Recycling in North Carolina

Where to recycle, donate or get rid of things in 27 cities and towns across North Carolina. Pick your city, or search for your item. We also pick up anywhere in the state.

Find your city or county

Don’t see your town? Check its county. County landfills and programs usually cover smaller towns.

Mecklenburg County

Nash County

Rocky Mount7

New Hanover County

Wilmington13

Onslow County

Jacksonville7

Orange County

County sites and programs only

Pitt County

Greenville9

Wake County

Wilson County

Wilson9

North Carolina rules

North Carolina bans televisions, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, scanner-fax machines and other computer peripherals (except keyboards and mice) from landfills. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Electronics Management (opens in new tab)
Discarded televisions may not knowingly be put in a landfill in North Carolina. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)
Discarded computer equipment may not knowingly be put in a landfill in North Carolina. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)

More North Carolina rules (61)

Discarded computer equipment and televisions also may not be burned in a permitted incinerator. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)
The disposal ban on computer equipment and televisions took effect July 1, 2011. Source: NC DEQ: Recycling Opportunities for North Carolina Households (electronics) (opens in new tab)
The state Electronics Management Program shares responsibility for recycling among computer makers, TV makers, retailers, local and state government, and consumers. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Electronics Management (opens in new tab)
Most North Carolina counties and some towns run public electronics drop-off sites; DEQ tells residents to contact their local solid waste and recycling office. Source: NC DEQ: Recycling Opportunities for North Carolina Households (electronics) (opens in new tab)
DEQ says many retailers, such as Apple, Best Buy, Staples and Office Depot, offer electronics take-back programs. Source: NC DEQ: Manufacturer and Retail Take-Back and Recycling Programs (electronics) (opens in new tab)
DEQ lists local charities as an option for donating cell phones, working computers and other electronics. Source: NC DEQ: Recycling Opportunities for North Carolina Households (electronics) (opens in new tab)
Television makers must each year recycle, or arrange recycling of, their market share of discarded TVs. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.135: Requirements for television manufacturers (opens in new tab)
Covered televisions include direct-view and projection TVs with a screen of 9 inches or larger (CRT, plasma, LCD, LED and similar). Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.131: Definitions (discarded computer equipment and televisions) (opens in new tab)
Manufacturer registration fees go into the Electronics Management Fund; after state administration, the money is distributed each year to eligible local governments. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.137: Electronics Management Fund (opens in new tab)
Each television maker pays a $2,500 annual registration fee to the state, credited to the Electronics Management Fund. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.135: Requirements for television manufacturers (opens in new tab)
Local governments that get state electronics funds must contract with an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Electronics Information for NC Local Governments (opens in new tab)
Since March 16, 2015, keyboards, mice and other peripherals are no longer covered devices under the law. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Electronics Management (opens in new tab)
Whole scrap tires may not be landfilled in North Carolina. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
Each county is responsible for disposing of scrap tires within its boundaries. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
Every county must provide, itself or by contract, at least one scrap tire disposal site. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
The county site (or its contractor) may not charge a scrap tire disposal fee, except for manufacturer reject tires or loads without the certificate showing the tires came from a North Carolina county. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
A fee (no more than the disposal cost) may be charged for tires delivered without the certification form showing they came from a North Carolina county. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
The certification form is not required for five or fewer tires brought by someone who is not a tire collector, processor or hauler. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.58: Disposal of scrap tires (opens in new tab)
DEQ: contact your county about scrap tire disposal and scrap tire complaints. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
A scrap tire disposal tax applies to each new tire sold at retail: 2% of the sales price for tires under 20 inches bead diameter, 1% for 20 inches or more. Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-187.16: Scrap tire disposal tax imposed (opens in new tab)
The scrap tire tax is a privilege tax on tire retailers, charged as a percentage of each new tire's sales price. Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-187.16: Scrap tire disposal tax imposed (opens in new tab)
70% of net scrap tire tax proceeds are distributed to counties per capita. Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-187.19: Use of scrap tire tax proceeds (opens in new tab)
Counties may spend their scrap tire tax share only on scrap tire disposal or abating tire nuisances. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.54: Use of scrap tire tax proceeds (opens in new tab)
Bicycle tires and other human-powered vehicle tires are not covered by the scrap tire law. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.53: Scrap tire definitions (opens in new tab)
Anyone hauling scrap tires must register with DEQ and get a scrap tire hauling ID number. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Scrap Tires (opens in new tab)
North Carolina law defines white goods to include refrigerators and freezers, as well as ranges, water heaters, unit air conditioners and other large appliances. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-290: Definitions (solid waste management) (opens in new tab)
Washing machines and clothes dryers are white goods under North Carolina law. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-290: Definitions (solid waste management) (opens in new tab)
