Winston-Salem, NC Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Cart limit
- Three 96-gallon carts (288 gal)
- Earliest set-out
- 5:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Latest set-out
- 6:00 a.m. collection day
- Removal deadline
- 8:00 a.m. next morning
- Extra cart fee
- $65.00 per year
Summary
Winston-Salem residents may set trash carts at the curb starting 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup, no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day, and must pull them back in by 8:00 a.m. the next morning.
Residents may place the container at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the resident's normally scheduled collection day. Carts should be placed out no later than 6:00 a.m. on the normal day of collection. All carts should be removed from the curb by 8:00 a.m. the day after collection, unless collected on a Friday. Friday collection carts must be removed by 8:00 a.m. Monday, unless the schedule is changed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
City code caps residential curbside collection at three 96-gallon carts, or 288 gallons total, per pickup. The city provides one cart free to each non-exempt single-family household; additional carts cost $65 per year. Carts may go to the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled collection day and must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. They must be removed from the curb by 8:00 a.m. the following morning, except Friday collections, which must be cleared by 8:00 a.m. Monday unless the schedule changes for a holiday.
Violations & Fines
Violating the cart limit or set-out window is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put my trash cart out in Winston-Salem?
How many trash carts get collected at one address?
When must I bring my cart back in?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.