How Do I Dispose Of...

Automobiles

Veteran Car Donations accepts used working and non-working cars to aid veterans and their families.  It is a fairly simple process with free pickup. Visit the Veterans Car Donations website. 

Moore County does not accept cars at the Moore County Landfill.

Batteries

We accept lead-acid batteries such as those used for autos, boats, motorcycles, and lawnmowers at the Carthage/Hillcrest Collection Center at 5361 US Highway 15-501. 

We do not currently have a separate recycling program for regular batteries (A, AA, C, or D).  However, these batteries may be disposed of during a planned Household Hazardous Waste Event.

There are many drop-off retailers that collect batteries like: Staples and Lowes

Note: Alkaline batteries are permitted to be thrown away in household trash.  Rechargeable or lithium must be disposed of at a Hazardous Waste Event or at a retailer like Staples or Lowes Hardware.

Antifreeze

Disposing of used antifreeze and other automotive fluids (used motor oil, transmission, and brake fluids) in storm drains (sewers) or drainage ditches is harmful to our waterways.  Antifreeze, particularly the ethylene glycol type, when poured out or spilled on the ground can be highly toxic to animals and its sweet taste attracts them. Spent antifreeze may also contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and benzene.

These materials are not regularly collected at Moore County's Household Hazardous Waste facility. However, Moore County hosts an annual Household Hazardous Waste Event where these materials are accepted.  This event normally occurs the third Saturday in November of each year. 

Ballasts

Fluorescents and high-intensity discharge (HID) ballasts contain small capacitor that may contain PCB's, or a less hazardous chemical, DEPH.  Residents and businesses of Moore County can bring ballasts to the Eagle Springs Collection Center at 364 Eagle Springs Road

Batteries

We accept lead-acid batteries such as those used for autos, boats, motorcycles, and lawnmowers at the Carthage/Hillcrest Collection Center at 5361 US Highway 15-501. 

We do not currently have a separate recycling program for regular batteries (A, AA, C, or D).  However, these batteries may be disposed of during a planned Household Hazardous Waste Event.

There are many drop-off retailers that collect batteries like: Staples and Lowes

Note: Alkaline batteries are permitted to be thrown away in household trash.  Rechargeable or lithium must be disposed of at a Hazardous Waste Event or at a retailer like Staples or Lowes Hardware. 

Coleman Fuel

These items cannot be accepted at collection centers.  These items may be eligible for disposal at a specially advertised household hazardous waste event.  They can not be accepted at the permanent Household Hazardous Waste facility in Eagle Springs.

Propane and Helium Tanks

These items cannot be accepted at collection centers.  These items may be eligible for disposal at a specially advertised household hazardous waste event.  They cannot be accepted at the permeant Household Hazardous Waste facility in Eagle Springs.

Fire Extinguishers

Households may bring fire extinguishers to the annually advertised Household Hazardous Waste event, which normally takes place the third Saturday in November. These materials are not accepted at our permanent household waste facility in Eagle Springs.  Businesses should consider purchasing rechargeable and serviceable fire extinguishers instead of cheaper "disposable" fire extinguishers. While a fire extinguisher that is rechargeable costs more in the beginning, over time a quality rechargeable fire extinguisher white metal head will likely save you money.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Includes compact fluorescent (twirly) lights also known as CFL's, circular fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes and ballasts.  These lights may contain mercury, a hazardous material, through reduced mercury content fluorescent lamps are not available.  They typically have a green metal end cap.  

These items will be accepted at the annual household waste event that is normally held each November.

Businesses and institutions are required by law to recycle fluorescent lamps if they produce more than a certain amount per year.  For a list of companies that managed fluorescent lights and other mercury containing items, visit lists provided by the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach.

Gasoline

Moore County does not have a program to dispose of gasoline.  We encourage you to safely burn the gasoline off or use the remaining gas. Please check with permitting or legal authorities in your area—including the Moore County Fire Marshal.

