Are you recycling wrong? Here’s how to know and how to do it right in Charlotte

Recycling can be beneficial for the community, economy, and environment if it’s done correctly.

Though Mecklenburg County does not collect curbside trash or recycling like cities and towns like Charlotte, the county has four full-service drop-off centers and five self-service recycling centers residents can take items to.

Knowing where to recycle is one thing, but understanding what to dispose of is just as important, too.

This is what can be recycled

• Empty aerosol cans

• Aluminum and metal cans

• Flattened cardboard

• Cereal boxes

• Glass bottles and jars

• Magazines and phone books

• Milk and juice cartons

• Paper, junk mail and newspapers

• Pizza boxes

• Plastic bottles and jugs (with the cap on)

• Spiral paper cans

Don’t put these items in recycling bins

• Shredded paper

• Paper plates

• Plastic food trays and cups

• Takeout food containers

• Styrofoam

• Napkins

• Plastic cups and plasticware

• Diapers

• Hoses

What can be taken to full-service drop-off centers?

The drop-off centers accept anything that can be recycled in your curbside container, along with the following items:

• Appliances

• Yard trimmings

• Computer equipment

• Electronics

• Household hazardous waste

• Fluorescent light bulbs

• Car tires and bike tires

• Used motor and cooking oils

Where to recycling

The full-service drop-off centers are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Following Mecklenburg County’s recycling program, the City of Charlotte and the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville advise residents to follow these recycling guidelines:

Full-service recycling centers

Compost Central and Recycling Center: 140 Valleydale Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Foxhole Recycling and Yard Waste Center: 17131 Lancaster Hwy, Charlotte, NC 28277

Hickory Grove Recycling and Yard Waste Center: 8007 Pence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215

North Mecklenburg Recycling and Yard Waste Center: N, 12300 Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Self-service recycling centers

Innovation Barn Self-Service Recycling Center: 932 Seigle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

McAlpine Creek Park Recycling Center: 8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212

Park Road Park Self-Service Recycling Center: 6220 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Reedy Creek Park Self-Service Recycling Center: 2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213

William R. Davie Self Service Recycling Center: 4635 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226

This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 6:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription