Rethink how you dispose of that empty aerosol can. And that orange juice carton. And that broken plastic toy. Beginning next month, recycling as we know it in Mecklenburg County is
changing - for the better.
Starting July 1, you can recycle more items than ever. The expanded
list of recyclable materials includes plastic bottles and jugs,
margarine and yogurt containers, buckets, milk and juice cartons, and
hair spray and deodorant cans. These items are in addition to those
you have traditionally recycled: cardboard, soda cans and bottles,
newspaper, etc.
Some items are still not recyclable in your curbside containers, and
must go in your trash bin, including pizza boxes, takeout containers,
paper plates, and bottle caps. Light bulbs, wire hangers, batteries
and many other materials may be recycled at any of the County's four
staffed recycling centers. To find a center near you, call 311 or
visit wipeoutwaste.com
As a part of this change, communities in Mecklenburg County are
altering the way they collect recyclables. The City of Charlotte – and
towns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Pineville – will now collect
materials in 96-gallon roll carts. The towns of Matthews, Mint Hill
and Davidson will provide additional bins to residents.
All of the municipalities will collect the same recyclables in one
container, so no sorting is necessary. For specific information about
recycling in your area, collection times, drop-off centers, and more,
visit wipeoutwaste.com or contact your city or town directly. Visit
the City of Charlotte's Recycle It! site for more City-related
information.
NEW! What you CAN recycle:
- Newspaper
- Junk mail
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Plastic bottles and jugs (except #6 plastic)
- Wide-mouth plastic containers
- Glass bottles and jars
- Cereal and food boxes
- Milk and juice cartons (INCLUDES juice boxes)
- Rigid plastics (toys, buckets, pet housing)
- Empty aerosol cans
- Aluminum, metal food cans
- Paperback books
- Miscellaneous paper (white and colored, computer, copy, fax, legal
pads, file folders, envelopes, sticky notes, index and business cards,
blueprints, brochures, stapled paper, and paper with paperclips)
What you CANNOT recycle:
- Pizza boxes
- Shredded paper
- Glassware
- Wire hangers
- Bottle caps or lids
- Plastic food trays or cups
- Paper plates, napkins or paper towels
- Takeout food containers
- Plastic bags
- Ceramics
- Pots and pans
- Styrofoam
- Pencil shavings
- Candy or gum wrappers
- Hardbound books
- Rubber bands