Mercury Containing Materials

Common household items such as fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, old thermostats and thermometers can contain mercury. Residents and non-residential entities can bring these items to the annually scheduled Hazardous Household Waste Event that is normally held in November.  

Businesses that wish to properly dispose of materials can visit the Directory of Markets for Recycled Material, provided by the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach for a list of Certified Companies.

Oil

Residents can recycle used motor oil at the Carthage/Hillcrest Collection Center. No cooking oil, gasoline, antifreeze, solvents, parts cleaner or mixed gas in the oil container. 

Disposing of used motor oil and other automotive fluid in storm drains or drainages ditches is harmful to our waterways.  Storm drains do not drain into a water treatment plant.  They drain directly in our streams, lakes, and estuaries. Pouring oil in a sanitary sewer is not acceptable either as wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to handle motor oil and it clogs pipes along the way.

Used motor oil, by NC State Law, may not be thrown away with regular trash.  Disposing of used oil improperly is both an environmental and health hazard.  Used oil contains toxins and heavy metals and can contaminate surface water and groundwater.

Oil Filters

Residents can recycle used motor oil filters at the Carthage/Hillcrest Collection Center.  Businesses managing used oil filters must drain them and they must be recycled.  It is against NC State Law to landfill oil filters.

Paint and Paint Cans

Reduce your use! Remember to buy less toxic and non-aerosol paint.  Paints can contain chemicals such as solvents and metals that can damage the environment, especially our water supplies, and endanger human health if not disposed of properly.  Purchasing latex and low VOC paint is best.

Residents can bring items to Moore County's Household Hazardous Waste facility in Eagle Springs (Saturdays Only).  Businesses that wish to properly dispose of large quantities of paint should visit the Directory of Markets for Recycled Material, provided by the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach for a list of certified companies.

If you only have a small amount of latex paint to dispose of you can safely dry the paint out at home by removing the lid and allowing the contents to aerate.  Accelerate the drying process by stirring kitty litter or sand into the open pan of paint.  Once latex paint is thoroughly dried, residents can dispose of the cans, with the lids removed, in the regular trash.  Our attendants at the Moore County Sites will inspect paint cans for compliance.

Pesticides

Reduce the amount of hazardous waste you would use and try burying less toxic products. Contact the NC Cooperative Extension Service to find out how to rid of pests while keeping our environment clean. 

Household insecticides and pesticides are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Event in November.

Pharmaceuticals, Prescriptions

Moore County has many sites where prescription medication can be properly disposed of. Pill Drop boxes are located in the following locations:

Rick Rhyne Public Safety Building (Moore County Sheriff's Office), Aberdeen Police Department, Pinehurst Police Department, and Seven Lakes Prescription Shoppe.

Do not flush pills or any pharmaceuticals down the drain as they can disrupt waste treatment process.

Photographic Chemicals

Please do not pour photographic chemicals down the drain. It pollutes our drinking water and the environment.  Collect them and save them for safe disposal. These are not collected at the permeant Household Collection Facility at Eagle Springs. They may be collected at the annual Household Hazardous Waste Event that is normally held in November.

Syringes

There is no local program to recycle used syringes.  Dispose of used syringes in a certified "sharps" container or use a thick plastic puncture resident container such as a plastic peanut butter jar or laundry detergent bottle.  Do not use glass as it might break. Cap the used syringe, if possible, and drop the container in your regular trash.

Clothing

Clothing may be dropped off at any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers in the small blue bins located on each site.  Clothing may be donated to Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries, Sandhills Coalition, and other non-profits throughout Moore County.

Eyeglasses

Contact your local Lion's club.

Shoes

Donate to local organizations (See Clothing).

Asbestos

Asbestos, in any form, cannot be taken to the Collection Centers or Household Hazardous Waste facility.  Special provisions must be made with a private company for removal and would need to be disposed of properly.

Asphalt

Old Asphalt, mostly free of contamination, can be brought to an asphalt company for rebatching/recycling.

Brick, Cinder Block, Concrete, Rock

Brick, Cinder Block, Concrete and Rock can not be disposed of at the Collection Centers. 

