HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Harrisonburg Public Works is launching a new online scheduling system in 2026 for bulk and yard debris collection.

Bulk and yard debris are currently collected every other week on varying schedules across the city – a process that officials say sometimes causes confusion, inefficiencies and missed collections. The new online scheduling system will replace the biweekly schedule and is designed to improve efficiency, reduce missed collections and give community members more flexibility. Households will be able to go online or call ahead of time to request bulk and yard debris pickup on the same day as their regular trash service, providing greater convenience and consistency.

This is the same online system, called ReCollect, that community members have been using to schedule cardboard collection. Cardboard collection will continue to take place on Fridays.

“Our goal is to make bulk and yard debris collection more reliable, efficient and user-friendly for everyone in the community,” Public Works Support Services Manager Harsit Patel said. “Moving bulk and yard debris to the online scheduling system allows us to better serve you while making operations more sustainable. Of course, for those community members more comfortable scheduling service like this over the phone, you are still more than welcome to give us a call.”

The updated sanitation service map for the City of Harrisonburg for January 2026. Photo source: Harrisonburg Public Works.

In addition to the improvements to bulk and yard debris service, some community members will see a shift in their regular collection date. The updated service map will be posted to the City’s social media pages and website to help households confirm their new collection day.

Public Works will host a series of open houses between Sept. 23 and Oct. 14 to help anyone with questions about the new scheduling system or collection date. The open houses will be held at four different locations around the city, all from 5 to 7 p.m., so community members can choose the location most convenient for them. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice using the online system, ask questions and speak directly with staff about the upcoming changes.

Meeting date and locations are:

  • Sept. 23 – Skyline Middle School, 470 Linda Lane
  • Sept. 30 – Keister Elementary School, 100 Maryland Ave.
  • Oct. 7 – Price Rotary Senior Center, 309 S. Dogwood Drive
  • Oct. 14 – Stone Spring Elementary School, 1575 Peach Grove Ave.

Written or oral questions and comments may be submitted to Public Works Outreach and Communications Specialist Maya Waid by emailing maya.waid@harrisonburgva.gov or calling 540-434-5928.