City guide · Utah
Provo Trash Pickup Schedule
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The Provo trash pickup schedule runs on a four-day route week - Monday through Thursday only - using three color-coded cans. The quirk worth knowing: New Year's Day doesn't delay anything here, which is the opposite of nearly every other city covered on this site. Here's the full picture, including the green can season dates for 2026.
How often is trash picked up in Provo?
Garbage, recycling and yard waste are all collected Monday through Thursday, with your day set by address. Black and blue cans run every week year-round; the green can runs weekly but only in season.
| Can | Stream | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Garbage | Weekly, year-round |
| Blue | Recycling | Weekly, year-round |
| Green | Yard waste | Weekly, March to November only |
Weekly recycling puts Provo in the minority - most cities on this site run recycling every other week. All three cans share one collection day, so there's only one day per address to remember.
Black, blue and green cans
Provo's color coding is straightforward, and because recycling is weekly rather than alternating, there's no A/B week to track. The only variable is whether the green can is in season.
The green can season
The 2026 green yard waste season runs from March 2 to November 27. Outside those dates the green can isn't emptied, so yard debris has to wait or go elsewhere.
| Period | Green can status |
|---|---|
| March 2 - November 27, 2026 | Collected weekly on your garbage day |
| Late November - early March | Not collected |
Late November is the point to watch. The season ends on November 27, so autumn leaf clearing needs to be finished before then rather than drifting into December.
Find your exact pickup day
One lookup returns all three streams, since they share a day:
Open the Sanitation Schedule Map on provo.gov →
Cart placement rules
- Cans out by 6:00 a.m. on your pickup day to avoid being missed
- Set out the night before - the 6 a.m. deadline is early
- Keep lids closed
- Leave clearance between cans for the automated arm
- Keep cans clear of plowed snow in winter
Provo Trash Holiday Schedule
Provo publishes a specific adjustment per holiday rather than applying one blanket rule, and the adjustments genuinely differ - some delay the whole week, one affects only part of it, and New Year's Day doesn't delay anything.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, Jan 1 | No - regular schedule |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Yes - one day late all week |
| Independence Day | Saturday, Jul 4 | Yes - one day late for Tue-Thu pickup |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sep 7 | Yes - one day late all week |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov 26 | Yes - Thursday pickup moves to Friday |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec 25 | Yes - one day late all week |
Thanksgiving is the one to watch if you're on a Thursday route - it's the only time Provo runs a Friday collection, since the normal week ends on Thursday. Note too that Independence Day affects only Tuesday through Thursday customers rather than the full week.
What goes in each can
Black - garbage
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste
- Food-soiled paper & napkins
- Plastic bags & film wrap
- Pet waste, diapers
Keep out
- Batteries & electronics
- Paint, chemicals, motor oil
Blue - recycling
WeeklyGoes in
- Cardboard, flattened
- Paper, mail, magazines
- Metal cans, empty & rinsed
- Plastic bottles & jugs
Keep out
- Plastic bags - they jam sorters
- Styrofoam, food waste
Green - yard waste
Mar 2 - Nov 27Goes in
- Grass clippings & leaves
- Trimmings and small branches
- Garden debris
Keep out
- Anything outside the season
- Dirt, rocks, household trash
Apartments & multifamily buildings
The three-can service covers residential addresses on city collection. Apartment complexes in Provo are generally served by shared containers arranged through the property, so collection frequency and any yard waste provision sit with the building rather than the Sanitation Schedule Map. Renters should check with their property manager.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Provo trash pickup schedule?
What are the three cans?
When does the green can season run?
Why are there no Friday routes?
What time do cans need to be out?
Which holidays affect trash pickup?
Is there collection on New Year's Day?
How do I find my collection day?
More Utah guides
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Four carts & optional paid glass
West Valley City, UT
ACE Disposal & every-other-week recycling
West Jordan, UT
Free dumpster days & e-waste events
City contact & resources
Provo City Sanitation
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