Concord, NC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Concord's specific recyclables preparation standard sits in Sec. 46-33(a)(8), Chapter 46, Solid Waste, under the article covering pre-collection practices. The rule requires that all recyclables be drained of all liquids and rinsed to remove food residuals before being placed into the approved rollout cart, so a container with leftover sauce or liquid does not meet the standard. Concord runs single-stream collection, meaning all recyclables are placed into the cart together with sorting or separation not required, so residents do not need to separate glass, paper and plastic into different bins.

The ordinance specifically bars bagging recyclables, even for the backyard collection service available to elderly, disabled or handicapped residents who cannot bring a cart to the curb themselves; loose placement is required so the automated truck arm can dump the cart's full contents. Cardboard gets one added step: it should be cut or folded to fit in the recycle cart for collection, preventing an oversized box from blocking the lid or spilling other materials. These preparation requirements connect to Sec. 46-33(a)(5), which separately makes it unlawful to place any prohibited item into an approved recycling rollout cart, meaning contamination such as plastic bags, garden hoses or food waste is its own violation distinct from failing to rinse or flatten a proper recyclable.