Clean brick, cinder block, concrete, rock from a household or business must be brought to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Cabinets, Doors, Windows

We can accept small numbers of cabinets, doors, and windows from residents doing home construction projects themselves at any of Moore County Solid Waste Collection Centers. There should be no more than one pickup truck bed.

Large items and items from commercial businesses must be taken to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Carpet, Carpet Pads

Good, clean carpet can be donated at various thrift stores throughout Moore County.

Moore County residents can bring up to one truckload per day of old carpeting and carpet padding to any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.  Waste is accepted from residential customers only (no contract waste accepted). 

Commercial users may take large amounts of carpet to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Construction Waste

Visit the Moore County landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Drywall and Gypsum Wallboard

We can accept drywall/sheetrock from residents doing home construction projects themselves at any of Moore County's Solid Waste Collection Centers.  Large amounts must be taken to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Flooring - Vinyl, Laminate, Tile Wood

We can accept these materials from residents doing home construction projects themselves at any of Moore County's Solid Waste Collection Centers.  Large amounts must be taken to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way in Aberdeen.

Land Clearing Debris

Stumps, root balls, dirt, and debris derived from land clearing activity can be taken to the Moore County Landfill. Vegetative Waste (trunk and up) can be disposed of with yard waste at the landfill as well.

Cameras

Cameras and accessories Can Not be accepted in the Electronic Recycling program. They can be disposed of along with your household trash.

Cartridges

Copier, fax, laser, and toner cartridges can be recycled at retail centers like Best Buy and Staples.

Cell Phones

Recycle old cell phones and chargers at any of Moore County's Seven Collection Centers.  If possible, it is recommended to clean/wipe your hard drive before disposing of these types of electronics.

You can donate your cell phones locally to Domestic Violence Centers. Please contact Friend to Friend at  910-947-1703.

You can sell your cellphone online or trade it on location through your phone carrier's program.

Computer Equipment

North Carolina State law bans the landfilling of computers and televisions; therefore they must be recycled rather than disposed. Residents can bring used electronics to any of the Moore County Collection Centers located throughout the county to be recycled. No Commercial Equipment Accepted.

Smoke Detectors

There are two types of smoke detectors, Ionization detectors contain a small amount of americium-241- a radioactive element.  Some consider the radioactivity to be so low that it is harmless and can be disposed of in regular trash. Others believe that these detectors should be properly disposed of.   You can send the smoke detector back to its manufacture (name and address should be stamped inside unit ) or survey mail or UPS ground it to:

First Alert:

Radioactive Waste Disposal

780 McClure Road

Aurora, IL 60504-2495

Photoelectric detectors can be safely disposed of in the trash.  Be sure to remove the battery from detector before disposal.  See Batteries section for disposal of batteries.

Box Spring

Large items like chairs, tables, couch, mattresses, box springs, etc. are accepted at the Collection Centers in the Bulky Items containers. You will need to be able to unload it into a container. If you have a large load you will be asked to take directly to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way.

Car Seats

Car Seats have too much metal to be recycled with rigid plastics and too much plastic to be recycled with scrap metal. Public Health laws prevent selling them for reuse so they cannot be donated to local charities even if they are in good condition.  Please discard in your household trash.

Carpet/Carpet Pads

Good, clean carpet can be donated at various thrift stores throughout Moore County.

Moore County residents can bring up to one truckload per day of old carpeting and carpet padding to any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.  Waste is accepted from residential customers only (no contract waste accepted). 

Commercial users may take large amounts of carpet to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way

Mattresses

Municipal residents of Moore County should contact their town Public Works Department for details on curbside collection of "bulky items." Residents may also bring their mattresses to the Moore County Landfill and any of the seven Collection Centers.

Sports Equipment

Please consider donating to local charities or sports organizations.

Textiles

Please consider donating to local charities.

Glass

All glass bottles and jars can be recycled at any of Moore County's Collection Centers in bins designated "Glass Only." Glass cannot be recycled in the comingled recycling containers.   Generally, glass cannot be recycled in curbside recycling programs.

