Buncombe County, NC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Stream
- Co-mingled (single-stream)
- Plastics
- Bottles/jugs/containers #1–7
- Cardboard
- Flatten and leave at curb
- Not accepted
- Bags, Styrofoam, foil, shredded paper
- Drop-off
- Landfill or transfer station
Summary
Buncombe County offers curbside recycling to FCC subscribers and free drop-off at the landfill and transfer station. Accepted: metal cans, plastics #1–7, glass bottles/jars, cartons, mixed paper, and flattened cardboard. Not accepted: plastic bags, Styrofoam, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, dishware, paper towels, or shredded paper.
Plastic - bottles, jugs, and containers with recycling numbers 1 through 7.
Full Breakdown
Recycling is co-mingled (single-stream). The county lists accepted materials as metal cans (aluminum, steel, tin, empty aerosol), "Plastic - bottles, jugs, and containers with recycling numbers 1 through 7," glass bottles and jars, aluminum pie tins/food trays, milk/juice cartons and juice boxes, newspapers and inserts, and corrugated cardboard (flatten and leave at the curb). Excluded items include aluminum foil, dishes or cookware, Styrofoam, plastic wrap, paper towels or tissues, plastic bags, and shredded paper. Subscribers get bi-weekly curbside pickup; everyone can drop off at the landfill or transfer station convenience centers. Remove recyclables from blue bags before depositing them at county facilities.
Violations & Fines
Recycling is provided as a service rather than a fined mandate for households; contaminated loads may be rejected, but there is no household recycling penalty in the county code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plastics does Buncombe County accept?
Is recycling mandatory for residents?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buncombe County
Compare Buncombe County to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
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