About Us

Automated Side Load TruckRecycle Today Program

The Recycle Today program provides recycling collection to single-family households, some small businesses, and multi-family units that have requested recycling service. Collection is performed by a private contractor, Waste Management.

The program recycles those items found in the recycling guidelines, no sorting necessary. Rollout recycling carts must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day. Please ensure that the cart is at least three feet from any other object, including another cart. Do not place your cart under low-hanging wires or branches.

Recyclable materials are taken to a Materials Recovery Facility where they are separated, baled, and prepared for market. Ultimately, those recyclables will come back in the form of new products.

Please remember that it is unlawful for any person to remove any recyclable material from recycling collection containers. The violator of City Code 26-10(k) is subject to a $100 civil penalty, which may be collected by the city as a debt.

Importance of Recycling

Recycling is the right economic and environmental choice. Any way that you look at it, recycling is the right thing to do! Recycling:

  • Creates jobs and market demand for recyclable products
  • Increases the life span of landfills
  • Reduces air and water pollution
  • Saves money, natural resources and energy

Don't forget to recycle when traveling too! If you are driving, keep some bags in the car to collect recyclables.

Plastic Bags

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle your plastic bags by bringing them back to a local grocery store near you and placing them in the designated bins near the entrance. The material recovery facility is stopped approximately three times a day to unclog the machinery used at the facility. The machines are getting clogged primarily with plastic bags that are incorrectly thrown in the blue recycling bins in people's homes. 

View an informational video about plastic bags in Winston-Salem.