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Forsyth County, NC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Recycling removal
At least every 14 days
Landfill-banned items
Cans, bottles, tires, electronics
State law
N.C.G.S. 130A-309.10
Electronics/HHW
3RC EnviroStation, free
Recovered material
Diverted from waste stream

Summary

Recovered material to be recycled must be removed at least every 14 days. North Carolina law bans certain items from landfill disposal, including plastic bottles, aluminum cans, electronics and tires, so residents must recycle or divert them rather than throw them in the trash.

City-specific rules exist: Winston-Salem has its own recycling requirements rules that differ from Forsyth County's county-level regulations. If you live in Winston-Salem, check the city-specific page instead.

The owner or occupant of all premises upon which recovered material which is to be recycled is accumulated or stored, shall remove or cause to be removed all such materials from such premises at least bi-weekly, meaning at least once each fourteen (14) days.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).

Full Breakdown

Forsyth County Code Sec. 19-7(b) requires owners or occupants to remove recovered material to be recycled at least every 14 days. Recovered material means material with recycling potential diverted from the waste stream (Sec. 19-1). Landfill disposal of several materials is prohibited by state law, N.C.G.S. 130A-309.10, including aluminum cans, plastic beverage bottles, white goods, oyster shells, computers and televisions, wooden pallets, scrap tires, lead-acid batteries, used motor oil, used oil filters, and antifreeze. Franchise haulers may offer recycling collection; the 3RC EnviroStation accepts electronics and household hazardous waste.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 19 recycling-storage violations: misdemeanor up to $500 or 30 days plus civil penalty up to $500, each day separate. Disposing of banned items in a landfill violates state solid-waste law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling mandatory in Forsyth County?
State law bans certain items, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, electronics, tires, and more, from landfills, so those must be recycled or diverted. Recovered material set for recycling must be removed at least every 14 days.
What can't go in the landfill?
Under N.C.G.S. 130A-309.10, aluminum cans, plastic beverage bottles, white goods, computers, televisions, pallets, scrap tires, lead-acid batteries, used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze are all banned from landfill disposal.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Forsyth County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningHeavy RestrictionsFire Regulations: Brush ClearanceSome Restrictions

All Forsyth County rules

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Recycling Requirements in Cities Across Forsyth County

Winston-Salem, NC