Garbage Collection

Household garbage collection

Household garbage collection is provided once a week to single-family residences. See the rollout carts section below for placement requirements. Other requirements are:

• Only town-provided carts may be used for collection. See the rollout carts and fees sections below for information on obtaining a second cart.
• 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 are responsible for removing 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 a franchise agreement negotiated by the town. The town has pursued such agreements at the request of the business community to leverage better pricing and services. Each customer pays the provider directly, with rates based on service level and frequency. All businesses are required to use the designated service provider, GFL Environmental.

The franchise agreement will expire July 31, 2022, without renewal. No action will be needed for those satisfied with GFL Environmental's service. Those who wish to change service will need to make arrangements for solid waste disposal and will be responsible for ensuring the provider meets the town's service standards. For more information on the change and service standards, see FAQ: Commercial Solid Waste Collection.

Cart allowance

Residences with active utility accounts are entitled to one free garbage rollout cart when the account is activated. A second cart can be obtained with payment of a fee. See the special collections, 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 before 7 a.m. the day of collection (or after 4 p.m. the day before 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.

Bulk items are collected once a month on regular garbage collection days. The 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.

Bulk items collected by the town include:

• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Appliances
• Water heaters
• Unmounted (rimless) tires 
• Scrap metal

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

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 will periodically be contacted in writing by town staff and asked to provide a doctor’s letter confirming continued need. 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 will be charged for the special pickup. An additional fee may be charged for items that are extremely heavy or cumbersome. 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 sanitation 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 is enforcing its policy on removal of all solid waste receptacles and uncollected solid waste from the street with fines. 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. 

The town will not collect the following items. See the Orange County Services section of this page for how to recycle or dispose of these items.

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

Other solid waste services are provided by Orange County Solid Waste Management. These include:

• Curbside recycling and recycling drop-off sites. Curbside service is provided on Wednesdays in Hillsborough.
• Household hazardous waste collection.
• Construction and demolition waste collection.
• Solid waste convenience centers.