Winston-Salem, NC Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Cart use
- City-provided roll-out containers may be used only for recycling
- Collection
- Year round, placed at the curbline
- Extra cart
- $30.00 per year for one additional recycling container
- Contamination
- Non-recyclable items in the cart are unlawful under § 26-10(n)
- Three-strike rule
- City may remove the cart after three notices of violation in 12 months
- Stealing recyclables
- $100.00 civil penalty for removing materials from a recycling container
Summary
Winston-Salem gives each household a city recycling roll-out cart that may be used only for recycling, and putting non-recyclable items in it can cost you the cart after three notices in a year.
(h)Use of recycling mobile containers. Residents shall use city provided roll-out containers only for recycling. These containers will be collected year round. Service for one additional recycling container may be purchased for a fee of $30.00 per year. ... (n) It shall be unlawful to place non-recyclable items inside the recycling cart for collection. The city may remove carts and discontinue service to locations where notice of violation of the ordinance has been given three times within a 12-month period.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
Recycling in Winston-Salem runs on a city-issued 96-gallon roll-out cart. 00 per year. the day after. What counts as recyclable is defined at section 26-1(6) as newspapers and accompanying inserts, corrugated cardboard, glass, food and beverage containers, plastic soft drink containers and liquor bottles, spiral paper cans, aluminum, bimetal cans, steel or tin cans, and other items the city determines to be recyclable. Contamination is enforced: section 26-10(n) makes it unlawful to place non-recyclable items in the recycling cart, and the city may remove the cart and discontinue service where three notices of violation have been given within a 12-month period. Multi-family and commercial developments that use bulk collection have a separate obligation under section 26-3(b) to establish an adequately sized recycling container storage area.
Violations & Fines
Placing non-recyclable items in the recycling cart violates section 26-10(n), and after three notices of violation within 12 months the city may remove the cart and discontinue recycling service to that address. Taking recyclable materials out of a curbside bin or a drop-off container carries a separate $100.00 civil penalty under section 26-10(k), payable within 15 days and collectible by civil action rather than as a misdemeanor. Other violations of section 26-10 are a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4 with a fine of up to $500.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a second recycling cart in Winston-Salem?
What happens if I put the wrong things in the recycling cart?
What does Winston-Salem accept as recycling?
Is it illegal to take items out of a recycling bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
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