Do not recycle plate glass, mirrors, crockery, Pyrex or lab glass. These items contaminate the glass recycling process.   Please leave the lids off glass jars.

Grease, Fats and Oil

Once cooled, grease in pans or bowls should be wiped into the garbage. Small amounts of liquid waste should be disposed of in a container with a lid. Do not flush Grease, Fats and Oils down the drain. As the GFO cools, it collects in your pipes and drains and in the sewer. Over time, the buildup makes the passage of wastewater more difficult and will eventually cause a backup into your house or an overflow on the ground.

For more information visit the Wastewater Treatment page. 

Cooking Oil

Cooking Oil can be taken to any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers for disposal.  Do not flush these items down the drain as they can cause disruptions in wastewater treatment or cause sewage back up on your property.

Bags: Animal Food Bags/Chip Bags, Plastic Bags, etc.

Animal feed bags, chip bags, and other wrappers cannot be recycled in the Comingled container. They should be disposed of along with your household trash.

Plastic bags cannot be recycled in the Comingled Recycling container. They can be recycled through plastic film recycling programs, most commonly found at your local grocery store.  Plastic bags need to be clean and dry to be recycled at the grocery store.

Visit Plastic Film Recycling website to learn more about recycling and to find locations.

Through these programs you can also recycle plastic film that comes wrapped around toilet paper and paper towels, dry cleaning bags, air pillows, bubble wrap, etc.

Christmas light Strings

These items should be disposed of in household trash.  These items, often called "tanglers," can disrupt automated recycling machines and cause equipment failure by entangling with equipment.  Please do not place these items in recyclable bins or in curbside programs (where available).

Christmas Tree

Real Christmas tress can be accepted at the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leafe.  Municipal residents must check guidelines from local municipalities before placing curbside. 

Artificial Christmas trees can be recycled in the scrap metal container at any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.

Compact Discs, Computer Discs, DVDs and Audio/Video Tapes

Reuse is better than recycling! Many music stores will purchase used CDs and DVDs.  Otherwise, these items should be disposed of as household trash, as our recycling processing facilities do not recycle these types of plastics.

Cookware and Dishes

Please consider donating to a local charity or thrift shop. Cookware and dishes cannot be recycled in the glass containers at the Moore County Collection Centers (or in curbside recycling programs).  They must be disposed of in household trash.

Cords and Cables

These may not be placed in recyclable containers in electronics recycling.  They should be disposed of along with your household trash.

Hose, Rope and Other Similar Items

These items cannot be recycled in the comingled recycling container.  They will get tangled in the machines that are processing the recyclables.  They should be disposed of along with your household trash.

Pizza Boxes

We discourage recycling of pizza boxes at Moore County Collection Centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available). These materials almost always have food waste, plastic bits, or other materials included with the boxes. When in doubt, throw it out!

Aerosol Cans

Aerosol spray may not be placed in comingled recycling at Moore County Collection Centers or in your community s curbside recycling program (where available).

Aerosol cans should be disposed of at the Eagle Springs Collection Center located at 364 Eagle Springs Road, Saturdays only.

Aluminum Cans

NC State law encourages recycling of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.  They must be recycled! Recycle aluminum cans at the comingled recycling bin at the Moore County Collection Centers or in your community's curbside recycling program (where available).

Aluminum Foil, Pans, Pie Tins

These items may not be placed in commingled recycling at Moore County Collection Centers or in your community's curbside recycling program (where available).

These items should be disposed of as household trash.  These items often contain food waste and can damage automated recycling processing machinery. 

Aluminum Scrap and Siding

All types of clean metal must be recycled in Moore County.  Residential customers can drop metal off up to 1/2 of a truck load of scrap metal (full truck bed if not tightly packed) for free at any of the seven Moore County Collection Centers. 

Residential Customers with large amounts of metal and Moore County Commercial entities may dispose of metal at the Moore County Landfill located at 456 Turning Leaf Way at no charge. Painted metal is okay.

