Trash collection often changes around major holidays as waste management companies adjust their schedules. This guide examines common holiday trash delays, tips to ensure pickup, and how to check your local holiday trash calendar.
Holidays that frequently alter trash collection:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day causes pickup delays across most of the U.S.
If January 1 falls on your normal collection day, expect service to be pushed back by one day that week. For example:
- Monday customers move to Tuesday
- Tuesday customers move to Wednesday
- Wednesday customers move to Thursday
- Thursday customers move to Friday
- Friday customers move to Saturday
Saturday customers may or may not be impacted depending on the company. Check your hauler’s holiday calendar for specific rescheduling details.
Memorial Day and Labor Day
Memorial Day and Labor Day also commonly cause delays of one day. For example:
- Monday customers move to Tuesday
- Tuesday customers move to Wednesday
- etc.
Again, Saturdays may or may not be affected. Verify with your waste provider.
July 4th
Since Independence Day falls in the middle of the week, some haulers operate normally except for suspending Wednesday service. Wednesday customers then move to Thursday that week.
Other companies delay service Monday through Wednesday, pushing each day back by one. Double check your local pickup calendar around July 4th.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving typically causes the most disruption since it spans multiple collection days. Normal schedules resume the week after Thanksgiving.
A common pattern is:
- Monday: Regular service
- Tuesday: Regular service
- Wednesday: Regular service
- Thursday: Closed for holiday – servicemoves to the Saturday after Thanksgiving
- Friday: Closed for holiday – service moves to the Monday after Thanksgiving
But confirm with your provider, as some may close Wednesday through Friday and others Monday through Friday of Thanksgiving week.
Christmas and New Year’s Holidays
When Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall close together or overlap on weekdays, trash pickup can face delays both weeks.
For example, if Christmas is on a Monday and New Year’s Day is on a Friday:
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Week of Christmas: Monday customers move to Tuesday. Tuesday-Thursday operate regularly. Friday customers move to Saturday.
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Week of New Year’s: Monday customers move to Tuesday. Tuesday-Thursday operate regularly. Friday customers move to Saturday.
Saturday service may or may not be impacted depending on the company.
Steps to Avoid Missed Pickup
With so many potential schedule changes, it’s wise to take proactive steps to prevent forgotten trash:
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Check your hauler’s website for a holiday collection calendar. Major nationwide providers like Waste Management and Republic Services publish pickup dates on their sites.
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Note schedule changes on your personal calendar. When you receive notice of holiday delays, immediately update your own calendar. Set reminders on impacted days.
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Don’t rely on memory. It’s easy to forget that Monday pickup moves to Tuesday during a holiday week. Refer back to written calendar notifications rather than depending on memory.
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Notify household members. Make sure everyone living at your home is aware of schedule changes. Post reminders on the fridge or in another highly visible spot.
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Wait to take bins to the curb. Only place cans out on morning of confirmed pickup days to avoid bins sitting on curbs for extended periods.
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Position bins properly. Make sure cans are accessible to collection crews on the adjusted day.
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Contact provider if missed. If your trash or recycling is accidentally skipped after a holiday, notify your waste company promptly to get back on the calendar.
Holiday Schedules for Major Providers
For your convenience, here are direct links to holiday pickup policies from two of the largest national waste providers:
Check with your specific hauler for localized details about your area. But you can leverage these nationwide schedules as a general guide of what to expect around major holidays.
The main takeaway is trash collection often shifts by one day around Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and other holidays. Use calendar notifications and reminders to keep your household on track!
Reference
https://www.wm.com/us/en/holiday-schedule
https://www.republicservices.com/schedule