The holiday season brings a joyful mix of family gatherings, festive meals, and gift-wrapped surprises. And you know what that means, more garbage leaving your home. Often, one of the most overlooked holiday headaches is getting your trash collected on time. With pickup days shifting around holidays, you could be left with a full bin, overflowing bags or worse, a missed collection.

If you’ve ever wondered “When is my trash pickup during the holiday week?”, you’re in good company. This blog will walk you through how trash pickup works around major holidays, show what we at Mountain Disposal do to keep things running smoothly in rural communities in the Southern Colorado communities we serve, and give you practical tips to stay ahead of the curve.

Why Trash Pickup Schedules Shift During Holidays

At Mountain Disposal, we pick up as scheduled on all holidays except for Christmas. That’s because we choose to give our employees that day to spend with their loved ones. For you as a homeowner, that means your usual “trash day” shifts by one day. 

If your pickup falls on Christmas Day, it will move to the next business day. When you live in a community where pickup already spans wide territories and long travel times, every little adjustment matters.

We understand this and proactively post updated schedules, so you’re not left guessing. When rural roads, weather, and holiday routing all happen at the same time, effective communication is key.

How Mountain Disposal Handles Holiday Trash Pickup

As a locally-owned company serving Colorado towns such as Rye, Colorado City, San Isabel, Wetmore, Beulah, Walsenburg, Cuchara, La Veta and nearby HOAs, we are well positioned to handle holiday flux thanks to our years of experience and large fleet of trucks.

Here’s how we keep your trash pickup on track during the holidays:

• We publish holiday schedule changes in advance via their website and communications.
• We offer a large 95-gallon curbside tote, built to handle extra volume during the holiday season.
• We deliver service reliability even in remote rural routes, maintaining a high on-time rate (in normal operations), which gives you peace of mind during the busiest times of year.

It’s not just about showing up. It’s about being prepared when volume and expectations increase.

Holiday Trash-Management Tips for Homeowners

When your trash pickup day may shift due to a holiday, it helps to take a few proactive steps. Here are four simple but effective tips:

• Plan ahead: If you know pickup will be delayed, hold off setting your bin out until the new day, or keep excess trash secured away from animals or weather.
• Maximize your curbside tote: The 95-gallon totes that we provide are large enough for holiday loads. Just make sure to flatten boxes, compress waste, bag and tie all garbage, and keep the lid closed.
• Avoid overflow: Overflowing bins or unbagged items can attract wildlife or make a mess due to windy, snowy weather. Please make sure all items are within a tied bag and do not over-stuff your tote. We do allow ONE bag or equivalent of a 33-gallon size bag placed alongside your curbside tote.
• Stay informed: Periodically check our website or contact our office for route-specific holiday updates, especially if you’re in a rural or HOA community.

These small habits can make the difference between a smooth pickup week and a frustrating one.

And please keep in mind, we can always pick up extra items or larger items. You just need to let us know in advance so we can let the drivers know that it is okay to pick it all up. The driver then turns in what the extra charges will be to our office, and we will bill you accordingly.

Some Ideas to Help Cut Down on Holiday Trash

When you’re looking for ways to cut down on holiday trash, it may be easier than you think! 
When planning your food and entertainment, plan meals carefully to reduce food waste. Compost scraps instead of tossing them. Use real dishes instead of disposable plates and utensils. 

Another way to reduce household trash is to use greener tactics. Save and reuse wrapping materials such as ribbons, boxes, tissue paper and bags. Upcycle the holiday cards that arrive in your mailbox by cutting them into gift tags or decorations for next year.

How to Check Your Holiday Trash Pickup Schedule

Want to verify your pickup during the Christmas holiday week? Here’s what to do:

1. Watch for an email, flyer, or website notifications ahead of major holidays.
2. If you’re in a specific HOA or remote route, call our office for your community’s exact timing.

Staying connected ensures you’re ready when the truck arrives and not scrambling after the fact.

Holidays Are Meant for Celebration, Relaxation and Time with Loved Ones

You don’t need to worry about when your trash will be collected. By understanding how pickup schedules shift and taking simple actions ahead of time, you can keep your home and curbside clean and stress-free.

We take the guesswork out of holiday trash pickup. With large containers, dependable rural routes, and clear communication, we make sure your trash collection keeps pace with the season.

Ready to make sure your trash gets picked up on time this holiday season? Keep an eye on our social media for posts about holiday pick up. Or call our office at 719-489-3456.

FAQS 

Q1:  What happens to my trash pickup if the holiday falls on my normal trash day?
A:  If your pickup day falls on Christmas Day, your pickup will be moved to the next business day. For Thanksgiving and New Year’s, pick up days remain the same, as our crews will pick up as scheduled on those holidays.

Q2:  What size trash container will I have?
A:  Mountain Disposal provides 95-gallon curbside tote standard curbside service, which handles increased holiday waste.

Q3:  Can I get additional trash capacity for the holidays?
A:  Yes—if you consistently need more space, contact Mountain Disposal to request an extra container or service upgrade.

Q4:  My bin was missed during the Christmas holiday week—what should I do?
A:  Contact the Mountain Disposal office, and they will schedule a pickup as soon as possible.

Q5:  What if weather or snow delays the pickup?
A:  Mountain Disposal monitors weather and communicates delays. Keep your bin accessible and watch for route updates.

Q6:  Are there any fees for holiday pickups?
A:  If a special pickup is needed due to overflow or skipped service, let us know to determine any additional cost.

Q7:  How can I prepare my household for a delayed pickup?
A:  Keep the lid closed, secure bags, consider a second bin if needed, and move the container curbside the adjusted day as posted.