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Accepted Materials & Disposal
Recycling & Proper Disposal of Waste in Pitt County
Help reduce contamination, protect the environment, and keep waste management cost-effective for our community. Use the guides below to learn what belongs in Recycle All Together bins, which items should never go in recycling containers, which materials require special disposal methods, and which items are accepted only at the transfer station.
- Recycle All Together Items
- Other Accepted Materials
- Special Materials & Commercial Waste
- Non-Accepted Items
Items Accepted in Mixed Recycling
Help keep recycling effective by making sure all items are clean, dry, and loose, never bagged. A few simple steps keep materials reusable and reduce the chance of contamination.
Accepted at all collection locations.
| Material | Examples |
|---|---|
| Metal Cans | Aluminum and steel cans (empty and rinsed) |
| Paper & Cardboard | Newspapers, magazines, office paper, paper board, and flattened cardboard boxes |
| Plastic Bottles & Jugs | #1 PET, #2 HDPE, and #5 PP plastics such as water bottles, milk jugs, and yogurt containers (rinsed, caps on) |
Keep Recycling Clean & Avoid Contaminants
Contaminated recycling creates extra work, increases costs, and can send entire loads to the landfill. To keep the program efficient, recycle only accepted items and make sure they are clean, dry, and loose, never bagged. The most common contaminants include plastic bags, food-soiled containers, and bagged recyclables.
Do Not Place in Mixed Recycling:
Aerosol cans, batteries, ceramics, clothing or textiles, diapers, electronics, glass, hazardous waste, medical waste or sharps, plastic bags and wrap, scrap metal, Styrofoam, tanglers such as cords or hoses, and wood.
Additional Materials Accepted Separately
These materials must be placed in their designated disposal areas and kept separate from mixed recycling. They cannot be placed in recycling containers. Accepted at all collection locations
Please check with a site attendant for details or restrictions.
| Material | Examples |
|---|---|
| Appliances | Refrigerators, washing machines, and similar items |
| Bulk Items | Furniture, mattresses, and chairs |
| Car Batteries | Accepted separately at Convenience Sites and the Transfer Station |
| Chemical Jugs | Accepted at Ayden-Grifton, Bethel, Falkland, Farmville and Pactolus |
| Electronics | Computers, televisions, radios, and related equipment |
| Eyeglasses | Prescription only |
| Glass | Bottles and jars (place in glass-only containers, not recycling bins) |
| Household Waste | General trash and bagged waste |
| Textiles | Clothing, shoes, linens, and prescription eyeglasses |
| Used Cooking & Motor Oil | Accepted separately at Convenience Sites and the Transfer Station |
| Yard Waste | Leaves, pine straw, grass clippings, brush, and small tree limbs |
Transfer Station Only Special Materials:
All commercial and business waste must be taken to the Transfer Station.
These materials are only accepted at the Transfer Station and must be kept separate from mixed recycling or regular residential household waste.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Thermostats (which contain mercury), antifreeze, pesticides, household cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, solvents, paints, and similar materials cannot be placed in regular trash. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events are held at the Transfer Station. Between events, store HHW items safely until the next scheduled collection.
Preventing paint waste is best for you, the waste facilities, and the environment. When purchasing paint, try to buy only what you need, one gallon typically covers 250–350 sq. ft. Follow these tips to safely manage leftover paint and reduce disposal needs:
- Use it up: Mix small amounts with other colors, use as a primer, save for touch-ups, or donate unused paint.
- Dry it out: Liquid paint cannot be accepted. Mix with kitty litter or another absorbent material to harden before disposal.
Remodeling, Construction & Demolition (C&D) Materials
Residents and contractors must bring these materials to the Transfer Station. They are not accepted at regular residential collection sites. Disposal fees vary depending on whether the load is mixed or separated into clean loads, such as shingles separated from concrete, brick, pallets, wood, or other construction debris.
Tires
Rims must be removed before disposal and can be discarded separately. Residents may bring up to five tires for free disposal without a certification form. A Scrap Tire Certification Form is required for more than five tires or for any tires from commercial businesses, and these must be managed by licensed tire haulers.
Review the Scrap Tire Certification Form Now
Special Materials Requiring Separate Disposal
Some items cannot be handled through standard collection or recycling programs and must be taken to special drop-off sites or facilities. Use the guidelines below to dispose of these materials properly.
Large Tree Branches, Stumps, Roots, and Land-Clearing Debris
County sites only accept small yard waste such as brush and small branches. All limbs must be 24 inches or smaller in diameter and no longer than 6 feet. Dirt, stumps, and roots are not allowed. Loads must be free of trash, and a fee will be charged for contaminated loads. Large stumps, roots, or land-clearing debris must be taken to a private land-clearing debris site or an approved composting facility.
Medical & Infectious Waste
Medical waste from healthcare providers must be managed by licensed contractors and is not accepted at county facilities. Small household sharps (needles) can be sealed in a rigid plastic container with a secure lid and placed in household trash. Do not place sharps in recycling bins.
Oyster Shells
Oyster shells are banned from landfills in North Carolina and cannot go in regular collection or recycling bins. They must be taken to a designated recycling site through the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Recycle for Reefs program.
Find a Drop-Off Site and Learn More Now
Smaller Equipment Guidelines
Items containing fuel or oil must be completely drained and dry before drop-off.
- Lawnmowers & Outdoor Equipment: Accepted as scrap metal only after all fluids are drained and batteries removed. Drain gasoline, oil, and antifreeze; remove batteries and propane cylinders; allow engines to cool; and secure loose parts before drop-off.
- Fluids & Batteries: Considered hazardous. Take used motor oil and automotive batteries to approved drop-off locations. Do not place in trash or recycling.
- Tires & Rims: Follow rules in the Tires section. Rims must be removed before disposal.