High Point, NC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Section 6-2-5(f) sets the operating rule: the city "provides for the collection of recyclable materials and strongly encourages all customers to participate," recyclables go in a city-approved container, acceptable materials are defined in the Code and city literature, and materials do not require sorting. The same subsection draws a hard line against contamination: "Mixing garbage, yard waste, or other materials with recyclables will result in a notice of violation and no collection," and after three notices of violation within a 12-month period the city may remove the cart and discontinue recycling service to that address altogether.

Collection frequency comes from § 6-2-6(a): rollout carts for recyclables and bulk items are picked up every other week, while garbage and yard waste run weekly, with the Central Business District serviced four times a week for garbage. The Code defines "recycling" as any process by which solid waste or materials that would otherwise become solid waste are collected, separated, or processed and reused or returned to use, and "recyclable material" covers items with resale value that would otherwise be discarded, including newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, telephone books, plastic bottles (#1 PET), plastic containers (#2 HDPE), steel and aluminum cans, glass containers, and yard waste (§ 6-2-1(34)-(35)).

Certain materials are barred from the recycling stream entirely: electronics, tires, batteries, chemicals, and other hazardous or special waste must go to the county or city hazardous-waste facility instead of the recycling cart (§ 6-2-5(g)-(i)).