Household Garbage Collection

The City of Wilson provides pick up of household garbage from all residential customers inside the city limits. This service is provided curbside to single-family dwellings by means of roll-out containers, while multi-family locations (apartment complexes, condominiums, etc.) are serviced by dumpsters. The following sections apply to single-family households. Multi-family units are addressed under the section entitled “Dumpster Service.”

One 96 gallon green roll-out container is provided to most residential dwellings at no charge other areas are serviced by "convenience centers". For those residents that are issued roll-outs, each can is designed to have a life expectancy of 7 years. After the seven (7) year period the resident is responsible for all cost associated with repair and/or replacement. Containers are serviced once per week at the curb. If you do not know your collection day, please call 252-399-2424 to inquire, or visit https://gis.wilsonnc.org/communitymaps/cityservices to search your address for collection routes. Listed below are procedures that must be followed to ensure service is provided:

• Position your container with the handle side to the house. Do not place containers in the street.
• Place behind the curb and 3′ from mailboxes, poles, trees and other obstructions.
• Container should not be located within 15 feet of any parked vehicle.
• Container must be placed at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on collection day (and may be set out the night before).
• Container must be retrieved from the curb within 24 hours of being serviced.
• All items placed inside the rollout container must be bagged. 

Backyard service is available to qualified elderly and disabled residents. Please call 252-399-2424 for an application.

Where does the garbage go? Since the Wilson County landfill is full and no longer approved for disposal of household garbage, waste is hauled to a Transfer Station where it is then transported to an approved landfill.

Overflow

If you regularly generate more than your container can hold, you have several options available:

• Purchase an additional roll-out container for trash or compost ($50). Please call 252-399-2424 or visit our Fix-It Wilson app for more information.
• Reduce your garbage volume by recycling all eligible materials (see list in the “Recycling” section).
• Place excess waste in bags and set out on Wednesday “Trash Day”.
• DO NOT PLACE EXCESS WASTE ON TOP OR BESIDE OF THE ROLLOUT. THIS WILL PREVENT YOUR ROLLOUT FROM BEING SERVICED.

Container Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your 96 gallon roll-out container is important. Containers are designed to last 7 years with proper use and care. After the seven (7) year period, all cost for maintenance, repair and/or replacement is the responsibility of the resident/owner. The following maintenance procedures are encouraged:

• All garbage shall be bagged. 
• Wash and rinse container on a regular basis
• Some materials are not appropriate for disposal in roll-out containers. See “Special Requests” section below for further information.
• Keep container lid closed to prevent water accumulation, the growth of bacteria, odor and pests
• If your container is damaged, please call 252-399-2424 for repair or replacement
• All stolen or lost cans are replaced at the cost of the resident/owner. The City of Wilson is not responsible for any cost due to theft. 

Please Note: In the event of a hurricane or high winds, secure container(s) to a fixed object or place inside a secured building.

Dumpster Service

Dumpster service is provided at apartment complexes and other multi-family dwellings. Depending upon your location, Service may be provided by a private hauler under contract with the City of Wilson. To ensure regular collection, please do not place any items in front of the dumpster.

• Appliances and large furniture should be placed next to the dumpster or in designated areas assigned by complexes (never in front of, or on top of the dumpster). Please call 252-399-2424 for pick up.

Customers with Physical Impairments

Backyard service is provided to qualified disabled and elderly customers when there is no one in the home physically able to place trash and recycling containers curbside. Please call 252-399-2424 to schedule an appointment to file an application for backyard service. Medical certification may be required. Please continue to place materials at the curb until you receive notification of your approval for this service.

Compost / Yard Waste

Residents must provide their own containers for yard waste (compost). Roll-out containers are not required, but are encouraged and are available for purchase. Please call 252-399-2424 for details.

• Effective May 1, 2020, Environmental Services will no longer accept bagged compost. Residents should place all loose compost in a container or on a tarp (not to exceed 100 pounds) for day-of service collection.
• “Compost” stickers are available at no charge to identify compost containers.
• Leaves (collected loose November 1 - March 1) must be put in containers at all other times
• Limbs (no longer than 4 feet in length and not to exceed 100 pounds) must be bundled and tied. Please note: limbs exceeding these limits must be called in for special pick up.
• Yard waste, limbs or any other debris generated by contract labor shall not be removed or serviced by the City of Wilson.
• Yard waste removal is for ordinary and customary amounts, excessive waste shall be serviced by special pickup arrangements and may involve additional cost or fees. Please contact the office for further details. 
• Please do not pile yard waste on top of water meters, utility boxes, City/DOT right-of-ways, nor blocking any sidewalk access.

