Roanoke County shifts trash collection schedule by one day due to potential dangerous road conditions

Roanoke, Virginia – Roanoke County residents are being asked to plan ahead this week as trash collection will run behind schedule due to concerns about hazardous road conditions and winter weather impacts.

County officials announced that Roanoke County trash collection will operate on a one-day delay for the week of Jan. 26, 2026, explaining that the shift is being made out of caution as crews prepare for the possibility of slick or unsafe roads. The county said staff will assess road conditions on Monday to determine whether additional delays will be needed, meaning the schedule could change again depending on what the weather brings.

For now, the county released a clear updated pickup plan so households know when to expect service.

Updated Trash Collection Schedule for Jan. 26 through Jan. 30

Under the adjusted schedule, collection will move forward by one day across the board:

• Monday routes collected Tuesday, January 27

• Tuesday routes collected Wednesday, January 28

• Wednesday routes collected Thursday, January 29

• Thursday routes collected Friday, January 30

County leaders stressed that residents can help keep roads safer and make it easier for crews to operate by waiting to set trash out until the correct time. Residents are being urged not to place containers or other trash at the road too early. Instead, the county asked people to wait until the night before the delayed collection day to bring items out.

Officials also asked residents to hold onto recycling for now, advising households to keep recyclables at home until roads are clear enough for safe travel. The county emphasized that this is not only about convenience, but about safety for everyone on the road, including sanitation workers and emergency responders.

The county said it appreciates the public’s cooperation, noting that keeping roadways clear helps snowplows and public safety vehicles move through neighborhoods without unnecessary obstacles.

To keep residents informed, Roanoke County said its inclement weather page will be regularly updated to identify roads that are considered too hazardous for trash collection. Supervisory staff will continue checking these areas until conditions improve enough for large collection trucks to safely navigate.

For questions or updates regarding road conditions, residents are being directed to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), since the agency monitors and responds to changing roadway conditions throughout the region.

With winter weather always unpredictable, county leaders are encouraging residents to stay alert, follow the delayed schedule, and keep safety as the top priority until roads return to normal.