Cary, NC Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency
- Weekly curbside
- Eligible
- Residential customers only
- Set out
- By 7:00 a.m. or prior dusk
- Bring in by
- 6:00 a.m. next day
Summary
The Town of Cary collects leaf and yard waste curbside once a week for residential customers only, with holiday weeks running on a special schedule.
(a) The town shall collect, remove and dispose of all leaf and yard waste from its residential solid waste collection customers 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 curbside collection of leaf and yard waste once 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 picks up leaf and yard waste at the curb once weekly for residential solid-waste customers inside town limits, following the town's solid waste collection policy; service pauses for acts of God or events outside town control, and holiday weeks run on adjusted schedules. The service excludes institutional, business, commercial and industrial customers, and doesn't cover land-clearing debris. Receptacles must go out streetside by 7:00 a.m. on collection day (or no earlier than dusk the day before) and come back by 6:00 a.m. the next morning, or a roll-in fee applies on a second violation within 12 months.
Violations & Fines
Leaving yard-waste receptacles at the curb past 6:00 a.m. the day after collection triggers a roll-in fee on the second occurrence within 12 months, set by the town's annual budget ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cary pick up yard waste from businesses?
Will my Cary yard waste day change on a holiday week?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cary
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Yard Waste Collection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wake County handle yard waste collection.