Alamance County, NC Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum garbage service
- At least once a week
- Container cap
- Two 96-gallon containers per pickup
- Recyclables/other waste
- Twice monthly, 2 weeks apart
- Franchise term
- 5 years, one 3-year renewal
- Franchisee reports due
- August 1 annually
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 30 days
Summary
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.
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 pick up bulky items, large metal items including white goods, tires, or yard waste. Any person generating more than two (2) containers per week shall be responsible for proper disposal in accordance with these regulations. All recyclable material and solid waste, other than residential household garbage, shall be removed two times per month with at least two weeks between scheduled collection days.
Full Breakdown
Section 3 of the Alamance County Solid Waste Management Ordinance lets the Board of Commissioners grant an exclusive franchise and license to collect, transport and dispose of residential solid waste and recyclable material, county-wide or by area, and bars unauthorized haulers from operating in a franchised area. Subsection (8) requires residential household garbage to be removed from the customer's premises at least once a week, so long as the customer is not more than 30 days behind on collection fees; the franchisee is not required to pick up more than two containers, each capped at 96 gallons, and generators exceeding that must arrange their own disposal.
Recyclable material and other solid waste, apart from household garbage, must be picked up twice a month, with at least two weeks between scheduled collection days. Subsection (9) makes it unlawful, outside any municipality, for anyone but a licensed franchisee to collect, transport or dispose of solid waste, except for larger residential buildings of five or more units, manufactured home parks, institutions, and industrial or commercial businesses. Franchise terms run five years, renewable once for up to three years, with annual reports due to the Solid Waste Department each August 1.
Violations & Fines
Operating a collection business outside a granted franchise, where required, violates Section 3(9). Under Section 5, a chapter violation is a misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 14-4, fined up to $500 or up to 30 days' imprisonment, with each day a separate offense; the health director may also levy a civil penalty up to $1,000 for county correction costs, due within ten days before recovery through a civil debt action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is residential garbage picked up in Alamance County?
Can I hire any company to haul my trash in the unincorporated county?
How often does recycling get picked up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alamance County
Compare Alamance County to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
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