White goods may not be disposed of in a landfill, incinerator or waste-to-energy facility. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.81: Management of discarded white goods; disposal fee prohibited (opens in new tab)
Every county must provide at least one collection site for discarded white goods. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.81: Management of discarded white goods; disposal fee prohibited (opens in new tab)
Counties must also arrange disposal of white goods and removal of CFC refrigerants from them. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.81: Management of discarded white goods; disposal fee prohibited (opens in new tab)
A local government or its contractor may not charge a disposal fee for white goods such as refrigerators and freezers. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.81: Management of discarded white goods; disposal fee prohibited (opens in new tab)
A local government or its contractor may not charge a disposal fee for white goods such as washers and dryers. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.81: Management of discarded white goods; disposal fee prohibited (opens in new tab)
A $3.00 white goods disposal tax applies to each new white good sold. Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-187.21: White goods disposal tax imposed (opens in new tab)
DEQ: the white goods program is funded by the $3.00 tax collected at retail and redistributed to counties. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: White Goods (opens in new tab)
72% of net white goods tax proceeds are distributed to counties per capita. Source: N.C. General Statutes 105-187.24: Use of white goods tax proceeds (opens in new tab)
Counties must spend their white goods tax share on managing discarded white goods. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.82: Use of white goods disposal tax proceeds by counties (opens in new tab)
DEQ no longer offers white goods grants to counties; counties still receive tax distributions. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: White Goods (opens in new tab)
Used lead-acid batteries may not be put in a landfill, incinerator or waste-to-energy facility. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.70: Landfilling and incineration of lead-acid batteries prohibited; delivery for recycling (opens in new tab)
Improper disposal of a lead-acid battery carries a civil penalty of up to $50 per battery. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.70: Landfilling and incineration of lead-acid batteries prohibited; delivery for recycling (opens in new tab)
From December 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries may not knowingly be put in a landfill in North Carolina. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)
From December 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries also may not be burned in a permitted incinerator. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)
DEQ: never put rechargeable batteries in trash or recycling carts; lithium-ion batteries can start fires in trucks and facilities. Source: NC DEQ: Lithium-Ion Batteries (battery drop-off) (opens in new tab)
Lithium-ion batteries should always go to a designated drop-off location. Source: NC DEQ: Lithium-Ion Batteries (battery drop-off) (opens in new tab)
DEQ tells residents to check with their city, town or county for battery drop-off sites, preparation rules and hours. Source: NC DEQ: Local Government Battery Collections (opens in new tab)
Mercury-containing fluorescent lights and thermostats may not knowingly be put in an unlined landfill, including unlined construction and demolition landfills. Source: N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab)
DEQ strongly encourages residents to recycle used fluorescent lights from their homes. Source: NC DEQ: Fluorescent Lights and Mercury Thermostats (opens in new tab)
Households are encouraged to recycle mercury thermostats; DEQ points to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation for options. Source: NC DEQ: Fluorescent Lights and Mercury Thermostats (opens in new tab)
For businesses and other non-household generators, mercury thermostats are regulated as universal waste. Source: NC DEQ: Fluorescent Lights and Mercury Thermostats (opens in new tab)
Many North Carolina counties have permanent household hazardous waste collection centers. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Counties, cities, school districts and other groups can get a free temporary permit to hold HHW collection events. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Permanent HHW facilities open anywhere from a few days a year to several days a week; check the local solid waste website for dates and hours. Source: NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab)
DEQ tells residents to check the local government solid waste website for HHW dates and hours. Source: NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab)
Many HHW centers and many auto parts retailers accept used oil. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DEQ notes that paint, thinners and glues make up more than a third of household hazardous waste in household garbage. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DEQ's HHW chart lists paint as flammable, with the disposal advice to let it air dry or mix it with litter, and suggests latex paint and buying only what you need. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Temporary HHW collections may route waste for reuse, such as donating paint to Habitat for Humanity. Source: NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
PaintCare's state list (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington) does not include North Carolina: there is no PaintCare program in North Carolina. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
PaintCare runs paint recycling programs only in states with paint stewardship laws. Source: PaintCare: Paint recycling and drop-off locations (state list) (opens in new tab)
The Mattress Recycling Council operates statewide only in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island; North Carolina has no state mattress recycling program. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)
MRC runs recycling programs only in states that have passed mattress recycling laws. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)
With no North Carolina mattress law, there is no MRC/Bye Bye Mattress program for mattresses or box springs in the state. Source: Mattress Recycling Council (opens in new tab)

Items we cover

Televisions Mattresses Box springs Cardboard Computers Couches Furniture Refrigerators and freezers Washers and dryers Microwaves Exercise equipment Paint Tires Batteries Scrap metal Other electronics