Businesses tend to generate more hazardous waste than households, and their wastes can be quite different from what a household would have. Because of this, businesses are not given the same "exemption" that residences enjoy. To state it bluntly, the same items that are OK at home to dispose of with your trash, are likely not OK for a business to dispose with their trash.
Mecklenburg County Full-Service Drop-Off Centers are permitted by the State to only accept hazardous materials from residential households. The centers
cannot accept hazardous waste generated by any business, school, management companies, or churches. If the material was not purchased and then used by a resident, it cannot be accepted at one of our Household Hazardous Waste Centers.
Examples of hazardous waste:
- Acids
- Paint thinners, stains, waxes
- Pool Chemicals
- Pesticides
- Automotive fluids, gasoline
- Rechargeable Batteries
- Fluorescent and CFL light bulbs
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Why do I need to handle these items differently?
First and foremost, it is the law. EPA and State regulations are specific and can leverage substantial penalties. The EPA guide Managing your Hazardous Waste, A Guide for Small Business is a tool designed to help businesses decide whether hazardous waste regulation are applicable to their operations; how to manage on-site hazardous waste; and how to arrange for proper disposal of various quantities of hazardous waste.
If your business generates a small quantity of hazardous waste (220 lbs. of hazardous waste and less than 2.2 lbs. of acute hazardous waste per month), you may qualify to participate in the Very Small Quantity Generator program (formerly known as CESQG).
Businesses will need to pre-register. To obtain a copy of ECOFlo's price list, click here 
. To obtain a copy of ECOFlo VSQG Registration Form, click here .
Mecklenburg County will hold a Business Hazardous Waste collection event on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. See flyer below for details:
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How to transport safely:
- Keep materials in original containers
- Tighten caps and lids
- Sort by type
- Pack in sturdy upright boxes
- Never smoke while handling hazardous items
-
NEVER MIX CHEMICALS
If you do not qualify, you will need to contact a disposal company to arrange for hazardous waste collection, such as:
ECOFlo: Phone: 1-800-888-7982
NCDEQ Recycling Market Directory
Mecklenburg County operates four staffed Full Service Drop-Off Centers that can accept nearly all materials that come from your home. For a list of approved items,
click here.