Winston-Salem Garbage & Recycling Ordinance

Public Health and Welfare North Carolina 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of North Carolina · By Emily Carter

Winston-Salem, North Carolina residents must follow city rules for curbside garbage pickup and recycling to keep streets safe and sanitary. This guide explains how collection schedules work in Winston-Salem, who enforces the rules, common violations, and the practical steps to find your collection day, report missed service, and comply with local ordinances.

Collection schedule and service overview

The City operates residential curbside collection and a recycling program with designated collection days, set routes, and rules for placement and container types. To confirm your exact pickup day use the official collection lookup or contact Solid Waste Services directly via the city collection page City collection & recycling[1]. For ordinance language that governs refuse and recyclables, consult the municipal code Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances[2].

  • Place carts at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day or the evening prior as specified by the collection lookup.
  • Use approved city carts or containers; loose trash or incorrect containers may be rejected.
  • Do not place hazardous materials, large appliances, or electronics at the curb unless scheduled for special collection.
Check curbside rules before moving bulky items to the sidewalk.

Accepted and restricted items

Typical accepted items include household trash in approved containers and designated recyclables; restricted items include hazardous waste, batteries, medical sharps, and unprepared construction debris unless a special service is arranged. For items requiring special handling, use the city pages for scheduling special pickup or county hazardous waste events special collection info[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of refuse and recycling requirements is handled by the City's Solid Waste Services and Code Enforcement units; specific inspection and complaint pathways are managed through the city's Solid Waste or Code Enforcement contact pages Solid Waste Services[1] and the municipal code Code of Ordinances[2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal code for governing penalties or contact Code Enforcement for current fines.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; enforcement may escalate per ordinance language.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to abate or remove refuse, administrative citations, and referral to municipal court are described in the code or applied by Code Enforcement.[2]
  • Inspection and complaints: report missed pickups or violations via the city's Solid Waste contact methods on the official collection page.[1]
  • Appeal and review: the municipal code or enforcement notice will specify appeal routes and time limits; if not shown on the enforcement notice page, these are "not specified on the cited page."[2]
If a penalty notice is issued, follow the stated appeal instructions promptly.

Applications & Forms

Forms for routine collection service are not typically required; special pickups or bulky item scheduling may require an online request through the city's collection page. Specific form names or numbers are not specified on the cited pages; check the Solid Waste Services page for any published request forms or online portals.[1]

How to report a missed pickup or violation

  • Confirm your scheduled day with the address lookup on the city collection page before reporting.
  • Report missed pickups or code violations via the official contact or service request form listed on the Solid Waste Services page.
  • Document the issue: note date, place, and take photos to include with your report.
Keep receipts or confirmation numbers after reporting for appeal or follow-up.

FAQ

How do I find my garbage collection day?
Use the citys collection lookup on the Solid Waste Services page or call the city contact listed on that page.[1]
What items are recyclable curbside?
Accepted curbside recyclables are listed on the city recycling page; check the official guidance for accepted materials and preparation instructions.[1]
How do I report a missed pickup?
Report missed pickups through the Solid Waste Services contact or online service request on the city page; include your address and pickup details.[1]

How-To

  1. Go to the citys collection lookup page to enter your address and confirm collection days and rules.[1]
  2. If an item requires special collection, follow the scheduling instructions or submit the special pickup request on the Solid Waste page.[1]
  3. To report service issues, call or submit an online service request via the official Solid Waste contact listed on the city site and retain your confirmation number.

Key Takeaways

  • Always confirm your curbside collection day with the official lookup.
  • Use approved containers and follow preparation rules to avoid rejected loads or citations.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Winston-Salem  Solid Waste & Recycling information and collection lookup
  2. [2] Winston-Salem Code of Ordinances  municipal code on refuse and recycling

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Emily Carter

Emily Carter

Municipal Policy Researcher

Emily researches municipal codes and local ordinances across the United States. She verifies every guide against official city and state sources before publication.