Burke County, NC Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 58-128 governs how yard debris and similar bulky refuse must be prepared for pickup or transport under chapter 58's solid waste article. Boxes, leaves, tree trimmings, shrubbery trimmings and similar yard refuse must be prepared for conveyance to the sanitary landfill as the section describes rather than simply set out loose. Leaves specifically must go into plastic bags, heavy paper bags or other enclosed containers or vehicles so they cannot blow or otherwise escape. Tree and shrubbery trimmings, limbs and similar materials must be cut into four- to five-foot lengths with protruding branches trimmed, and then bundled, placed in containers, or placed in heavy refuse bags; the section separately bars putting such materials into county collection centers at all, meaning trimmings have to go straight to the landfill rather than a drop-off green box.

The same article also covers cardboard: boxes and wooden crates handled at a county collection center or by a collection agency must be flattened, tied into bundles a single person can carry or capped at 50 pounds, and placed in heavy bags or refuse receptacles, though that weight and size limit does not apply to waste that commercial, institutional or industrial establishments deliver straight to the landfill themselves. 00, up to 30 days, or both, assessed per day the violation continues.