Bin Placement Rules: Apex vs Cary
How do bin placement rules rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex and Cary have similar restriction levels.
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex residential carts are serviced by GFL Environmental using automated side-arm trucks, which means residents must place carts at the curb with adequate clearance. Roll your cart to the curb the night before your scheduled collection day. Carts must be positioned 3-4 feet apart from each other and from any vehicle, mailbox, fire hydrant, pole, or fence to allow the automated arm to operate. All items must fit INSIDE the cart with the lid fully closed — overfilled carts are skipped. Yard waste is placed loose at the curb (no carts currently used) for separate next-day collection by Town Public Works.
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
Wake County Code §50.04 requires garbage to be stored only in durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight containers with close-fitting, fly-tight covers. Each city sets its own placement rules; the county does not regulate placement on private lots beyond the storage standard.
View full Cary rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Code | Apex Code Ch. 12 Art. IV & V | - |
| Set-Out Time | Night before collection day | - |
| Cart Clearance | 3-4 ft from vehicles, mailboxes, hydrants, poles | - |
| Cart Spacing | 3-4 ft between carts | - |
| Lid Rule | Must fully close — overfilled carts skipped | - |
| Yard Waste Format | LOOSE at curb (no carts yet) | - |
| Stick/Limb Max | 8 ft long, 8 in diameter | - |
| Prohibited in Trash | Yard waste, C&D, hazardous, electronics, hot ashes | - |
| Container standard | - | Watertight, fly-tight |
| County setback | - | None |
| Raleigh setback | - | 3-5 ft on pickup day |
| Storage | - | Behind front building line |
| Code | - | Wake County §50.04 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
When do I put my Apex trash and recycling carts at the curb?
Roll your carts to the curb the night before your scheduled collection day. Position them 3-4 feet apart from each other and at least 3-4 feet away from any vehicle, mailbox, fire hydrant, pole, tree, or fence — GFL uses automated side-arm trucks that cannot service blocked or improperly oriented carts. All items must be INSIDE the cart with the lid fully closed; overfilled carts are skipped and 'trash spills onto the street.' Return carts out of the right-of-way the same day after collection or face Code Enforcement citation as a public nuisance.
Can I put yard waste in my Apex trash cart?
No. Yard waste is collected separately by the Town's Public Works crews on the business day FOLLOWING your garbage/recycling day. Apex currently does not use carts for yard waste — set it out LOOSE at the curb (not bagged). Two trucks service yard waste: a chipper truck for sticks/limbs up to 8 feet long and 8 inches in diameter, and a vacuum truck for leaves, grass, and small clippings. PROHIBITED in yard waste: dirt, sod, mulch, and rocks — these damage equipment. Pumpkins go in the trash cart or to Public Works at 105 Upchurch Street.
Cary FAQ
Can I leave my bin at the curb all week?
In unincorporated Wake, the county doesn't ticket curbside storage but the container must remain watertight and lidded. Inside cities, expect fines.
What if my bin is cracked?
§50.04 requires durable, watertight containers. Replace damaged bins; private haulers may refuse pickup.
Are wooden trash bins OK?
Wood is absorbent and not allowed — the standard requires nonabsorbent, watertight construction.
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