Apex NC Trash Pickup Schedule 2026 | Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste Guide
Last checked: July 8, 2026 — Official Town of Apex and GFL Environmental sources verified.
Short Answer — What Day Is Trash Pickup in Apex NC?
Trash and recycling pickup in Apex, NC depends on where you live. The town divides collection into five color-coded zones:
| Zone Color | Pickup Day |
|---|---|
| Blue | Monday |
| Green | Tuesday |
| Red | Wednesday |
| Purple | Thursday |
| Yellow | Friday |
Garbage and recycling are both collected weekly on the same day by GFL Environmental (formerly Waste Industries). Yard waste is collected on the next business day after your trash day by the Town of Apex Public Works Department.
To find your exact day, use the Apex collection map, the GFL address lookup, or the free Apex Collects mobile app.
Who Collects Trash in Apex?
The Town of Apex uses a two-service model to handle household waste.
GFL Environmental handles garbage and recycling collection for all single-family homes within town limits. GFL took over the contract from Waste Industries, so you may still see older carts or documents referencing the previous name. GFL runs the color-coded zone system Monday through Friday and provides weekly pickup for both trash and recycling on the same day.
The Town of Apex Public Works Department handles yard waste collection separately. Public Works crews pick up leaves, grass clippings, brush, and branches on the next business day after your regular garbage and recycling day. This separation is important to understand — if you have a yard waste question, you call Public Works, not GFL.
This two-provider system means your trash and recycling go to one truck (GFL) and your yard waste goes to a different truck (Public Works). They run on different schedules but are coordinated so yard waste falls the day after your trash day.
How to Find Your Collection Day (Color-Coded Zones)
Apex uses a straightforward color-zone system. Your pickup day depends on which zone your street falls in:
- Monday — Blue zone
- Tuesday — Green zone
- Wednesday — Red zone
- Thursday — Purple zone
- Friday — Yellow zone
There are three ways to look up your exact pickup day.
1. Apex Collection Map
The Town of Apex provides an interactive collection map at arcg.is/1GSznG0. Enter your address or zoom into your street to see your color zone and pickup day. This is the most direct way to find your schedule.
2. GFL Address Lookup
GFL Environmental offers an address-based pickup lookup tool at:
https://ezwaste.gflenv.com/PickupDays.aspx?id=000626579
Enter your street name and the tool returns your collection day and zone color.
3. Apex Collects Mobile App
The free Apex Collects app (see the app section below) shows your personalized schedule based on your address. It also sends reminders the night before pickup so you never have to remember which color zone you are in.
Tip for new residents: If you just moved to Apex, check the collection map and app on day one. The zone system is consistent, but your specific day depends on your exact street address.
Garbage & Recycling Collection Details
What Goes in Each Cart
GFL provides carts for garbage and recycling. The rules are straightforward:
Garbage cart: Household trash, food waste, non-recyclable packaging, and general refuse. Bag your garbage before placing it in the cart. The lid must close fully — overfilled carts with propped-open lids may not be collected.
Recycling cart: Clean paper, cardboard (flattened), plastic bottles and jugs, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, and steel cans. Apex uses single-stream recycling, meaning all recyclables go in the same cart. The Waste Wizard tool on the town's website can help you sort specific items.
Items that do not go in recycling:
- Plastic bags and film wrap (these tangle sorting equipment)
- Styrofoam
- Food-soiled containers (greasy pizza boxes go in trash)
- Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, batteries)
- Electronics
- Textiles and clothing
Cart Placement Rules
Getting your carts to the curb correctly ensures reliable pickup:
- Time: Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day.
- Spacing: Place carts 3 feet apart from each other and from obstacles like mailboxes, parked cars, trash cans, and basketball hoops. This gives the automated GFL truck arms room to grab and empty each cart.
- Orientation: Point the cart handles toward the house and set the wheels against the curb. This positions the cart correctly for the truck's mechanical arm.
- Lid closed: Make sure the lid is fully shut. An open or propped lid can mean the cart is skipped.
Return carts to their storage location by the end of pickup day.
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste is collected by the Town of Apex Public Works Department, not by GFL. The pickup runs on a different schedule.
Current schedule (through October 18, 2026): Yard waste is collected weekly on the next business day after your trash and recycling day. So if your trash day is Monday, yard waste is collected Tuesday. If your trash day is Friday, yard waste is collected the following Monday (since Saturday and Sunday are not business days).
Important change starting October 19, 2026: Yard waste collection will shift to biweekly (every two weeks). The town announced this change to adjust collection routes and resource allocation. Use the address lookup tool or Apex Collects app to see which week your street falls on after the change.
What Is Accepted
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Brush and small branches
- Tree limbs (see preparation rules below)
How to Prepare Yard Waste
Yard waste must be placed at the curb in the following forms:
- Brown paper bags — Fill with leaves, grass, or small clippings. Do not use plastic bags for yard waste; they will not be collected.
- Open containers — Use a trash can labeled "yard waste" (or write "yard waste" on it with a marker). The town provides specific guidelines on acceptable containers.
- Bundled brush — Branches and limbs must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing no more than 50 pounds per bundle.
- Christmas trees — Collected in January on your regular yard waste day. Remove all ornaments, tinsel, and stands.
Do not place yard waste at the curb more than 48 hours before your scheduled collection day.
Note on grass collection: As of April 2026, the Apex Town Council has discussed potentially phasing out grass collection in future years. No decision has been made as of this writing. If you want to stay ahead of this possible change, consider starting a backyard compost pile for grass clippings now.
Bulk Item Pickup
Need to get rid of a large item like a sofa, mattress, refrigerator, or old furniture? The Town of Apex Public Works offers bulk item collection for a fee.
