Solid Waste
Online Forms
Start Solid Waste Service/Request Trash & Recycling Carts
Use this form to Request Solid Waste Collection Service, Upgrade Your Recycling Cart, Order Extra Trash & Recycling Carts, and/or Report Damaged or Missing Carts
Request a Bulk Pickup
Use this form to schedule a bulk waste pickup. Bulk pickups are provided on Tuesdays by appointment only. Bulk waste that is scheduled for collection before 2 p.m. on Monday will be picked up the following day (Tuesday). Continue to leave your items at the curb if not collected. It may take a few days to collect items during high volume weeks.
Request a Brush Pickup
Use this form to schedule a brush pickup. Appointments must be scheduled by 2 p.m. the day prior to collection. Collections will occur on your normal collection day. Brush collection requests are limited to 20 per service day to make sure we complete requests in a safe and timely manner.
Report a Missed Trash/Recycling Collection
Use this form to report a missed trash and/or recycling collection. Missed collections reported after 5 p.m. the following business day will be collected on your next scheduled trash day.
Sign Up for Waste Wizard
The Waste Wizard makes it easy for Wake Forest residents to stay informed about the Town’s trash, recycling and yard waste collection programs, including changes to their normal collection schedules. The Waste Wizard is an interactive tool that allows users to sign up for waste collection reminders and download collection schedules. The resource also allows users to type in key words related to disposable household materials and receive valuable disposal tips. From aluminum cans and phone books to popcorn bags and plastic beverage bottles, the search tool helps residents determine which items can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away. As a bonus, the Waste Wizard is provided as a function on the Town of Wake Forest app.
Bag Trash, Not Recycling
Town ordinance requires that trash be bagged before being placed in the cart. This prevents flyaway litter as the cart is emptied into the truck. Also, do not place bags or boxes of trash on the ground. Bags and/or boxes of trash left beside the cart will not be serviced. Recyclables should be placed loosely in your recycling cart.
Days of Service
Use the Waste Wizard "My Schedule" function to determine your collection day and/or receive a customized calendar or notification for your trash and recycling schedule!
Positioning Carts at the Curb
Only carts properly positioned along the right-of-way are eligible for curbside collection service. When setting your carts out for collection, please remember the following:
Place cart at the curb before 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
- Carts must be rolled out to the right-of-way with the arrows facing out to the street;
Leave four feet of space between the carts so the truck's mechanical "arm" can grip each cart;
Carts should be at least four feet away from power poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, trees and cars.
Please note: Trash and recycling collection trucks are not allowed to go on private property for pick-up, unless special permission is granted by the Assistant Public Works Director.
Commercial Service
All multi-family residential (greater than four units total), office, institutional, educational, commercial and industrial uses shall have refuse collection through a dumpster system and may contract with any commercial service provider. Please note: Trash and recycling carts provided by the Town of Wake Forest are intended for residential properties only.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is described as vegetative matter resulting from landscaping maintenance performed by the homeowner only, including but not limited to leaves, twigs, grass, limbs, hedge clippings, hay/pine straw, pine cones, and logs.
Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk Waste is defined as "refuse including appliances, furniture and other large items.." All bulk waste pickups are provided on Tuesdays on an "as needed" basis. Bulk pickups are scheduled online.
Bulk pickups scheduled by 2 pm on Monday will receive service that Tuesday.
Solid Waste Billing
On January 1, 2021, solid waste billing changed. As a result, Solid Waste service is no longer covered by annual tax revenues, but instead by a $21 monthly solid waste fee included on residents’ Raleigh Water bill. The fee includes weekly trash, recycling and yard waste collection, along with seasonal and on-demand collections for loose leaves, Christmas trees, bulk waste pickup and large brush collection.
Paper Bag Mandate
Beginning in March 2022, the Town of Wake Forest will no longer collect any plastic bags for disposal of yard waste, including compostable plastic yard waste bags. Starting Monday, March 14, residents must use paper yard waste bags or reusable containers weighing no more than 50 pounds for their yard waste.
Holiday Schedule
The Town of Wake Forest officially observes a number of holidays each year. On these occasions, town hall is closed and sanitation service schedules are often altered. Please refer to the Holiday Schedule for updated operating schedules.
Mon-Fri, 7 am-3:30 pm
919-435-9570
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