Trash & Recycling in Alamance County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Alamance County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Recycling Requirements
Alamance County requires every residential and commercial generator, plus commercial haulers, to participate in the county recycling program and separate Target Recyclables from trash before collection. Mixing garbage into a marked recycling container is a separate violation, with criminal fines up to $500 and civil penalties up to $1,000.
Alamance County Curbside Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsAlamance County Recycling Ordinance, Section 3(1)-(3)
(1) All Persons, including both Residential and Commercial Generators and Commercial Haulers, shall participate in the Alamance County Recycling program as provided herein. (2) All Persons, including both Residential and Commercial Generators, shall separate all Target Recyclables from solid waste prior to collection. (3) It shall be a violation of this Chapter for anyone to place any garbage, ...
Illegal Dumping
Alamance County's Solid Waste Management Ordinance bars anyone from throwing, dumping, or depositing solid waste on any property, including their own, or on public streets, parks, or other public land not specifically designated for disposal. A violation is a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and possible jail time, plus a separate civil penalty.
Alamance County Illegal Dumping Ban
Heavy RestrictionsAlamance County Solid Waste Management Ordinance § 4(1)(e)
No person shall throw, dump, deposit, or cause to be thrown, dumped, or deposited solid waste on property owned by the person, another person, or on any public highway, street or road; upon public parks or recreation areas; or upon any other public property except property specifically designated for that use.
Yard Waste Collection
Alamance County's Solid Waste Management Ordinance defines yard waste as brush, tree limbs, and similar vegetative material from landscaping, and specifically bars it from both the sanitary landfill's regular disposal area and standard solid waste containers, steering it toward separate handling rather than the household trash stream.
Alamance County Yard Waste Disposal Rule
Some RestrictionsAlamance County Solid Waste Management Ordinance §2; § 4(3)(t); § 4(14)(d)(xx)
Yard waste means solid waste resulting from landscaping and yard maintenance such as brush, tree limbs, and similar vegetative material... The following wastes may not be disposed of in the landfill: ... (t) Yard waste... The following wastes may not be deposited in solid waste containers: ... xx. Yard waste.
Dumpster Rules
Alamance County requires garbage and solid waste receptacles, including dumpsters, to be durable, rust-resistant, watertight and rodent-proof with a close-fitting cover, and bans storing perishable garbage more than a week. Storage that draws rodents, vermin or creates a fire hazard is separately unlawful, with fines up to $500 and civil penalties up to $1,000.
Alamance County Solid Waste Container Rules
Some RestrictionsAlamance County Solid Waste Management Ordinance, Section 4(1)(a)-(b)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to store any garbage in any container which is not durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof, and easily cleanable with a close-fitting, fly-tight cover in place with adequate handles or bails to facilitate handling, not to exceed a 96-gallon capacity, or other types of containers conforming to the intent of this Chapter. It shall al...
Collection Schedule
County-franchised haulers must remove residential household garbage from a customer's premises at least once a week, capped at two 96-gallon containers, while recyclables and other solid waste are collected twice a month, at least two weeks apart. Only Board-licensed franchisees may collect for compensation outside town limits.
Alamance County Residential Trash Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsAlamance County Solid Waste Management Ordinance, Section 3(8)
Residential household garbage shall be removed from the customer's premises at least once a week, provided the customer is no more than thirty (30) days in arrears in payment of the required collection fees. However, the franchisee shall not be required to pick up more than two (2) containers of garbage, each container to be no larger than 96 gallons. The franchises shall not be required to pic...
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