North Carolina Statewide Rule

North Carolina Statewide Landfill Bans and Recycling Mandates

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across North Carolina (2026)

Key Facts

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

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: North Carolina General Assembly

Summary

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.

(f) No person shall knowingly dispose of the following solid wastes in landfills: (1) Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 375, s. 1. (2) Used oil. (3) Yard trash, except in landfills approved for the disposal of yard trash under rules adopted by the Commission. Yard trash that is source separated from solid waste may be accepted at a solid waste disposal area where the area provides and maintains separate yard trash composting facilities. (4) White goods. (5) Antifreeze (ethylene glycol). (6) Aluminum cans.

Source: North Carolina General AssemblyView official code

Full Breakdown

G.S. 130A-309.10(f) and (m) establish a statewide landfill ban on aluminum cans, plastic bottles, oyster shells, wooden pallets, oil filters, antifreeze, used motor oil, lead-acid batteries, white goods (appliances), yard waste, scrap tires, electronics including computers and televisions, and recyclable materials separated for recycling. Local governments operate the collection and processing systems, but the ban itself is a state law and cannot be relaxed locally. ABC permit holders are also required to recycle beverage containers under G.S. 130A-309.10(m).

Violations & Penalties

Knowingly disposing of banned materials in a landfill is subject to civil penalties up to $15,000 per violation under G.S. 130A-22. Waste haulers may refuse loads containing banned materials, and ABC permit holders face license sanctions for recycling failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Sources

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