Appleton, WI Trash & Recycling: Holiday Pickup Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Thanksgiving 2026 garbage
- Regular Thurs, Nov 26 moves to Wed, Nov 25
- Thanksgiving 2026 recycling
- Regular Thurs, Nov 26 moves to Fri, Nov 27
- Christmas 2026 garbage
- Regular Fri, Dec 25 moves to Mon, Dec 28
- New Year's 2027 garbage
- Regular Fri, Jan 1 moves to Mon, Jan 4
- Set-out rule
- Carts at the curb the night before collection
- Delegating code section
- Appleton Municipal Code § 15-33(a), Director of Public Works
Summary
Appleton's Department of Public Works prints a holiday chart that moves garbage and recycling pickup. For Thanksgiving 2026, Thursday Nov 26 garbage moves earlier to Wed, Nov 25. For Christmas, Fri, Dec 25 garbage moves to Mon, Dec 28. For New Year's, Fri, Jan 1 garbage moves to Mon, Jan 4.
During City observed holidays, your garbage and recycling collection may be affected. Your holiday garbage & holiday recycling pick up schedule may not be the same day during the holiday or at the same time, be sure to place your carts at the curb the night before collection. See chart for specific information for each City observed holiday. Note: Recycling is collected every other week. Garbage is collected weekly. Regular Pick Up Date | Holiday Garbage Pick Up Date | Holiday Recycling Pick Up Date | ... Thanksgiving 2026 Recycling Area #2 Thurs, Nov 26 Wed, Nov 25 Fri, Nov 27 Fri, Nov 27 Mon, Nov 30 Sat, Nov 28 Christmas Eve & Day 2026 Recycling Area #2 Thurs, Dec 24 Mon, Dec 28 Thurs, Dec 24 Fri, Dec 25 Mon, Dec 28 Sat, Dec 26 Mon, Dec 28 Tues, Dec 29 No Change New Year's 2027 Recycling Area #1 Fri, Jan 1 Mon, Jan 4 Sat. Jan 2
Full Breakdown
Appleton does not set holiday pickup dates in its municipal code. Section 15-33(a) says residential solid waste is collected one time per week and recycling every two weeks, from dwelling units according to a schedule established by the Director of Public Works, and Sec. 15-27 authorizes the Director to establish and enforce rules for refuse collection and storage. The holiday dates live on the Public Works Holiday Collection page, which says that during City observed holidays your garbage and recycling collection can be affected, that the holiday day or time can differ from your normal one, and that carts belong at the curb the night before collection. The page also repeats that recycling is collected every other week and garbage weekly.
The chart lists three columns: the regular pick up date, the holiday garbage pick up date and the holiday recycling pick up date. For Thanksgiving 2026 it is labeled Recycling Area #2. A regular Thursday, Nov 26 pickup becomes garbage on Wed, Nov 25 and recycling on Fri, Nov 27. A regular Friday, Nov 27 pickup becomes garbage on Mon, Nov 30 and recycling on Sat, Nov 28. Note that Thursday garbage moves earlier, not later, so carts go out before the holiday.
For Christmas Eve and Day 2026, also labeled Recycling Area #2, a regular Thursday, Dec 24 pickup becomes garbage on Mon, Dec 28 and recycling on Thurs, Dec 24. A regular Friday, Dec 25 pickup becomes garbage on Mon, Dec 28 and recycling on Sat, Dec 26. A regular Monday, Dec 28 pickup becomes garbage on Tues, Dec 29, and the recycling column reads No Change.
For New Year's 2027, the chart is labeled Recycling Area #1. A regular Friday, Jan 1 pickup becomes garbage on Mon, Jan 4 and recycling on Sat. Jan 2. The page also lists earlier 2026 holidays, Independence Day and Labor Day, which have already passed. Because the chart is tied to a recycling area label and to the regular pickup day, find your own regular day first, then read across the row. The page prints dates only and names no hours.
Violations & Fines
The holiday page prints no penalty of its own. Section 15-27 authorizes the Director of Public Works "to establish and enforce such rules and regulations deemed necessary for refuse collection and storage." Because the chart says holiday pickup can come on a different day or time, carts left out late risk missing the shifted collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Appleton garbage collected the week of Thanksgiving 2026?
What happens to Appleton pickup on Christmas Day 2026?
How does New Year's Day 2027 affect Appleton collection?
Who decides Appleton's collection schedule?
When should carts be at the curb for a holiday pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Appleton
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