Trash & Recycling in Winston-Salem, NC: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Winston-Salem or are thinking about moving there, trash & recycling are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Winston-Salem has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of trash & recycling, and some of them might surprise you.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Winston-Salem Sanitation Department provides weekly curbside garbage pickup and every-other-week recycling to residential customers. Containers must be at curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled collection day and removed within 24 hours after pickup.

Key details: Garbage: Weekly in 96-gal green cart. Recycling: Every other week blue cart. Set-Out: By 6 AM collection day. Removal: Within 24 hours. Code: Chapter 46 Solid Waste.

Leaving carts at the curb longer than 24 hours past pickup is a City Code Chapter 46 violation subject to a $50 civil penalty, escalating for repeat offenses. Non-approved containers may be refused service.

Bin Placement Rules

Roll carts in Winston-Salem must be placed at the curb with 3 feet of clearance from obstacles, wheels facing the house, and at least 2 feet from the street edge. Carts may not block sidewalks or fire hydrants.

Key details: Clearance: 3 ft from obstacles. Distance from Curb: Within 2 feet. Orientation: Wheels toward house. Sidewalk: Cannot block. Storage: Out of street view between pickups.

Improperly placed carts result in skipped service and a courtesy notice. Repeated violations (carts left at curb, blocking sidewalks) can trigger $50 civil penalties under Chapter 46.

Bulk Item Disposal

Winston-Salem offers weekly curbside bulky item pickup for residential customers. Items such as furniture, mattresses, and appliances must be called in by 3:00 PM the business day before collection. Up to 4 cubic yards per week is included in sanitation fees.

Key details: Request By: 3 PM day before. Weekly Limit: About 4 cubic yards. Not Collected: Tires, paint, electronics. White Goods: Refrigerant certified. Drop-Off: 3RC Old Salisbury Rd.

Placing bulk items without a scheduled request or exceeding the weekly limit can result in left-behind items and a $100 cleanup fee added to the utility bill. Illegal dumping charges may apply for repeat offenders.

Recycling Requirements

Winston-Salem operates a voluntary single-stream recycling program. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastics #1 and #2, and glass bottles. Plastic bags, styrofoam, and food-soiled items are prohibited in the blue cart.

Key details: Type: Single-stream. Frequency: Every other week. Accepted Plastics: Only #1 and #2. Prohibited: Bags, styrofoam, food waste. Apartment Drop-Off: 3RC Old Salisbury Rd.

Contaminated carts may be tagged and not collected. Persistent contamination can result in removal of recycling privileges and reversion to garbage-only service.

The rules around recycling requirements in Winston-Salem lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Winston-Salem's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Winston-Salem is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Winston-Salem can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.