Maya Ellison
Recycling is a legal requirement in Charlotte, North Carolina, where throwing plastic bottles and other recyclable items into the trash is against the law. Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility, located 10 miles from UNC Charlotte, accepts glass, plastic, and aluminum containers for recycling. The state of North Carolina is home to over 60 companies that rely on recycled materials to create essential products, employing over 14,000 people and generating over $4 billion in annual sales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility |
| Distance from Charlotte, NC | 10 miles |
| Accepted items | Plastic bottles and containers, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, paper, paperboard, flattened cardboard, and cartons (milk, juice, and soup cartons) |
| Not accepted items | Plastic bags, bubble wrap, styrofoam, large plastic items (e.g., storage containers, kids' toys), plastic or metal coat hangers, furniture, mattresses, sheetrock/drywall, carpet, insulation, wood/lumber, shingles, bricks, cement, stucco, boats, cars, gasoline, tires, animal carcasses, empty gas containers, fireworks/flammable items, household hazardous waste |
| Website | deq.nc.gov |
| Phone number | (843) 720-7111 |
| Address proof | Government-issued photo ID, driver's license, passport, utility or tax bill |
| State law | Bans residents from throwing plastic bottles and aluminum cans into landfills |
| Fine for non-compliance | Up to $15,000 per day per violation for businesses |
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What You'll Learn
Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility
Mecklenburg County has a robust recycling program with multiple options for residents looking to recycle their waste properly. The county operates five self-service recycling centers that accept the same items that can be recycled through curbside cart recycling. These include plastic bottles and jugs with a pourable neck or spout that is smaller at the top than the base. It's important to note that plastic bags, flexible plastic wraps, films, and packaging should not be placed in the recycling cart as they cause operational and financial challenges for processing facilities.
The county also has four full-service drop-off centers that accept a wider range of materials, including recyclable materials, yard waste, bulky waste, electronic waste, and household hazardous waste. These centers are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and residents are asked to display a blue entry sticker, which can be purchased at the fee booths.
Additionally, Mecklenburg County is home to the Metrolina Recycling Center, also known as a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). This facility sorts all the single-stream recyclable materials collected from residential curbside programs, schools, and drop-off programs throughout the county and neighboring areas. However, it is important to note that the MRF is not a location for personal recycling drop-off.
For those living on the UNC Charlotte campus, the Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility is located about 10 miles away and accepts glass, plastic, and aluminum containers. By following the proper guidelines and utilizing the various drop-off centers and programs available, residents of Mecklenburg County can ensure that they are properly recycling their plastic waste and contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Greif Inc
Greif's Charlotte facility, located at 4915 Hovis Road, Charlotte, NC 28208, is one of many facilities leading the way in turning waste into valuable resources. Greif recycles corrugated fibre at this location, with the help of advanced machinery and expert staff. Bales of old corrugated cardboard are brought into the facility from grocery stores, big box stores, and other businesses. The Charlotte team sorts the cardboard, which is then sent through a baler that compacts it into large bales. These processed bales are shipped to paper mills to create new paper products.
Greif is committed to sustainability and reducing waste, as evidenced by their Charlotte facility's efforts to keep cardboard out of landfills and promote a circular economy. Their partnership with Centurion Container at 4330 Chesapeake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216, further demonstrates this commitment. Together, they work to recondition and reuse IBCs, creating a closed-loop system that benefits the environment.
Greif's recycling services extend beyond their Charlotte location. They operate 18 recycling facilities across the US, focusing primarily on paper and fibre recovery. Greif collects all forms of paper and select plastics in the US, with a global reach that includes metal and plastics recycling, emphasizing IBCs and steel drums. Their paper mills use nearly 2 million tons per year of recovered paper, including materials from residential recycling programs.
Greif's innovative industrial packaging solutions and recycling services make them a leader in sustainability, helping businesses and the environment by turning waste into valuable resources.
