How Waste Management Handles Holiday Trash Pickup Schedules

Waste collection services follow altered pickup schedules around major holidays. If your regular trash pickup day falls on or near a holiday, you’ll need to check your waste management provider’s holiday schedule to see if they are closed or operating on reduced hours. This will tell you when you can expect trash collection for that week.

Most major waste collectors like Waste Management post their holiday schedules online for customer convenience. Keep reading to learn more about how trash and recycling pickup works around holidays and view Waste Management’s 2022 holiday closure calendar.

When Holidays Impact Your Regular Trash Pickup

During holiday weeks, your normal trash pickup day may shift earlier or later in the week. Some holidays cause more disruption than others.

Here are a few key points on holiday trash collection:

• If the holiday falls on a weekday when trash is normally collected, pickup for the whole week often shifts. For example, if your regular pickup is Thursdays and the holiday is on a Monday, you may get picked up on Friday that week instead.

• Sometimes the holiday only impacts service on that particular day. So your pickup would be delayed by just 1 day rather than the whole week shifting.

• Major holidays often cause more schedule changes, while minor holidays may have minimal or no impact.

• When a holiday falls on the weekend, your normal collection days are unaffected.

• Holiday collection schedules may vary by location based on local customs and municipal hauler contracts.

To prevent any confusion or missed collection, always check your waste provider’s holiday calendar for specifics.

View Waste Management’s 2022 Holiday Schedule

As one of the largest waste management companies in the U.S., Waste Management publishes an annual holiday schedule on their website so customers can plan accordingly.

Below are the major holidays impacting Waste Management pickup in 2022:

New Year’s Day – Saturday, January 1: No service impact

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 17: Regular service

Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 21: Regular service

Memorial Day – Monday, May 30: Closed, service delayed 1 day

Independence Day – Monday, July 4: Closed, service delayed 1 day

Labor Day – Monday, September 5: Closed, service delayed 1 day

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 24: Closed, Thursday customers serviced Friday, 1 day delay

Christmas – Sunday, December 25: No service impact

New Year’s Day 2023 – Sunday, January 1: No service impact

View Waste Management’s full 2022 holiday schedule here.

Waste Management notes these schedules can vary by region and municipality. Customers should refer to their specific area’s holiday calendar for any additional local dates.

Search for your local WM branch’s holiday schedule or check your latest billing statement for specifics. Waste Management also posts reminders and schedule changes on their social media pages as holidays approach.

What To Do If Your Pickup Day Is a Holiday

If your normal trash day happens to fall on a holiday, follow these tips:

• Check the holiday schedule: Your pickup will likely shift to the preceding or following day that week. Confirm the adjusted schedule so you don’t miss collection.

• Set out bins 1 day early: To be safe, you can put your trash and recycling bins out 1 day before your rescheduled pickup date. This gives crews flexibility in case they run early that week.

• Don’t set bins out on the holiday: Even though your pickup is delayed, don’t put bins to the curb on the holiday itself or they may get overlooked if some crews are off work. Stick to the revised pickup date.

• Sign up for alerts: Waste Management offers email and text notifications to alert customers about holiday changes, severe weather delays, and other pickup alerts specific to your area.

• Check your city’s website: Your local municipal government often posts reminders about trash schedule changes around holidays as well.

With some advance planning using your hauler’s holiday calendar, you can ensure your trash gets picked up without any extra hassle. Contact Waste Management customer service if you have any other questions about holiday collection.

Waste Management Closures and Limitations Around Holidays

In addition to shifting collection days, some Waste Management facilities close entirely on major holidays or operate at limited capacity:

• Offices/call centers – Closed on holidays. Calls will be directed to automated message with holiday schedule.

• Recycling/disposal centers – May close or have reduced hours on holidays. Centers may also limit acceptance of certain material types on holidays when staffing is limited.

• Landfills – Open for limited hours or closed on major holidays at Waste Management’s discretion based on location and staffing availability.

Check with your local Waste Management branch directly for site-specific closure details heading into holidays. Collection or facility limitations around holidays will also be noted on wm.com and social media.

Planning Ahead for Holiday Waste and Recycling

Holidays often generate extra trash and recycling with food prep, packages, traveling, and gatherings. To keep waste under control:

• Review collection schedules early and set calendar reminders so bins get out on the right pickup day.

• Check space in your bins and order an extra pickup ahead of time if needed. WM offers extra bag/can service for an add-on fee.

• Crush boxes, rinse containers, and fully fill your recycling bin to maximize space.

• Follow WM recycling guidelines carefully – contamination can lead to waste ending up in a landfill.

• Safely dispose of cooking oils, grease, food waste, and hazardous waste rather than pouring down drains or placing in regular bins.

• Take advantage of holiday light recycling and Christmas tree collection programs offered in your area.

Getting More Holiday Waste Resources

For additional guidance on trash and recycling around the holidays, check out:

• Waste Management Holiday Tips

• Waste Management FAQs

• Your city or county’s waste management department website

• Waste Management’s social media channels like Facebook and Twitter for updates

With proper preparation using Waste Management’s published holiday collection schedule, you can ensure your trash gets picked up no matter what day the holiday falls on. Contact your local Waste Management branch with any other questions.