Trash & Recycling in Charlotte, NC (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Charlotte, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Charlotte Solid Waste Services provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection. Trash is collected weekly in city-issued 95-gallon Poly-Carts. Residents must place carts at the curb by 6 AM on their scheduled collection day with handles facing the house. Bulk items and yard waste have separate collection schedules. The city services approximately 200,000+ households.
Charlotte Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Charlotte requires specific bin placement for collection. Poly-Carts must be placed at the curb or alley with handles facing the residence and at least 3 feet from other carts, vehicles, mailboxes, and obstructions. Carts should not block sidewalks, driveways, or fire hydrants. After collection, carts must be returned to storage out of public view by 7 PM.
Charlotte Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Charlotte provides scheduled bulk item collection for large items that do not fit in the standard Poly-Cart. Residents can schedule bulk pickups through Charlotte Solid Waste Services for items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses. Up to 6 bulk items are collected per scheduled pickup. Items must be placed at the curb by 6 AM on the scheduled date.
Charlotte Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Charlotte provides weekly single-stream curbside recycling in a city-issued recycling cart. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles. Items must be clean, dry, and loose (no bagged recyclables). Contamination from non-recyclable items is a significant concern for the program.
Charlotte Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for Mecklenburg County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charlotte city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Mecklenburg County →