City guide · Virginia
Richmond Trash Pickup Schedule
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Richmond runs curbside collection Monday through Thursday only - there's no Friday route - and DPW will only collect from a city-issued container called a supercan, not personal trash cans or loose bags.
Here's how the weekly schedule breaks down, why the supercan matters, and how the city's 14 observed holidays affect your week.
How often is trash picked up in Richmond?
Trash is collected once a week, on a day between Monday and Thursday assigned to your address. Recycling runs every other week on that same day.
| Stream | Frequency | Collection days |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | Weekly | Monday - Thursday only |
| Recycling | Every other week | Same day as trash |
Find your exact pickup day
Enter your address into the DPW Service Finder to see your trash day, recycling day, and neighborhood cleanup day:
Look up your Richmond collection day →
Or call 311 (804-646-7000) from within the city.
The supercan requirement
DPW only collects trash from city-issued supercans that carry a valid serial number - personal containers and loose bags left at the curb won't be picked up. If you don't have one, contact 311 to request it.
Bin placement rules
- Set your supercan out after 4 p.m. the day before collection
- Remove it by 7 a.m. the day after your collection day
- Only city-issued supercans with a valid serial number are collected
Richmond Trash Holiday Schedule
Richmond observes 14 city holidays. There's no collection on a holiday itself - service resumes the following day and continues through Friday, meaning a holiday week can add a Friday pickup that normally wouldn't happen.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Affects pickup? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Yes - week shifts one day later |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Yes - week shifts one day later |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | No change (falls on a non-collection day) |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Yes - week shifts one day later |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Yes - week shifts one day later |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Yes - week shifts one day later |
Richmond's 14 observed holidays include several beyond the ones listed here - confirm the full list and any given week's exact adjustment through the DPW Service Finder or 311.
When any weekday holiday hits, the whole week's remaining routes shift one day later rather than just skipping that single day.
What goes in each container
Trash (supercan)
WeeklyGoes in
- Bagged household waste
- Non-recyclable items
Keep out
- Recyclables
- Loose bags outside the supercan
Recycling
Every other weekGoes in
- Paper, cardboard, glass
- Metal & plastic containers
Keep out
- Plastic bags & film
- Food-soiled items
Reporting a missed pickup
Report a missed collection or a supercan issue by calling 311 (804-646-7000), or submitting a request through the city's service portal at rva.gov.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Richmond trash pickup schedule?
What container does Richmond require for trash?
How often is recycling picked up in Richmond?
Does a holiday delay trash pickup in Richmond?
How do I find my exact collection day in Richmond?
More Virginia guides
Virginia Beach, VA
Trash & recycling days
Chesapeake, VA
Trash & recycling days
Norfolk, VA
Trash & recycling days
Arlington, VA
Trash & recycling days
City contact & resources
Richmond Department of Public Works
Bookmark this Richmond trash pickup schedule and check back whenever a holiday shifts Richmond's collection calendar.
Need more than curbside pickup? Compare local bulk & junk removal quotes. Browse all Virginia cities or the full state directory.