Trash & Recycling in Sampson County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Sampson County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Unincorporated Sampson County has no curbside pickup; residents haul household waste to County-owned Convenience Sites operated by GFL Environmental. Commercial haulers and non-residential generators must go straight to the Sampson County Landfill or another state-approved disposal site instead of the Convenience Sites.
Trash Pickup Rules in Sampson County
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 3-1-06(a), 3-1-08
(a) The convenience centers/recycling centers (“Convenience Sites”) located throughout Sampson County are owned by the County and are currently operated and maintained by an independent contractor which, as of the date of this ordinance, is Waste Industries, LLC dba GFL Environmental. Non-residential generators of solid waste and commercial haulers are not permitted to use the Convenience Sites...
Bin Placement Rules
Sampson County Code Section 2-6-03.B.3.C requires every refuse receptacle and detachable container in unincorporated Sampson County to stay covered at all times with a tight-fitting lid until the waste is collected. Commercial establishments face added container rules under Section 2-6-03.B.7, and the Planning and Development Department and Sheriff's Office enforce both with citations and civil penalties.
Sampson County Trash Container Rules
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 2-6-03.B.3.C, 2-6-03.B.7.A.1
C. Refuse. All solid waste shall be placed and maintained in refuse receptacles or detachable containers as specified herein. All refuse receptacles and containers shall be kept covered at all times with tight fitting covers until the solid waste is disposed. ... ... 1. Containers: ... All commercial establishments shall store their refuse in receptacles or containers as specified herein so as ...
Illegal Dumping
Sampson County makes it unlawful to litter, dump, or accumulate solid waste on any public or private property in the unincorporated area. Violators face a misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail, plus administrative penalties of $100 to $500 per offense that double for repeat violations.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Sampson County
Significant RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 3-1-06(b), 3-1-09, 3-1-14
(b) Littering and Illegal Dumping. It shall be unlawful for any person to litter, sweep, throw, deposit or dump, permit, allow or maintain or contribute to the accumulation of solid waste onto any public or private property unless the area is designated to accept litter or solid waste. It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of any building, structure, or land to permit ...
Yard Waste Collection
In unincorporated Sampson County, anyone generating tree and shrubbery trimmings or yard trash must keep them in adequate receptacles capable of holding the material, and trimmings placed near or hauled on public roads must be securely covered or tied down. The Planning and Development Department and Sheriff's Office enforce the county's solid waste ordinance, Sampson County Code Section 2-6-03, with citations and civil penalties for violations.
Sampson County Yard Waste Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code §§ 2-6-03.B.2, 2-6-03.B.3.E
Every person in possession, charge, or control of any property or project from which construction debris, business trash, refuse generated from outdoor events and festivals, garbage, household trash, industrial waste, tree and shrubbery trimmings, yard trash, or other solid waste is accumulated or produced shall provide adequate and suitable receptacles and/or containers capable of holding all ...
Dumpster Rules
In unincorporated Sampson County, the zoning ordinance's Multi-Family Development standard requires every apartment or townhouse project to provide its dumpster site with opaque screening before the Zoning Officer signs off on the site plan. The same section caps density at six units per acre, sets a 15% open-space minimum, and requires Environmental Health to certify septic capacity for each unit.
Sampson County Multi-Family Dumpster Screening
Some RestrictionsSampson County Code Sec. 2-27-18
2-27-18. Multi-Family Development (Apartments & Townhouses) 1. A minimum of 15% of the gross developed area shall be open space. ... ... 4. A dumpster site shall be provided with opaque screening.
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