Garbage Collection

Bulk items are collected once a month on regular garbage collection days, with residences allowed collection of one load a month that would fit into a pickup truck bed. For collection of additional items, see the special collections section.

The monthly bulk items collection week is the second full week of the month, with Sunday considered the start of the week. See the curbside collections calendar for exact weeks.

Bulk items may be placed at the curbside no earlier than seven calendar days before the scheduled collection date. Items collected by the town include:

• Appliances
• Furniture
• Grills if clean and free of charcoal and fuel tanks.
• Mattresses
• Scrap metal
• Unmounted (rimless) tires 
• Water heaters

For questions about other items, contact the Public Works Division by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

Household garbage collection

Household garbage collection is provided once a week to single-family residences. 

• Only town-provided carts may be used for collection. See the sections on rollout carts and fees below for information on obtaining a second cart.
• The town has requirements for how and when carts may be placed for collection and safety. See the sections on rollout carts and videos below.
• Only household garbage contained in bags should be placed in rollout carts.
• The cart lid should close completely.
• Paint cans must be dried, flattened and lidless.
• Residents must remove all solid waste receptacles and uncollected solid waste from the street by 6 a.m. the day after collection.

Commercial waste

Solid waste collection is provided to multi-family housing communities, businesses, churches and nonprofits through independent vendors. Businesses may use any vendor they choose, as long as the town’s standards are met. See the regulations below and an application for a dumpster exemption.

The town will not collect the following items. See Orange County's A to Z Waste and Recycling Guide and Solid Waste Management website for how to recycle or dispose of these items.

• Batteries
• Cardboard (must be recycled)
• Chemical byproducts
• Construction or demolition materials (includes lumber)
• Fuel cans or tanks
• Hazardous waste
• Medical waste
• Plastic bottles other than oil bottles (must be recycled)
• Pressurized containers
• Radioactive waste
• Shock sensitive waste
• Used oil

Cart allowance

Residences with active utility accounts are entitled to one free garbage rollout cart when the account is activated if they live in town limits on a publicly owned road. See the Jurisdiction and Service Areas page to determine whether a property is in town limits.

A second cart can be obtained with payment of a fee. See the violations and fees section below for more information on fees.

Delivery or repair

Cart delivery or repair work orders may be placed by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

Placement 

For collection and safety, carts:

• Should be placed at the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7 a.m. the day of collection.
• Must be placed within 3 feet of the curb, with the handle facing away from the street.
• Should be at least 4 feet from parked cars, trees or other obstructions.
• Should be removed from the street by 6 a.m. the day after collection.

Collection for residents with disabilities

The town provides special solid waste collection for residents with disabilities who live alone or with no able-bodied person in the household. Public Works employees retrieve the rollout trash containers from the residences of those who qualify.

To qualify for the service, the town must receive written confirmation from a doctor that the individual is not able to move the rollout cart. Individuals receiving the service must provide a doctor’s letter confirming continued need annually by May 1. No personal or health information will be requested, and no fee will be charged.

For more information or to apply, contact the Public Works Division by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

Special bulk items collection

A work order may be placed for special pickup of bulk items outside the regular collection week. A fee — beginning at $50 — will be charged for the special pickup. The fee will be based on the nature and amount of the materials and the estimated time required to collect them. Fees must be paid before collection is scheduled. Work orders can be placed by email or by calling 919-296-9600.

Violations

If requirements for curbside garbage collection are not followed, garbage will not be collected and a solid waste policy door tag will be left. If a bulk item is not collected by the town, a sanitation policy door tag will be left.

The town enforces its policy on removal of all solid waste receptacles and uncollected solid waste from the street with fees. Notices of violations are delivered by town staff or by mail. Residents have five days from the notice date to comply with the ordinance or a fee of $25 per day will be assessed.

Fees

Fees can be paid with cash or check at the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St., or with a credit or debit card through the town's payments and donations website. Contact the Public Works Division by email or at 919-296-9600 for more information about fees.