How to schedule:
- Submit an online service request through the Town of Apex website.
- Call Ask Apex at (919) 249-3311 during business hours (Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Eligibility:
- Available for single-family residential homes within Apex town limits.
- Not available for businesses, apartment complexes, or commercial properties.
Pricing: The exact fee schedule is not listed on the official town page. Call Ask Apex for a current quote on the items you need collected.
Bulk items should be placed at the curb on your scheduled collection day. Do not put bulk items out without a confirmed appointment — they will not be picked up and may result in code enforcement issues.
Holiday Schedule & Delays
When a major holiday falls on your pickup day, service is delayed by one day for the rest of that week. Monday customers get picked up Tuesday, Tuesday moves to Wednesday, and so on through the week. Friday customers get picked up Saturday.
The following holidays cause delays in Apex:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- July 4th (Independence Day)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Example: If your pickup is Monday and July 4th falls on a Monday, your trash will be collected on Tuesday that week. The same one-day slide applies to every zone for the rest of that week.
For the most up-to-date holiday schedule, check the Apex Collects app or call Customer Service at (919) 362-8676. The holiday pattern is consistent year to year, but always confirm around major holidays.
Missed Pickup & Service Issues
If your trash, recycling, or yard waste was not collected on your scheduled day, here is what to do:
- Check the basics first: Was your cart at the curb by 7:00 AM? Was it 3 feet from obstacles? Was the lid fully closed? Was there a holiday delay you missed?
- Report within 24 hours: Call Apex Customer Service at (919) 362-8676 or use the Online Service Request form.
- Give them the details: Your address, what was missed (trash, recycling, or yard waste), and the scheduled pickup day.
Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Missed pickups reported outside these hours will be handled the next business day.
For yard waste missed pickups, you can also contact Public Works directly at (919) 249-3427.
Are You Inside Apex Town Limits? (Important)
The Town of Apex trash, recycling, and yard waste program covers properties within Apex's incorporated town limits. If you live outside the official town boundary — even if you have an Apex, NC 27502 mailing address — you are not covered by the municipal program.
This is a common source of confusion. Apex's ZIP codes (27502, 27523, 27539) extend beyond the town's incorporated limits. Having an Apex address does not guarantee you are eligible for the color-coded GFL pickup schedule.
If you are unsure whether your address is within Apex town limits:
- Call Ask Apex at (919) 249-3311
- Check your property tax records for "Apex" as the municipality
- Ask your neighbors what service they use
Outside town limits? You have two options:
- Wake County Convenience Centers — Wake County operates drop-off locations where residents can dispose of trash, recycling, and some bulk items. Visit the Wake County trash and recycling page for locations and hours.
- Private haulers — Several private waste haulers serve the Apex area and can set up regular pickups. Get quotes from at least two providers, as pricing and included services vary.
Hazardous Waste, Electronics & Textiles
Certain items cannot go in your regular trash or recycling carts. Here is how to dispose of them properly.
Household Hazardous Waste
Paint, chemicals, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and other hazardous materials must be taken to the Wake County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility is operated by Wake County and accepts hazardous waste from county residents at no charge. Check the Wake County website for location, hours, and accepted materials.
Electronics Recycling
Apex hosts monthly electronics drop-off events where you can recycle computers, monitors, TVs, printers, and other electronic devices. Check the town's electronics recycling page for scheduled dates and accepted items. Do not place electronics in your regular trash or recycling carts.
Textile Recycling
The Town of Apex provides textile recycling bins at two locations:
- Apex Nature Park
- Apex Community Center
Drop off old clothing, shoes, linens, and other textiles in good condition. This keeps reusable materials out of the landfill and supports recycling programs.
Apex Collects Mobile App
The Town of Apex offers a free mobile app called Apex Collects that makes managing your waste and recycling schedule simple.
Download: Search "Apex Collects" in the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
What the App Does
- Shows your personalized pickup schedule based on your address
- Sends push notifications the night before pickup (no more forgetting to put carts out)
- Provides service alerts for holiday delays and schedule changes
- Displays the color-coded zone map
- Gives calendar view for the current year
For residents who want to set it and forget it, the Apex Collects app is the most convenient way to stay on top of your pickup schedule. It is free, has no ads, and is officially supported by the Town of Apex.
Official Contacts
| Department | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ask Apex (general inquiries) | (919) 249-3311 | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Customer Service (trash/recycling) | (919) 362-8676 | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Public Works (yard waste, bulk) | (919) 249-3427 | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Town Hall | 73 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502 | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
The online service request form at apexnc.org is available 24/7 for reporting issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Guessing your pickup day without checking the map. Apex uses five color zones. Your neighbor two streets over may have a different day. Always check the collection map or app.
2. Putting carts out too late. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 AM. Trucks run early, and a cart that goes out at 7:15 AM could be missed.
3. Placing carts too close together. The 3-foot spacing rule is real — the automated truck arm needs clearance. Carts placed side by side may not be collected.
4. Using the wrong cart orientation. Handles toward the house, wheels against the curb. If your cart faces the wrong way, the mechanical arm cannot grab it.
5. Missing the yard waste change date. Yard waste shifts from weekly to biweekly on October 19, 2026. If you do not check your new schedule, you may put yard waste out on the wrong week.
6. Assuming every holiday delays pickup. Only the six listed holidays cause delays. Other holidays (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Veterans Day, etc.) do not affect the schedule.
7. Disposing of hazardous waste in regular carts. Paint, chemicals, batteries, and electronics require special handling. Use the Wake County HHW facility or monthly electronics events.
8. Placing yard waste in plastic bags. Yard waste must be in brown paper bags, open containers labeled "yard waste," or bundled. Plastic bags will not be collected.