City guide · Virginia
Norfolk Trash Pickup Schedule
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Norfolk keeps its curbside calendar fairly simple - weekly garbage, recycling every other week, both on the same day - but it handles holiday weeks differently from most cities on this site. Instead of shifting your whole week, a missed holiday route gets made up the following Saturday.
Here's how the weekly and biweekly streams line up, and how that Saturday makeup rule actually works.
How often is trash picked up in Norfolk?
Garbage goes out weekly, and recycling goes out every other week, both on the same collection day for your address.
| Stream | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Garbage | Weekly |
| Recycling | Every other week, same day as garbage |
Find your exact pickup day
Your day varies by service address, so confirm it directly rather than guessing from a neighboring block:
Look up your Norfolk collection day →
Or call Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510, or check the 2026 Recycling Collection Calendar (PDF) on norfolk.gov.
Bin placement rules
- Set containers out no earlier than 5 p.m. the evening before collection
- Have containers curbside by 7 a.m. on your collection day
- Remove containers by 11:30 p.m. the same day
Norfolk Trash Holiday Schedule
Norfolk handles holiday weeks differently than most cities: when Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day falls on your regular collection day, that route isn't pushed to the next weekday - it's made up the following Saturday instead.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Yes - made up the following Saturday |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | No change |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | No change (falls on a non-collection day) |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | No change |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Yes - made up the following Saturday |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Yes - made up the following Saturday |
This means the rest of your week's schedule generally stays intact, unlike cities where an entire week shifts one day later after a holiday.
What goes in each bin
Garbage
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste
- Non-recyclable items
Keep out
- Recyclables
- Bulk items (need a separate request)
Recycling
Every other weekGoes in
- Paper, cardboard, glass
- Metal & plastic containers
Keep out
- Plastic bags & film
- Food-soiled items
Bulk waste pickup
Request bulk waste pickup by 3 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection through the MyNorfolk app or resident portal, or by calling Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510.
Reporting a missed pickup
Report a missed collection or ask about your schedule through Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510, or submit a request through the MyNorfolk app or online portal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Norfolk trash pickup schedule?
Does a holiday delay garbage collection in Norfolk?
Is bulk waste pickup free in Norfolk?
How do I find my exact collection day in Norfolk?
How do I report a missed pickup in Norfolk?
More Virginia guides
Virginia Beach, VA
Trash & recycling days
Chesapeake, VA
Trash & recycling days
Richmond, VA
Trash & recycling days
Arlington, VA
Trash & recycling days
City contact & resources
Norfolk Cares / Public Works
Bookmark this Norfolk trash pickup schedule and check back whenever a holiday shifts Norfolk's collection calendar.
Need more than curbside pickup? Compare local bulk & junk removal quotes. Browse all Virginia cities or the full state directory.