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Recycling drop-off sites
One option is to take your recyclables to the Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility, which accepts glass, plastic, and aluminum containers. This facility is located about 10 miles from UNC Charlotte. Another option for recycling paper products is Greif Inc. (formerly Caraustar), which accepts paper, printer paper, cereal boxes, junk mail, newspapers, and cardboard.
In addition to these facilities, there are also recycling drop-off sites located throughout the city. These sites are often un-manned and accept a variety of materials, including all paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, aluminum and steel cans, and glass. It's important to note that cardboard must be flattened, and packaging materials like styrofoam and bubble wrap are not accepted.
When recycling plastic and glass containers, bottles, and other containers, ensure they are completely empty of any food or residue. Rinse them out if necessary. Also, be mindful that certain plastic items are not accepted at recycling centers, such as plastic bags, plastic wrap, and large plastic items like storage containers or kids' toys.
By properly utilizing these recycling drop-off sites, you can do your part in complying with North Carolina's recycling laws, which ban the disposal of items like plastic bottles and aluminum cans in landfills.
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Illegal landfill items
In Charlotte, NC, it is illegal to throw certain items—including plastic bottles and aluminium cans—into landfills. Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility, located about 10 miles from UNC Charlotte, accepts glass, plastic, and aluminium containers for recycling.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has stated that state law bans residents from throwing aluminium cans and plastic bottles into the garbage. However, the specific consequences for breaking this law are unclear. DEQ spokesperson Katherine Lucas noted that while the "occasional disposal of small amounts of prohibited materials is likely to occur and is not deemed a violation," businesses found to be intentionally circumventing the statute could face significant fines of up to $15,000 per day per violation.
The DEQ website (deq.nc.gov) provides detailed information about proper recycling procedures and the full list of items banned from landfills in North Carolina. This information can be accessed by searching for "North Carolina Landfill Disposal Bans." Additionally, the Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility bales the collected recyclables and sends them to locations that use the materials for new products.
It is important to note that the Charlotte County Landfill referenced in some search results is in Charlotte County, Florida, and not in Charlotte, North Carolina. The landfill in Florida has been in operation since July 1975 and currently uses 110 acres of a 640-acre site for waste disposal, with the area projected to be in use until 2039.
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Wooden pallet recycling
Recycling plastic and other materials in Charlotte, NC, is not just a recommended practice but a legal requirement. North Carolina state law bans residents from throwing plastic bottles and aluminium cans into the garbage, and these must be recycled.
Wooden pallets are also banned from disposal in municipal solid waste landfills, as per the NC House Bill 1465, which came into effect on October 1, 2009. So, if you're looking for wooden pallet recycling in Charlotte, NC, there are several companies that can help.
Charlotte Pallets Plus
Charlotte Pallets Plus offers simple and sustainable pallet recycling services. They accept pallets for drop-off or provide a pickup service. They accept pallets of any dimension, grade, or type of wood. The company carefully inspects each pallet to determine its highest grade and best use, whether that's creating new shipping containers or different products.
NDR Pallet and Recycling
NDR Pallet and Recycling are wooden pallet experts, providing pallet removal and recycling services to Charlotte and the surrounding areas. They offer next-day orders and can provide factory-grade recycled A or B pallets or custom pallets. They have a local fleet of commercial trucks and can pick up and remove unwanted pallets.
NC Pallet Recycling
NC Pallet Recycling provides wooden pallet recycling services to all industry segments and businesses in North Carolina. They can pick up wooden pallets of any shape, size, condition, or number, ensuring businesses comply with North Carolina legislation.
Remember, recycling is vital to keeping materials out of landfills and supporting a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
You can recycle plastic at the Mecklenburg County Recycling Facility, located 10 miles from UNC Charlotte.
Plastic bottles and containers are accepted at recycling drop sites in Charlotte. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, styrofoam, and large plastic items are not accepted.
No, you can put all your recyclables in the same container. The recycling center will sort it for you. Just make sure that all containers are completely empty of food and trash.
Yes, it is illegal to throw plastic bottles into landfills in North Carolina. You can learn more about recycling laws in North Carolina by visiting deq.nc.gov.
