Brunswick County, NC Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Sec. on scheduled pick-up days. The receptacle has to sit at least five (5) feet away from mailboxes, utility poles, parked cars, or other obstacles so collection crews can service it safely. The rule applies to every household using county-provided pick-up, since the vendor's automated collection trucks need mailbox and pole clearance to service the cart without damage. The same subsection makes the occupant responsible for keeping the receptacle clean, controlling odors, and bagging or tying loose trash inside it, though bulky items like large cardboard boxes are exempt from the bagging requirement.

Solid waste receptacles remain the property of the county's collection vendor under Sec. 1-11-23(4)a and may not be removed from the premises by the resident. This placement rule governs unincorporated Brunswick County only; Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash, and Boiling Spring Lakes each set their own cart placement and set-out rules inside town limits.