Appliances in Working Condition

Household appliances can be brought to any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.

Other agencies might be interested in used, but working appliances, in Moore County.  These include

Habitat for Humanity

Goodwill Industries

Sandhills Coalition

Appliances in Non-Working Condition

Residents can bring up to two large appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators to any of Moore County's Collection Centers for recycling.  Smaller, non-working appliances can be recycled with scrap metal.  Businesses may take large appliances to the landfill for recycling.  There is no cost or limit to the number of appliances recycled at the Moore County Landfill.

Coat Hangers

Thrift stores and tailor shops will often accept hangers of all types so long as they are in usable condition.  Bent or broken wire hangers may be recycled with scrap metal at Solid Waste Collection Centers.  Opaque polypropylene plastic hangers can NOT be recycled in Moore County and should be disposed of in household trash.

Drums and Barrels

If it is from a household, metal drums/barrels must be cut in half and can be placed in the Scrap Metal container at any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.

Plastic drums/barrels must be cut in half but cannot be recycled. They can go in with your household trash. Ask the attendant where to dispose of it.

Oil Tanks

If they are rinsed and cut in half, Oil Tanks can be taken to the Moore County Landfill at no charge.  They will be recycled with Scrap Metal.

Metal/Scrap Metal

Clean metal should be recycled in Moore County.  Residents can recycle up to1/2 pick-up truckload of scrap metal per visit at each of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.   Residents and businesses can bring unlimited quantities for free to the Moore County Landfill on 456 Turning Leaf Way.

Weapons and Ammunition

These items cannot be accepted at Moore County's Collection Centers or at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at Eagle Springs.  Contact the local Sheriff's Office, but, it may be best to simply find someone who can use the ammunition safely.

Whitegoods

Residents can bring up to two large appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators to any of Moore County seven Solid Waste Collection Centers for recycling.  Residents and businesses can bring large appliances to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf way at no cost. 

Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes

Mobile Homes are accepted at the Moore County Landfill.  Call ahead to make a delivery appointment.  Fees are found in the fee schedule.  If you are removing a home from a Moore County property, you will need to get a mobile home moving permit from the Moore County Tax Department. (If not, you may not get an evaluation adjustment).

Books

Moore County accepts all books (hard cover and soft cover) at all its Collection Center Locations in a small blue bin (the bins also collect clothing and shoes).  

Soft Cover paperback books can also be recycled with curbside recycling programs (where available).  Hardcover books can be recycled in curbside programs if the covers are removed.  If the Moore County Collection Center's book bins are full, they can be recycled with paper goods in the comingled recycling compactors.

The Moore County Library might also be interested in some gently used books.

Textbooks:  There are online textbook collection companies that accept used textbooks.

Compostable or Plant-Based Containers

Compostable containers cannot be recycled in the comingled recycling container. Compostable containers are made of plant-based materials. They can be composted through a commercial composting facility.  Otherwise, they should be disposed of along with your household trash.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated Cardboard may be recycled at any of Moore County's seven Collection centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available). Cardboard should be broken down. Pizza boxes, as a general rule, should not be recycled because they almost always have food waste.  Pizza boxes should be disposed of in household trash.

Egg Cartons

Paper Cartons can be recycled with all other clean dry paper that tears at all Seven Moore County Collection Center locations. They can also be placed in curbside recycling programs (where available).  Styrofoam egg cartons, as well as other food service Styrofoam must be disposed of as household trash. Remember, if there is food waste on any item (even paper egg cartons) they must be disposed of in your household trash.

Greeting Cards

Reuse cards by cutting off the front and mailing as a post card.  Greeting Cards can be recycled with "commingled recycling" at any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers.  They are also acceptable at curbside recycling programs (where available).  If greeting cards have a battery powered audible message, please remove the battery, and recycle separately.

Junk Mail

Junk Mail and other mixed paper can be recycled with all clean, dry paper that tears at any of Moore County's Seven Collection Centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available). 

One way to save trees is to get off mailing lists and preventing unsolicited mail from coming to you.  Visit the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality website for more information. 

