Finding Your Wake Forest, NC Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule

Knowing when your trash and recycling is collected in Wake Forest, NC is key to keeping your neighborhood clean. The Town of Wake Forest Public Works Department provides waste collection services to residents across the city. Use this guide to look up your scheduled pick-up days and learn how holidays impact the trash collection schedule.

Looking Up Your Collection Days

Most households in Wake Forest have trash collection once per week on the same day each week. You can call the Public Works Department at 919-435-9570 to find out your assigned collection day.

Here are some key details about Wake Forest’s trash collection:

• Trash carts provided by the city must be used. Do not use personal trash cans.

• Carts should be placed at the curb by 7:00am on your collection day.

• Trash must be bagged inside the cart. No loose trash is allowed.

• Do not place extra trash bags or boxes beside the carts. They will not be collected.

• Apartments and multi-family buildings with over 4 units are not eligible for city trash service.

Recycling Collection

Recycling is also collected weekly on your designated trash day. Accepted recyclable materials in Wake Forest include:

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Paper and cardboard
• Aluminum cans
• Glass jars and bottles

Make sure all recyclables are clean and placed loosely in your blue lid recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables.

Holiday Trash Collection Schedule

Holidays often impact your regular trash pickup schedule in Wake Forest. The city provides an annual holiday collection schedule detailing any changes.

The following major holidays alter trash collection:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

When a holiday falls on your normal collection day, pickups slide to the next day through Saturday.

For example:

• If the holiday is on a Monday, Monday pickup moves to Tuesday.

• If the holiday falls on a Friday, Friday pickup slides to Saturday.

The city posts press releases on their website to confirm trash collection schedule changes about 1 week before each holiday. You can also call 919-435-9570 for updates.

Holiday Yard Waste and Bulk Collection

The collection of yard waste and bulk items is also impacted by holidays in Wake Forest:

• Yard Waste – Service is suspended the week of Christmas. It resumes the following week, but Monday collection slides to Tuesday if the holiday was on a Monday.

• Bulk Items – Bulk item pickup slides to Wednesday the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s when those holidays fall on Mondays.

Check the Wake Forest holiday schedule for full details.

Properly Setting Out Trash and Recycling

Follow these guidelines when placing your carts curbside for collection in Wake Forest:

Trash Cart Tips

• Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00am on your collection day.

• Make sure the lid is closed tightly. Overflowing trash will not be collected.

• Do not overfill the cart. The lid should fully close.

• Bag all trash before placing it in your cart.

Recycling Cart Tips

• Recyclables should be clean and placed loosely in the cart – no plastic bags.

• Avoid contaminated recyclables. Items like food residue or trash may lead to rejection.

• Break down cardboard boxes to save space.

• Do not jam items in recycling cart. The lid should fully close.

Following these guidelines for curbside placement ensures trash and recycling are properly collected. It also prevents any litter or debris left behind in the neighborhood.

Special Waste Collection Services

In addition to regular garbage pickup, Wake Forest provides other waste collection services:

• Bulk Pickup – Residents can schedule bulky item collection up to 3 times per year for free by calling 919-435-9570.

• Yard Waste – Yard waste like leaves and branches are collected weekly on your trash day. Use paper bags or reusable containers.

• Food Waste – Food scraps can be dropped off for composting at designated locations on Saturdays from 8am-2pm.

• Hazardous Waste – Paint, chemicals, batteries and other household hazardous waste can be dropped off on Saturdays from 8am-3pm at the North Wake Hazardous Waste Facility.

Contact Public Works with Questions

If you have any questions about Wake Forest’s trash and recycling schedules, contact the Public Works Department:

Phone: 919-435-9570

Website: wakeforestnc.gov

The city’s website also contains additional information on trash policies, collection services, yard waste, and more.