Ask A Meck County Expert 

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste experts receive hundreds of residential waste disposal and recycling questions weekly. To educate and empower Natural Awakenings readers, their experts provide updates and answer some of the most frequently asked questions in a bi-monthly column.

Recycle a Good Time This Summer

Besides the six items you can recycle curbside, here are some seasonal items you can bring to any Mecklenburg County full-service recycling center all year long. 

Foam Coolers: Solid Waste's enhanced recycling program accepts white rigid foam such as foam coolers, clean foam cups, and food containers without stickers and plastic. These items should be placed in the Foam-a-Saurus Rex bin, where staff sort and prepare them for the densifier machine. The recycled foam is then transformed into products like picture frames, decorative moldings, and clothes hangers.

Swimwear: When it's time to discard old swimsuits, instead of throwing them away, recycle them. Place swimwear in the big blue bins. Donated items are repurposed or broken down for new fabrics. Textile recycling also includes towels, shoes, hats, and accessories—essentially, anything wearable.

Wet Ashes and Grease: Summer cookouts are enjoyable, but proper disposal of hot coals and ashes is crucial to prevent fires. Never put ashes in your trash or recycling. Instead:

• Thoroughly soak ashes in water.
• Let coals or ashes sit for at least 48 hours if not soaked.
• Bring ashes to a full-service recycling center and inform the staff; special metal barrels are available for disposal.

Additionally, avoid pouring grease down the sink to prevent clogs and water system contamination. Collect large amounts of grease and oils in containers and bring them to full-service centers, where you can find big yellow oil drums for disposal.

Lawn Equipment: Switching to electric lawn equipment can reduce air pollution. To dispose of old lawnmowers, bring them to a full-service center. First, drain the oil and gas and place them in the household hazardous waste area. The lawnmower should go in the special bulky metal area.

Full-service centers also offer yard waste disposal. Collected yard waste is turned into mulch and compost, which are available for purchase or can be picked up in bulk for free.

Pool Chemicals: Pool chemicals are considered household hazardous waste and cannot be disposed of with regular trash. Residents can dispose of them for free at any full-service recycling center. Inform the on-site staff that you have hazardous waste, and they will handle the disposal.

What About Businesses?: Mecklenburg County Solid Waste & Recycling does not accept business hazardous material due to Federal and State laws. The County holds quarterly events to help small businesses dispose of their waste at a reduced fee. Businesses can also contact the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for disposal options.

If you have program questions about recycling, waste diversion or anything else related to waste, please visit WipeOutWaste.com. To submit a waste disposal and recycling question, email [email protected]. Jeff Smithberger, Director of Solid Waste, answers the top seven residential recycling questions at https://tinyurl.com/MeckRecyleRightFAQs.

Mecklenburg Solid Waste - 2145 Suttle Ave, Charlotte, NC

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