 Cut the Credit Card Solicitations.  Consumer reporting agencies maintain mailing lists that are often used by credit card and insurance company's to send out junk mail.  The good news is that there is a single number to get your name and address removed from the mailing lists circulated by all three credit reporting agencies.  Please call. 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit the Opt Out website here. 

Prevent Marketers from passing your name around-  Any time you order a product by mail, enter a contest, subscribe to a magazine, send in a warranty card, or otherwise give your name and address to a company or organization, you may be placed on a mailing list.  The company or organization may then rent, sell, or grade the list with your name on it.  To limit your exposure, write "Please do not rent or sell my name "or "No mailing lists" next to your name.

Ask Companies to Stop Sending Catalogs.  IF you received unwanted catalogs or other mail from specific sources, call the (often toll-free) customer service numbers of the organization or business.  Request that your name be removed from their mailing lists.  Other options are to make your request via email to the company's website, or via letter or postcard.  Since the mailing label will help the company identify how you are listed in its files, have the label handy when you call, or attach the label to the postcard if you make a written request.  Sign and date your request.

Opt out of Junk Mail.  There are several online services you can use to remove your name form the catalog and credit card lists and other lists.

 The Center for a New American Dream also has tips for reducing junk mail and avoiding other types of advertising.

Magazines

Recycle glossy magazines with all other clean dry paper that tears at any of Moore County's seven Collection Sites and in curbside recycling programs (where available).   Use the website Free My Mailbox to be removed from unwanted delivery lists for mass mailings, catalogs, and phone books.

Mixed Paper

Mixed paper, such as junk mail, school and office paper, notebooks (bindings removed), cereal boxes (liner removed), flat-topped (aseptic) cartons and gable-topped cartons, 6 and 12-pack boxes, and other paper packaging can be recycled in comingled recycling bins at all seven of Moore County's Collection Centers.  They may also be placed in curbside recycling programs (where available).

No paper drink cups, tissue paper, shredded paper, or paper towels, please.

Newspaper and Inserts

Recycle newspapers and inserts with all paper at any of Moore County's seven Collection Centers and at curbside recycling programs (where available). Please remove and discard any plastic bag overwrap.  Plastic bags can be recycled at local grocery stores but we do not want plastic bags in the County's recycling program.

Packaging

Paper packaging that is non-metallic and not coated with wax or plastic can be recycled with comingled recycling at each of Moore County's seven Collection Centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available).

Clear Number 1 rigid plastic formed packaging, also known as clamshell packaging is not recyclable.  Please discard in your regular trash.

Styrofoam (clean and dry packing peanuts, flat sheets, and block, along with bubble wrap and plastic pillow packs are not recyclable in Moore County.

Phonebooks

Recycle phone books with all other mixed paper in comingled recycling bins at the Moore County Collection Centers. They are also accepted in curbside recycling programs (where available).

Pizza Boxes

We discourage recycling of pizza boxes at Moore County Collection Centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available). These materials almost always have food waste, plastic bits, or other materials included with the boxes. When in doubt, throw it out!

Shredded Paper

Shredded Paper cannot be recycled because it can get caught in the recycling machinery and cause malfunctions or slow production.  Nevertheless, some sensitive material can be shredded and disposed of in household trash.  Keep on the lookout for community shredding events throughout Moore County.

Textbooks

Bookstores and thrift stores are not interested in taking used textbooks.  There are online textbook collection companies that accept used textbooks.

Bubble Wrap, Styrofoam Peanuts, Plastic Air Pillows

These items may not be placed in comingled recycling at Moore County Collection Centers or in your community's curbside recycling program (where available).

These items should be disposed of as household trash. 

Caps and Lids

Plastic caps from bottles can be recycled with plastic bottles.  Leave your cap on! There is no need to squash the bottle flat. 

These items can be placed in the comingled recycling bins at all seven Moore County Collection Centers and in curbside recycling programs (where available).

