Whether you are a private hauler or taking off your trash and recycling to a Collection Center or bringing something to the Main Facility, all loads must be secured.

Though you may not intentionally litter, if you do not secure the items in your vehicle, you are contributing to dangerous and unsightly roadside litter. Do not rely on the item's weight to keep it in place during travel. Any debris and flying objects pose a danger to other motorists.

We all share a responsibility to keep Chatham County's roadways clean. 

How to Secure your Load

• Tie down large items using rope, straps, bungee cords, etc. Make sure you tie it down to your vehicle.
• For loose loads, properly cover with a tarp, net, or similar item. Secure the cover to your vehicle.
• Do not overload your vehicle.
• The load must be secure from front to rear and side to side. 

These images show an example of a secure load, which includes a covering and straps tied down to the vehicle:

Tarps are available for purchase at the Main Facility and during mulch sales. The tarps for $3 each and are 6 x 8 feet.

Laws Governing Secure Loads

Under North Carolina law it is illegal to haul an improperly secured load. Penalties for littering include up to a $2,000 fine, community service work, and one point on a motorist's driver license upon conviction.

NC General Statute 14-399: When litter is blown, scattered, spilled, thrown, or placed from a vehicle or watercraft, the operator thereof shall be presumed to have committed this offense.

NC General Statute 20-116 (g)(1): No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is constructed and loaded to prevent any of its load from falling, blowing, dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom, and the vehicle shall not contain any holes, cracks, or openings through which any of its load may escape.

Chatham County Solid Waste Ordinance: All vehicles used for the transportation of solid waste shall be covered or secured by some effective means to prevent the spillage or loss of waste while being transported. Effective means shall include durable, heavy plastic or  canvas, or tie downs to secure the entire load, front to rear and side to side. Loads consisting of construction and demolition materials, limbs, or bulky items shall be secured with rope or tie downs to assure there is no spillage or littering of waste. View the Solid Waste Ordinance on our Solid Waste & Recycling Documents page. 

If you would like to report an unsecured load or illegal dumping, please call our 24-hour Illegal Dumping Hotline at (919) 545-7873. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Main Office Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm at (919) 542-5516 or email us anytime at recycle@chathamcountync.gov