Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Leland
North Carolina residential routes run Monday through Friday. Please refer to your city or county zoning map for your specific curbside collection day.
State Mandate
NC DEQ strictly bans aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and electronics from landfill disposal.
Green or Dark Gray (GFL Cart) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and tied before placing it in the 96-gallon container. Carts must be rolled out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and removed from the curb promptly after pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue (If subscribed through GFL) Bin (Recycling)
Since the town program ended, recycling is via private subscription or self-haul. If subscribed, place items loosely in the cart without plastic bags. Rinse all food containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and newspaper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (depending on private contract)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is banned from landfill disposal in North Carolina and cannot be put in the trash cart. It must be composted on-site or taken directly to the Brunswick County Landfill or a Convenience Center.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Not provided free curbside; drop-off or paid scheduling required
Placement
If you schedule a special bulk pickup with GFL, items must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the agreed date, without blocking sidewalks or roadways.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (via special request)
- ✓ Mattresses (via special request)
- ✓ Large toys and bicycles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Unbagged asbestos
- ✕ Live ammunition
Taking bulk items to convenience centers or the landfill will incur tipping fees based on weight. Private curbside collection by GFL also requires an additional, pre-arranged fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection day falls on or after an observed holiday, pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Friday routes will be collected on Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Not applicable, as yard waste is not collected curbside with regular Brunswick County services.
Holidays that fall on a weekend generally do not disrupt the weekday residential collection schedule. Always verify with GFL Environmental for exact dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Yard Waste Out of the Trash
Never hide grass clippings or leaves inside your bagged household garbage. Collection trucks will reject carts containing yard waste because state law strictly forbids organic landscape debris from entering the landfill.
Electronics Belong at the Drop-Off
Old computers, televisions, and other e-waste are banned from curbside trash carts. Placing these in your bin is a violation; they must be taken to a Brunswick County convenience center for specialized recycling.
No Plastic Bags in Recycling
If you utilize the county drop-off centers or pay for private recycling, never bundle your recyclables in plastic grocery bags. Empty the items loosely into the bins and throw the plastic bags in the regular trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilBrunswick County typically hosts a 'Free Cleanup Week' in the spring, allowing Leland residents to dispose of bulky items, furniture, and excess debris at the county landfill without paying standard tipping fees.
Hurricane Season
August to OctoberDuring severe weather watches along the coast, residents are urged to secure their 96-gallon carts. High winds can turn empty carts into dangerous projectiles or scatter household trash into local waterways.
Post-Holiday
December to JanuaryRemember that wrapping paper with metallic foil or glitter cannot be recycled. Also, large amounts of cardboard from holiday shipping should be broken down flat and taken to a convenience center if it exceeds your cart's capacity.
About Leland Waste Management
How Solid Waste Works in the Town of Leland
Unlike many municipalities of its size, the Town of Leland does not operate its own municipal solid waste department. Instead, residential trash collection is managed through Brunswick County, which contracts exclusively with GFL Environmental. Every household is provided with a 96-gallon rollout cart. To maintain clean streets and prevent litter, all household garbage must be securely bagged before being placed inside the container. Carts must be out by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
The Status of Curbside Recycling
Historically, the Town of Leland funded a curbside recycling program for its residents. However, due to dramatically increasing operational costs, the town allowed this contract to expire in June 2021. Today, Leland residents who wish to recycle at the curb must set up a private subscription directly with GFL Environmental. Alternatively, residents can sort and haul their own recyclables to the Leland Convenience Center on Chappell Loop Road free of charge.
North Carolina Landfill Bans on Yard Waste
Keeping your lawn beautiful comes with a strict disposal rule: North Carolina state law completely bans yard waste from entering standard landfills. This means you cannot put grass clippings, leaves, or branches into your GFL trash cart. Brunswick County does not provide regular curbside yard waste pickup, so residents must either compost debris on their property or haul it to the Brunswick County Landfill for proper processing.
Navigating Bulk Item Disposal and Electronics
If you are upgrading your furniture or clearing out old appliances, you cannot simply leave them at the curb next to your trash cart. Brunswick County's standard curbside service does not include free bulk pickup. You have two options: haul the items yourself to a county convenience center (where small tipping fees may apply), or contact GFL Environmental to schedule and pay for a special bulky item collection directly from your driveway.
Drop-off Facilities
Brunswick County Landfill
172 Landfill Rd NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
Materials Accepted
Leland Convenience Center
9921 Chappell Loop Rd SE, Leland, NC 28451
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Town of Leland provide its own trash collection?
No. Leland does not have its own municipal solid waste department. Curbside trash service is provided to residents by Brunswick County, which contracts the daily operations to GFL Environmental.
Why did my recycling stop getting picked up in Leland?
The Town of Leland discontinued its town-funded curbside recycling program in June 2021 due to rising operational costs. Residents who want curbside recycling must now set up a private, paid subscription directly with GFL Environmental or self-haul to a county convenience center.
Can I put grass clippings and leaves in my trash cart?
No. North Carolina law bans yard waste from being disposed of in landfills. You cannot place yard waste in your GFL trash cart. It must be composted on-site or hauled to the Brunswick County Landfill.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress in Leland?
Brunswick County does not offer free curbside bulk pickup. You can either hire GFL Environmental for a special curbside collection at your own expense, or haul the item yourself to the Brunswick County Landfill or the Leland Convenience Center (tipping fees may apply).