​What Can and Can't I Recycle Curbside in Mecklenburg County?

While Mecklenburg County has a robust recycling program, there are still things you should NEVER put in your CURBSIDE recycling cart .  These non-recyclable items, listed at the bottom of this page, are accepted at any of our FULL-SERVICE DROP-OFF CENTERS  as waste.  For your CURBSIDE recycling cart, just the listed acceptable items please!  

We strive to recycle many items; however we do not accept everything that displays the recycle symbol. Always refer to the acceptable list for item types.

Remember, When in Doubt, Leave it Out!

DO NOT PLACE THESE ITEMS IN CURBSIDE AND COUNTY-OWNED RECYCLE BINS:

• No Plastic Bags, No Plastic Wrap, or Plastic Film please resist the urge...  (take to stores such as Harris Teeter or Walmart)
  
• Do not put your recycled items in a plastic bag, we simply cannot recycle the bagged items.  
  
• No Ceramics or glassware such as Pyrex, flower vases, picture frames etc. -  (if in good condition, donate. if broken, trash can)
  
• No Pots & Pans
  
• No Glassware (same as ceramics)
  
• No Paper Plates, Diapers, Cat Litter, Aluminum Cooking Pans, Napkins (trash can)
  
• Do not put Batteries in a recycling cart (take to a full service recycling center)
  
• No Light Bulbs (fluorescents and CFL go to Full Service Recycling Center. All other go to trash can.)
  
• No Wire or Plastic Hangers (back to the cleaners or donate to a recycling clothing store, such as Goodwill)
  
• No Clamshells or Styrofoam products  (trash can)
  
• No Plastic Food Trays or Paper/Styrofoam/Plastic Cups (trash can)
  
• No Shredded paper (trash can) - The shredded paper falls through the screening equipment and contaminates the glass we collect - some stores may accept shredded paper
• No Hardback books.   Even if you remove the hard cover, the spine of the book does not allow the separation equipment to accommodate the paper.  

• Our Compost Central location at 140 Valleydale Drive has a specific bins where we collect books for recycling.