Cary, NC Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Base frequency
- Once weekly, curbside
- Holiday weeks
- Special schedule applies
- Coverage
- Town limits only
- Governing section
- Cary Code § 26-40
Summary
The Town of Cary collects household garbage and rubbish once each week under its solid waste collection policy, with special schedules substituted during authorized holiday weeks.
The town shall collect, remove and dispose of all solid wastes, including, but not limited to, garbage and rubbish, within the town limits, except in case of emergency arising from an act of God or under circumstances over which the town has or had no control... Service shall consist of the collection of solid waste each week as set forth in the town solid waste collection policy, except during weeks when holidays are authorized and during which special schedules will be established.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2023 S-87_S-57: Current through local ordinance 2022-Code-05, passed 11-17-2022 and effective 11-17-2022 | LDO: Current through local ordinance 2022-LDO-04, passed 11-17-22 and effective 11-17-22).
Full Breakdown
Cary's public works department runs weekly curbside garbage collection town-wide rather than leaving pickup days to a private hauler's discretion. The town code sets the baseline as one collection per week per the town's solid waste collection policy, but that default shifts during weeks containing an authorized holiday, when a special schedule takes over instead. Service applies only within the town's corporate limits, not automatically to every Cary-addressed property in its ETJ.
Violations & Fines
Section 26-40 sets the service level, not a resident penalty; missed set-outs and unpaid sanitation charges are handled separately and can lead to suspended collection under other sections of this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Cary pick up trash?
Does a holiday change my Cary trash day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cary
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wake County handle collection schedule.