Pickup Rules & Schedules: Apex vs Raleigh
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Apex and Raleigh have similar restriction levels.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex residential garbage and recycling collection is provided weekly by GFL Environmental (formerly Waste Industries) under contract with the Town, governed by Chapter 12, Article IV (Solid Waste Disposal) of the Apex Code of Ordinances. Yard waste collection is performed separately by the Town's own Public Works crews on the business day following the garbage/recycling day. Find your color-coded collection day at apexnc.org or via the ApexCollects mobile app, or call Ask Apex at (919) 249-3311. Holiday delays (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's) push collection one day later for the rest of that week.
View full Apex rules →Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Raleigh provides weekly garbage collection and bi-weekly recycling collection to single-family residences. Garbage carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day with the lid closed and handle facing the house. Items must fit inside the 95-gallon cart with the lid closed. Bulk items, yard waste, and recyclables each follow separate collection schedules. Collection is managed by Raleigh Solid Waste Services.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Code | Apex Code Ch. 12 Art. IV & V | - |
| Garbage/Recycling Hauler | GFL Environmental (formerly Waste Industries) | - |
| Yard Waste | Apex Public Works — next business day after trash | - |
| Cart Type | 96-gallon roll cart (trash + recycling) | - |
| Find Your Day | ApexCollects app or apexnc.org/1115 | - |
| Call Center | Ask Apex — (919) 249-3311 | - |
| Holiday Rule | 6 holidays = 1-day delay for the rest of the week | - |
| Illegal Dumping | NCGS 14-399 — misdemeanor to felony | - |
| Garbage Collection | - | Weekly curbside pickup |
| Recycling Collection | - | Bi-weekly curbside pickup |
| Set-Out Time | - | By 6:00 AM on collection day |
| Cart Orientation | - | Handle facing house, lid closed |
| Service Provider | - | Raleigh Solid Waste Services |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Who picks up my trash in Apex?
GFL Environmental (formerly Waste Industries) under contract with the Town for weekly curbside garbage and single-stream recycling. Yard waste is collected separately by the Town's own Public Works crews on the business day following your garbage/recycling day (e.g., Tuesday garbage = Wednesday yard waste). Find your color-coded collection day through the address-lookup tool at apexnc.org/1115, the ApexCollects mobile app, or by calling Ask Apex at (919) 249-3311. Six holidays delay collection one day for the rest of that week.
Can I use a different hauler for residential trash in Apex?
No. The Town contracts the residential collection franchise to GFL Environmental under Chapter 12, Article IV of the Apex Code of Ordinances. Yard waste is exclusively collected by Town Public Works crews. Apartments and businesses generally use commercial dumpsters arranged separately with private haulers. Household hazardous waste and electronics are excluded from regular collection — take them to the South Wake Solid Waste Management Facility at 6130 Old Smithfield Road, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Raleigh FAQ
How often is garbage collected in Raleigh?
Garbage is collected weekly. Recycling is collected every other week. Place your carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
What if my garbage doesn't fit in the cart?
All garbage must fit inside the 95-gallon cart with the lid closed. Extra bags left beside the cart will not be collected. You can request an additional cart from Solid Waste Services for an extra monthly fee.
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