Recycling Requirements: Cary vs Raleigh
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Cary, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Cary and Raleigh have similar restriction levels.
Cary, NC
Wake County
North Carolina prohibits disposal of specific recyclable materials in landfills statewide under G.S. 130A-309.10, applying uniformly to all residents, businesses, and waste haulers.
View full Cary rules →Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Raleigh operates a single-stream recycling program. Residents place all accepted recyclables in the blue recycling cart for bi-weekly collection. Accepted items include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), metal cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items must be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged). Contaminated recycling may not be collected. Businesses and multi-family properties must provide recycling access under city ordinance.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Banned Items Count | Over a dozen materials | - |
| Authority Statute | G.S. 130A-309.10 | - |
| Max Civil Penalty | $15,000 per violation | - |
| ABC Mandate | Beverage container recycling | - |
| Program Type | - | Single-stream curbside recycling |
| Collection Frequency | - | Bi-weekly (every other week) |
| Accepted Materials | - | Paper, cardboard, plastics #1-#7, metals, glass |
| Preparation | - | Clean, dry, loose — no bags |
| Business Requirement | - | Must provide recycling access |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cary FAQ
What items are banned from North Carolina landfills?
Banned items include aluminum cans, plastic bottles, electronics, televisions, computers, used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, scrap tires, white goods, yard waste, wooden pallets, and oyster shells.
Does the state landfill ban apply to my household trash?
Yes. The bans in G.S. 130A-309.10 apply to all generators including households. While individual citations are rare, haulers may reject contaminated loads, and businesses face stricter enforcement.
Raleigh FAQ
What can I recycle in Raleigh?
Raleigh accepts paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (#1-#7), metal cans, and glass bottles and jars. Items should be clean, dry, and placed loose in the blue cart — no plastic bags.
How often is recycling picked up in Raleigh?
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated collection day. Place the blue cart at the curb by 6:00 AM with accepted materials inside.
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