Are you a Wilmington resident whose trash wasn’t collected from the curb, and it's left you in a funky mood?
Besides the scent of spoiled milk or forgotten leftovers, what you probably smell most is the lingering stench of confusion. And it’s humming, in Delaware’s largest city where the population is 71,675, according to the 2023 Census.
Here are answers to some questions Wilmington residents may have about the city’s trash and recycling services, according to the city website.
When is trash day and recycling day in Wilmington?
Trash is collected on different days depending on what side of I-95 you live on. Trash is collected on Monday for residents East of I-95, and Tuesday for residents West of I-95.
Recycling is collected Thursday for residents East of I-95 and Friday for residents West of I-95.
Trash cans must be placed curbside between 6 p.m. the day before collection and 4 a.m. on the day of collection.
Residents must remove trash cans from the curb no later than 6 p.m. after collection.
What's recyclable in Wilmington?
Residents are instructed to place the following items loose, empty and clean into your recycle cart:
Magazines
Junk mail
Office paper
Paper bags
Newspaper, etc.
Plastic containers
Jars
Cans
Bottles
Cardboard
Cartons
What’s not recyclable in Wilmington?
Don't put the following items in your recycling can:
Trash
Styrofoam
Shredded paper
Food
Garbage
Plastic bags
Electronics
Computers
Batteries
Broken window glass
Mirrors
Scrap metal
How should you prepare for trash day in Wilmington?
To keep things simple, put into the trash only items that will spoil or that can't be recycled. Tie up the trash bags and put the bags in SMART Trash Bins. Put the bins by the curb between 6 p.m. the day before trash collection and 4 a.m. on the day of collection, which is Monday (for residents East of I-95) and Tuesday (residents West of I-95). Remove trash cans from the curb no later than 6 p.m. on collection day.
Friends or nuisance?: Is it illegal to feed stray cats in Delaware?
When is yard waste pickup in Wilmington?
Yard waste is collected on recycling days, as staffing permits. (Recycling is collected Thursday for residents East of I-95 and Friday for residents West of I-95.) Yard waste must be placed in brown paper bags and it shouldn't be combined with trash.
Is there a weight limit for heavy items on trash day in Wilmington?
A special pick-up is required for items that weigh over 50 pounds or items unable to fit in trash cans. Some examples include mattresses, furniture, appliances (refrigerator doors must be removed), clothes and rugs.
To schedule a special pick-up, call Wilmington 311 (if you're in city limits) or (302) 576-2620 from outside city limits. Operators are on duty from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Will trash get collected in Wilmington during bad weather?
Between Nov. 15 to March 15, sanitation workers don't make collections in bad weather. If bad weather causes your collection to get cancelled, it'll be received the next day, if weather permits.
What happens to Wilmington trash collection on 2025 holidays?
Holiday schedules are posted on the city website here. In general, if a holiday falls on a trash collection date, the schedule is modified by one day. For example, Labor Day week collections will be scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 2 (East) and Wednesday, Sept. 3 (West).
Trash collection schedules are adjusted for the following major holidays. Election Day and Good Friday do not affect schedules, according to the city.
Sept. 1 – Labor Day
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving
Nov. 28 – Day After Thanksgiving
Dec. 25 – Christmas
What if my trash didn't get picked up in Wilmington?
Please feel free to call Wilmington 311. If you're outside of city limits, call (302) 576-2620. Operators are on duty from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more info, visit wilmingtonde.gov.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why wasn't your Delaware trash picked up in Wilmington? What to know
Comments