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

Section 25-13(b)(1) sets up Greensboro's automated recyclables collection: the city provides one ninety-gallon container for wet and dry garbage and a separate ninety-gallon container for recyclables to each eligible household or business. If that isn't enough storage between collections, a resident or business may buy one additional automated container of either type for a fee, currently $65 under Section 25-21(e). Businesses generating more than two ninety-gallon containers' worth (over 180 gallons a week) of garbage or recyclables must convert to at least a six-yard stationary dumpster instead.

Section 25-2 defines what counts: recyclables are items included in the city's 'Recycle Greensboro' recycling program, including but not limited to selected glass, newsprint and accompanying inserts, magazines, aluminum, cardboard and other items the solid waste manager designates as recyclable. Businesses on the stationary-container program can likewise get a recycling dumpster and pay commercial recycling collection fees, which range from $100 to $173 a month depending on pickup frequency under Section 25-21(b)(3). If a recycling container is found contaminated with regular trash, Section 25-21(j) allows the city to empty it as trash and charge $100 per dumpster starting on the second such collection. Non-automated households use the same recyclables rules but with owner-supplied approved containers rather than city-issued carts.