Garbage Collection

Thanksgiving Holiday Garbage Schedule

The City of Charleston will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  To provide service to all residents in a timely manner, garbage and trash collection will take place on the modified schedule outlined below.

For Daniel Island and Cainhoy (Capital Waste) there will be no changes to the schedule.   

For outer West Ashley and Johns Island (Trident Waste) Thursday’s route will be collected Friday and Friday’s route on Saturday.  

The Peninsula, Inner West Ashley and James Island (City Crews) Thursday’s route will be collected on Friday. 

Christmas Tree Collection

Christmas tree collection will start January 8th and the final collection will take place the week February 10th. Trees must be placed curbside so that our equipment can reach them. Trees must be free of all decorations and tensile. No artificial trees should be placed out for collection with real trees. 

Christmas Holiday Garbage and Trash Schedule

The City of Charleston will be closed on Friday, December 22nd and Monday, December 25th in observance of the Christmas Holiday.   To provide service to all residents in a timely manner, garbage and trash collection will take place on the modified schedule outlined below. 

City Crews

The week of Friday, December 22nd will run a normal schedule. 

The week of Monday, December 25th will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday; and Thursday routes will be collected on Friday.   

Capital Waste (Daniel Island, Cainhoy)

The week of Friday, December 22nd will run a normal schedule. 

The week of Monday, December 25th will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday.

Trident Waste (Johns Island, outer West Ashley)

The week of Friday, December 22nd will run a normal schedule. 

The week of Monday, December 25th will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday; and Thursday routes will be collected on Friday; Friday routes will be collected on Saturday.   

New Year's Holiday Garbage and Trash Schedule

The City of Charleston will be closed on Monday, January 1st in observance of the New Year’s Holiday.  To provide service to all residents in a timely manner, garbage and trash collection will take place on the modified schedule outlined below. 

City Crews

The week of Monday, January 1st will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday; and Thursday routes will be collected on Friday.   

Capital Waste (Daniel Island, Cainhoy)

The week of Monday, January 1st will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday.

Trident Waste (Johns Island, outer West Ashley)

The week of Monday, January 1st will run on a one-day delay. Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday; and Thursday routes will be collected on Friday; Friday routes will be collected on Saturday.

Interactive Map of Garbage Collection Areas

Garbage collection (items inside of green carts) will continue on schedule. Citizens are reminded that cardboard and other items that are not inside the green garbage cart will not be collected for the safety of the crews. This change is consistent with Charleston County and other area municipalities in an effort to limit employees’ potential exposure to COVID-19. Any excess items that do not fit in the garbage cart can be taken to a Charleston County Convenience Center: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/environmental-management/recycle-locations.php.

COVID 19 Guidelines for Residents.  

Please see the City of Charleston’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Website for the latest updates.

About the Service

Garbage Collection serves both residential and commercial customers:

  • Residential garbage is collected once weekly, from standardized containers using semi-automated collection equipment.
  • Commercial garbage is collected six days a week.
    • Restaurant garbage collection is a specialized route and is collected seven days a week.

Garbage Collection Policies

Garbage containers should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before scheduled pick-up and removed as soon as possible after pickup, but no later than 6 p.m. on the scheduled pickup days.

Curb Obstructions

Place containers within 2 feet of the curb with handle facing away from curb and at least 3 feet from any obstructions such as:

  • Mailboxes
  • Recycling containers
  • Trees
  • Vehicles
  • Etc.

Garbage Container Guidelines

To properly fill your garbage container, please follow these guidelines:

  • Drain and wrap or bag wet garbage.
  • Nothing should stick out of the top or hang over the sides of the container.
  • The lid of your container should close.
  • Don’t place objects on top of closed lids or in front of containers.

Acquiring a Standardized Residential Container

If you are a new resident to the City of Charleston, you will be issued a garbage container for your household garbage upon request. Please submit an online request or call 843-724-7311 to request a container.

Residential containers are available in three sizes to suit the needs of the customer. Most customers use a 96-gallon container. A record of each assigned container is maintained to control and ensure against container loss.