Junk removal in Norfolk, VA.

Norfolk, Virginia provides free curbside bulk waste pickup with a generous annual allowance: up to 12 bulk waste pickups per year, max 3 cubic yards per collection, by request through the MyNorfolk app, online portal, or Norfolk Cares phone line. Requests must be made by 3 PM the day prior to your trash collection day. Recycling is bi-weekly on the same day as trash. Up to 20 clear bags or bundles of yard waste are accepted per collection. Multi-family properties of 4 units or fewer are eligible for city service. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Norfolk residents.

Free options at a glance

Norfolk residents have several free disposal pathways. The bulk waste request system is the primary path for furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Each option below has eligibility rules and accepted item lists.

Bulk waste request system

Norfolk’s bulk waste system is request-based but generous: up to 12 free bulk waste pickups per household per year, with each collection capped at 3 cubic yards. Items are collected on your normal trash collection day, but only when scheduled in advance.

How to make a request:

· MyNorfolk Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android. The recommended channel.

· MyNorfolk online portal: mynorfolk.org

· Email: healthyneighborhoods@norfolk.gov

· Phone: Norfolk Cares Center at (757) 664-6510, weekdays 8 AM–4 PM

Deadline: Requests must be submitted by 3:00 PM the day before your scheduled trash collection day. Last-minute additions are common pain points; treat the deadline as firm.

Set-out timing: Items at curb between 5:00 PM the day before and 7:00 AM on collection day. Don’t set out earlier; this creates Notice of Violation risk and attracts illegal dumping.

Placement: Items must not be blocked by vehicles, trees, poles, mailboxes, fences, or low-hanging overhead wires. Place items 6 feet from carts and other obstructions for collection access.

Limits:

· 12 bulk waste pickups per household per year.

· Maximum 3 cubic yards per collection.

· Special bulk collections (over 3 cubic yards or beyond the 12-pickup limit) can be scheduled for a fee through the same channels.

Appliances: Appliances accepted in bulk request. Must be free of trash and debris. Doors should be removed or secured per safety rules.

Unscheduled bulk = violation: Setting out bulk waste without a scheduled request may result in a Notice of Violation. The request system isn’t optional.

Pickup not made: If your scheduled bulk wasn’t collected, items will be picked up the following week. If possible, remove items from the curb that weren’t collected.

Trash and recycling collection

Norfolk provides weekly trash collection and bi-weekly recycling. Both share the same collection day; recycling alternates every other week.

Set-out window: Containers at curb between 5:00 PM the day before collection and removed from curb by 11:30 PM on collection day.

Cart placement: Bar facing the street, wheels facing the residence, handle toward home/building or away from street. Containers must be 6 feet from vehicles, poles, and other obstructions.

Trash rules: All household waste inside the container must be bagged with cart lids closed. Overflow garbage must be scheduled for collection (treated like bulk waste) and placed outside the container only on scheduled day.

Recycling acceptance: Single-stream, no sorting. Plastic bottles and containers, mixed paper, flattened cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles. View the 2026 Curbside Recycling Calendar (PDF) for accepted items.

Holiday schedule: Norfolk observes specific holidays with collection delays. Most weekday holidays push collection one day later. Check norfolk.gov/Holiday-Collection or call Norfolk Cares for current adjustments. Bulk waste pickups for holiday-affected days have specific request deadlines published with the holiday schedule.

Yard waste collection

Norfolk picks up yard waste on the same day as regular trash. The allowance is generous: up to 20 clear bags or 20 bundles per collection.

Bag rules: Yard waste must be in clear plastic bags only, no opaque bags. Each bag max 45 pounds.

Bundle rules: Or properly cut, tied, and bundled. Max 4 feet in length, 3 cubic feet per bundle.

What’s accepted: Grass clippings, leaves, small branches, garden debris, shrubbery trimmings.

NOT accepted: Yard waste contaminated with regular trash, soil, rocks, construction debris. Lawn services and contractors are responsible for hauling their own yard waste.

HHW and electronics

Use the city’s Waste Wizard tool at norfolk.gov/recycling to determine if a specific item is trash, recyclable, or requires special disposal.

HHW (paint, chemicals, batteries, motor oil): Norfolk holds periodic HHW collection events. Check norfolk.gov for current event dates. Auto parts stores accept motor oil and lead-acid batteries year-round.

Electronics (e-waste): Virginia has e-waste recycling law (computer manufacturer take-back). Best Buy accepts most electronics free at customer service. Some Hampton Roads electronics stores offer take-back programs.

Tires: Not accepted in any Norfolk curbside or bulk program. Tire shops accept old tires when buying new (some charge a small fee).

Donation pickup, what gets accepted

Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.

Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.

Paid options

For items beyond the 12-pickup or 3-cubic-yard limits, items not eligible for city programs, or households needing same-week service, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Norfolk

Report illegal dumping to Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510 or via the MyNorfolk app or online portal at mynorfolk.org.

For Virginia state environmental violations, contact the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Active dumping in progress: call Norfolk Police non-emergency.

Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for state penalty information and reporting best practices.

Common questions