If your regular trash collection day falls on Veterans Day, you may be wondering whether your garbage will still be picked up. Trash pickup on Veterans Day 2026 depends on your city or waste collection provider. Some cities will follow their normal collection schedule on Wednesday, November 11, while others will suspend service and move collection to another day.
Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Although it is a federal holiday, local sanitation departments and private waste companies make their own decisions about holiday collection.
Before putting your trash cans out, check your local sanitation department’s holiday schedule to confirm whether pickup is operating normally or delayed.
Is There Trash Pickup on Veterans Day 2026?
There is no single nationwide trash collection schedule for Veterans Day. Some cities will collect garbage and recycling as usual, while others will pause service for the holiday.
For example, official 2026 city schedules show different arrangements:
- New York City: No trash, composting, or recycling collection on Wednesday, November 11. Residents with Wednesday service can put materials out Wednesday evening for collection beginning Thursday, November 12.
- Phoenix, Arizona: Regular curbside trash and recycling collection will continue on November 11.
- Fort Worth, Texas: The city’s 2026 holiday schedule lists no change to regularly scheduled collection on Veterans Day.
- Franklin, Tennessee: Wednesday collection will move to Thursday, November 12, and Thursday routes will move to Friday, November 13.
These examples show why you should not assume that your regular pickup will automatically be canceled or delayed.
Will Garbage Collection Be Delayed on November 11, 2026?
Garbage collection may be delayed in cities that suspend sanitation services for Veterans Day. The exact arrangement depends on the local holiday schedule.
If your city does not collect trash on Wednesday, November 11, it may:
- Move Wednesday’s collection to Thursday.
- Delay Wednesday and later routes by one day.
- Provide a separate makeup collection date.
- Resume the normal schedule on the next scheduled collection day.
Some cities do not change their garbage collection services at all.
For example, New York City has announced that Wednesday collections will begin again on Thursday, November 12. Franklin, Tennessee, has also published a one-day adjustment for its Wednesday and Thursday routes.
Always check the complete weekly schedule. A holiday delay can affect more than just the collection day that falls on November 11.
Do Recycling and Yard Waste Pickup Run on Veterans Day?
Recycling and yard waste collection may follow different rules from regular household garbage.
Some sanitation departments suspend all collection services for Veterans Day, including:
- Household garbage
- Recycling
- Composting
- Yard waste
- Bulk waste
Other cities may continue certain services while changing others.
New York City’s Veterans Day announcement specifically suspends trash, composting, and recycling collection on November 11. Phoenix, on the other hand, plans to continue its regular curbside trash and recycling schedule.
If your area provides separate recycling or yard waste collection, check whether those services follow the same holiday schedule as regular garbage pickup.
Are Trash Collection Companies Open on Veterans Day?
Private waste collection companies may operate on Veterans Day even when local government offices are closed.
Companies such as Waste Management, Republic Services, and other local haulers can establish their own holiday schedules. Service may also depend on the contract between the company and your city, homeowners association, or property manager.
If your trash is collected by a private company, check its holiday service announcement or customer account portal. Do not assume that a federal holiday automatically means your collection company will stop working.
You should also check whether customer service offices, recycling centers, transfer stations, and drop-off facilities have separate holiday hours.
How to Check Your Local Trash Pickup Schedule
The easiest way to confirm your Veterans Day garbage collection schedule is to check your city or waste provider directly.
Follow these steps:
- Visit your city government’s official website.
- Look for the Public Works, Sanitation, or Solid Waste Management department.
- Search for the 2026 holiday collection schedule.
- Find Wednesday, November 11, and check the instructions for your regular collection day.
- If the schedule is unclear, contact the sanitation department or your private waste hauler.
You can also search Google using your city name and a phrase such as “Veterans Day 2026 trash pickup schedule.”
For example, search for “Houston Veterans Day 2026 garbage collection” or “Phoenix Veterans Day trash pickup schedule.”
Use official city or waste company announcements whenever possible because third-party holiday schedules may not reflect the latest local changes.
Will Trash Pickup Return to Normal After Veterans Day?
In most areas, regular trash collection resumes according to the local schedule after the holiday. However, some cities may need additional time to collect waste following a service suspension.
If your collection is delayed, check the city’s instructions for the next pickup date. Avoid placing garbage outside earlier than permitted, especially if your local sanitation department has specific rules about curbside set-out times.
If you live in an area with a private waste collection provider, check its service notifications for any changes.
Is Veterans Day a Federal Holiday?
Yes. Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed every year on November 11. In 2026, it falls on Wednesday.
Federal offices generally close in observance of the holiday, but federal holiday status does not require every local government department or private company to stop operating.
That is why some cities continue garbage collection while others suspend it.
You can read our guide to what is open and closed on Veterans Day 2026 for information about banks, post offices, stores, schools, and other services.
To learn more about the holiday’s purpose and history, visit our guide explaining what Veterans Day is and why it is observed.
You can also explore more holiday updates and guides on the Memorial Day USA homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there trash pickup on Veterans Day 2026?
It depends on your city or waste collection provider. Some areas will maintain regular garbage collection on Wednesday, November 11, while others will suspend service or move pickup to another day.
Is Veterans Day a trash collection holiday?
Veterans Day is not a universal trash collection holiday. Each city and waste management provider decides whether to operate or change its collection schedule.
Does garbage pickup run on November 11, 2026?
Some cities will collect garbage as usual on November 11, 2026. Others, including New York City, have announced changes to their regular collection schedules.
Is recycling collected on Veterans Day?
Recycling collection depends on local rules. Some cities suspend both garbage and recycling services, while others continue their regular schedules.
Will my trash be picked up a day late after Veterans Day?
Possibly. If your city suspends collection on November 11, it may move your pickup to Thursday, November 12, or use another makeup schedule. Check your local sanitation department’s announcement.
Are Waste Management and Republic Services open on Veterans Day?
Their collection schedules may vary by location and service contract. Check the official holiday announcement or contact your local provider to confirm whether your scheduled pickup will take place.
Conclusion
Trash pickup on Veterans Day 2026 will vary across the United States. Some cities, including Phoenix and Fort Worth, plan to maintain regular collection, while New York City and Franklin, Tennessee, have announced changes to their Wednesday schedules.
Since Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, check your local sanitation department or waste collection provider before putting your garbage out. A quick schedule check can help you avoid a missed pickup or unnecessary delay.