AcceptedRinse food and beverage glass bottles and jars clean; metal lids and caps may be returned to jars.
Can you recycle aluminum in Raleigh?
AcceptedRinse soda cans, pet food cans, and vegetable tins; place loose in the cart.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Raleigh?
Not acceptedShredded paper clogs sorting equipment; place shredded paper in regular garbage.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department · municipal dpw
Phone: 919-996-3245
630 Beacon Lake DriveRaleigh, NC 27610
These collection rules cover Zone City of Raleigh Curbside Service Area.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Raleigh, NC?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place your dark green cart on the curb the night before your collection day or no later than 6 a.m. the day of collection. Remove carts from the curb no later than 7 p.m. after pickup.. These rules apply to Zone City of Raleigh Curbside Service Area.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Raleigh?
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: Thanksgiving Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Raleigh Curbside Service Area.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Raleigh?
Bulky load collection is scheduled in advance by calling Customer Support at 919-996-3245. Bulky loads cost $35 per 4-cubic-yard increment. Items placed at the curb before scheduling are subject to city code citations. The listed limit is 4 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 919-996-3245 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Raleigh Curbside Service Area.
What items are accepted for recycling in Raleigh?
The listed accepted materials are Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars with lids attached (rinse clean, empty, no pump dispensers), Glass bottles and jars (food and beverage containers, rinsed clean with lids returned), Metal food and beverage cans (aluminum, steel, and tin cans, rinsed clean), Cardboard boxes (flatten completely before placing loose in cart), Paper cartons, cereal boxes, paperboard boxes, magazines, envelopes, and newspapers, Brown paper grocery bags. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic wraps, and plastic film (never bag recyclables), Aerosol cans, automotive batteries, and lithium batteries, Aluminum foil, ceramic items, and household glassware, Clothing, textiles, shoes, and toys, Styrofoam cups, plates, and packing peanuts, Tanglers including electrical cords, hoses, chains, and wire, Shredded paper and medical waste. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Raleigh Curbside Service Area.