Please Note: It is unlawful and a violation of city code to place, sweep or blow leaves and other yard waste into the curb, gutter, street, storm drains or catch basins. Warning notices will be issued to violators, with tickets issued to repeat offenders. Materials must be placed behind the curb for collection.

Mulch is Available

Yard waste collected by the City is taken to the City facility where it is shredded and made into mulch. The mulch is then made available to City residents for no charge. For more information, or to schedule a time to have mulch loaded, please contact dispatch at 252-399-2424.

Recycling

Recycling is provided for residential customers as part of solid waste services. Recycling service may include curbside pickup, "neighborhood recycling locations" or "convenient centers". Please contact the City office for collection schedules in your area. 

Please Note: The recycling symbol on an item does not automatically mean the City can accept it. What we accept is based on the end-user market in our area. Currently the following items are collected:

• Steel and aluminum cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• #1-#7 plastics (milk, soft drink, detergent bottles, etc.)
• Newspapers and inserts, magazines, white paper, phone books
• Cardboard (cereal, moving boxes, etc.) — No pizza boxes

Where rollout containers are used, placement shall be behind the curb before 7:00 a.m. to insure collection. Place three feet or more from your garbage can. If your bin is missed, please call 252-399-2424 to let us know. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, saves on natural resources (including energy, water, minerals and trees), and helps reduce pollution. Recycling is good for the environment and for everyone!

Important to remember: one can containing garbage or incorrect material renders an entire neighborhood recycling "contaminated" and therefore all recycling must be disposed of as ordinary garbage. 

What do our recyclables become?

• Recycled newspapers and magazines are used to make cellulose insulation, recycled paper, animal bedding, fiberboard, molded pulp products, telephone books, etc.
• Steel cans are melted into new steel cans, “re-bars” (to reinforce concrete), and car parts.
• Aluminum cans are made into new aluminum cans, and other products such as foil and car parts.
• Plastic drink bottles (PET #1) become carpet, clothing, fiberfill insulation, boat hulls, office binders, and flotation devices.
• Milk jugs (HDPE #2) become plastic lumber, fencing, plastic sheeting/drop cloths, marine pilings, plastic bricks and also in manufacturing railway ties.
• Glass containers are recycled into new glass containers, highway markings, sandblasting sand and fiberglass, construction materials, or as an aggregate in road and sidewalk projects.

Overflow

If you routinely fill your bin, you can purchase another city bin ($50). Call 252-399-2424 for more information.

Damaged Bin

If your recycling bin is damaged beyond use, please call 252-399-2424 to request a replacement. Please be aware there may be a $50 fee to purchase a new bin due to the nature of the damage. A new rollout is designed to last 7 years, after 7 years. all cost associated with repair or replacement is the responsibility of the resident/owner. 

Bulky Waste

Bulky waste is defined as those items that typically will not fit in a regular garbage truck or require special handling due to landfill or environmental regulations (see examples below). Please call 252-399-2424 or submit a service request with our Fix-It Wilson App for pick up.

Place items behind the curb and away from trees, parked vehicles, mailboxes or other obstructions. Please do not place these items on top of water meters or utility boxes.

• Furniture (sofa, chair, table, bed frame, mattress, etc.)
• Appliances & other White Goods (TV, water heater, air conditioner, etc.)
• Limbs (larger than 4′ in length)
• Tires

Per City ordinance, disposal of the following items is the responsibility of the homeowner (or the contractor) and will not be collected by city crews:

• Automobile Parts
• Roofing Shingles
• Construction & Remodeling Debris
• Dirt / Sod
• Concrete / Rocks / Gravel
• Flammables: Gasoline, Tanks
• Hot Ashes
• Animal Waste
• Furnaces
• Stumps

This material may be taken to the Wilson County Landfill (a fee may be assessed).

“Trash Day” Wednesday Collection

Trash Day is for overflow household garbage and small items that typically will not fit in roll-out containers. Place behind the curb before 7:00 a.m. for collection. 

• Bagged household garbage
• Small furniture and loose items
• Roll-out containers are not serviced on Wednesdays except in designated areas.
• Yard waste (compost) is not picked up on Wednesdays

Special Requests

There are several items that will need to be picked up by a special truck. Please call the office at 252-399-2424 or visit our Fix-It Wilson app to submit your request. Place the items behind the curb before requesting collection.

• Boxes and cardboard
• Used motor oil (place in a clear container (milk or drink bottle) with a sealable lid).
• Used cooking oil
• Dried latex paint
• Batteries

Dead Animals

To report dead animals, call 252-399-2424. Please do not place the animal in a roll-out container.