Illustrative photo. Photo by Robert So on Pexels.

Gilbert residents can put their trash carts out on their usual collection day during Thanksgiving week, including households whose regular pickup falls on Thursday, November 26.

The town keeps weekly trash and recycling on their normal routes through holidays.

The change that week affects bulk trash, which takes a break for Thanksgiving.

The distinction matters if you’re cleaning out a garage before relatives arrive or dealing with a bigger pile of household waste after guests leave.

Normal cart service continues, while items headed for bulk collection have to wait for the next scheduled collection week for your address.

Start by checking the town’s schedule for your zone before carrying a large item to the curb.

When to set out your carts

Gilbert’s regular schedule runs Monday through Friday.

Zone A has Monday collection, Zone B has Tuesday, Zone C has Wednesday, Zone D has Thursday and Zone E has Friday.

If you’re new to town or moved recently, use the pickup-zone map to check your address, since the schedule follows the zone where you live.

Get your carts out by 5 a.m. on collection day.

Gilbert allows regular carts to go out as early as 6 p.m. the evening before, which can help if you have an early start or a house full of guests.

The town asks residents to put the recycling cart out when it is full.

After collection, bring the carts back by 6 a.m. the next day.

If you have a Thursday route and plan to cook or travel that morning, set a reminder for Wednesday evening.

The same approach works for a Friday route if Thanksgiving dinner and cleanup have pushed the usual routine back.

The pickup day stays the same even if your household’s plans change.

How to plan for bulk trash

Gilbert generally collects bulk trash on a five-week rotation, with a pause during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.

Use the 2026 bulk collection calendar to find the next date for your zone.

When it’s your scheduled week, put eligible items out no earlier than the preceding Saturday and by 5 a.m. Monday.

That Monday deadline applies to the bulk collection week, even if your regular carts go out on another day.

Check the town’s rules on acceptable items before starting a pile.

For a missed weekly pickup, report it through Gilbert 311 or call town customer service at 480-503-6400.

If you put a cart out late, the town lists a $50 fee for a return trip, so it pays to use the evening set-out window when you’re unsure about your morning schedule.

Keep track of whether a missed collection involved the regular cart or bulk trash, since the town handles those through different reporting options.

The simplest way to prepare for Thanksgiving is to check two things before the week starts.

Confirm the day for your weekly carts, then look up the next bulk collection date if you’re getting rid of something too large for a cart.

Both schedules are on the same town page, which also has the map to help you find your zone.

If you’re helping a neighbor or family member who lives in a different part of Gilbert, look up their address separately.