If the cap is not attached to a bottle, it will probably get lost-drop out of the bin or truck and end up as litter, or fall through sorting screens at recycling material processing facilities before it can be captured and baled to go to a re-manufacturer. Many of the automated recycling machines scan for 3D images and caps to ensure that plastic bottles are identified as recyclable materials. 

Caps for glass materials should be removed.  Glass is recycled at Moore County Collection Centers in a separate "Glass Only" bin.

Cups, Tubs and Buckets

Cups, Tubs, and Buckets are likely not eligible for recycling by Moore County's recycling material processor. "Solo" cubs commonly used for social gatherings are not recyclable.  When it comes to plastic — don't pay attention to the numbers!  Just look at the shape and ask, "Is it a plastic bottle, jug, or jar". These "rigid" plastics should be disposed of as household trash.  When in doubt, throw it out!

Flowerpots

Plastic Flowerpots cannot be recycled in the Comingled Recycling container. Ceramic Flowerpots cannot be recycled in the glass containers.

They should be disposed of along with your household trash.

Grocery Bags

Minimize paper and plastic bags by using cloth bags when you shop.  If you forget your bag, reuse the bag you get from the store over and over.  There is virtually no environmental benefit of choosing paper over plastic. The environmentally conscious answer to "Paper or Plastic?" is "Neither!"

If you do choose paper or plastic, they can both be recycled, but in different places.

Paper bags can be recycled at any of Moore County's Seven Collection Centers, or in curbside recycling programs (where available).

Plastic bags and other plastic film can be recycled at most local grocery stores, but they must be clean and dry.  Plastic bags include newspaper bags, bread bags, and dry-cleaner bags, plastic film includes drink and toilet tissue overwrap. 

Do not try to recycle plastic bags in any of Moore County's recycling programs. Plastic bags get caught in recycling equipment and can break or slow down operations.  Bring to grocery stores instead.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags and other plastic film can be recycled at most local grocery stores, but they must be clean and dry.  Plastic bags included in newspaper bags, bread bags, and dry-cleaner bags. Plastic film includes drink and toilet tissue overwrap.

Do not try to recycle plastic bags in any of Moore County's recycling programs (or in an available curbside recycling program).  These materials get caught in recycling equipment and can break down or slow down operations.

Plastic Bottles/Containers

The only plastic we accept is plastic bottles, jugs, and jars!

When it comes to plastic-- don't pay attention to the numbers!  Just look at the shape and ask, "Is it a plastic bottle, jug, or jar". NC State Law prohibits landfilling of aluminum cans and plastic bottles. 

They must be recycled!  Plastic bottles, jugs, and jars can be recycled in comingled bins at all seven Moore County Collection Centers and in curbside recycling program (where available).  It is not necessary to squash plastic bottles, and caps should remain on plastic bottles.

Rigid plastics, such as toys and totes, yogurt cartons, margarine tubs, kitty litter buckets, stadium cups should be disposed of in household trash.  They are not recyclable in Moore County.

Some of the confusion about plastics recycling stems from the three chasing arrow symbols, along with a number, and the series of letters found on almost all plastic products.  Many people think that this symbol on plastics means that an item is recyclable, but that is not always the case.  The symbol used on plastic products along with the numbers is know as the "resin identification code."  It is a plastic industry trademark and represents the type of resin that was used to make a plastic item, not whether it is recyclable or not.

Recycling markets, that is, the companies that collect and sell recyclable commodities, determine what can be recycled. The resin identification code is therefore quote confusing because it is found on almost ALL plastics regardless of recyclability.  There are only seven basic resin codes used to define all the types of plastics that make up the hundreds of plastic things that we find in our lives.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam - clean and dry packing peanuts, flat sheets, and block), along with bubble wrap and plastic pillow packs are not recyclable in Moore County. 

Bicycle Tires

Recycle automotive tires at the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way.  Residents may bring up to 5 tires for disposal, at no cost, per day. Additional tires may incur a charge.

Tires

Residents can bring up to 5 automotive tires per day to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way. Tires from local businesses can also be brought to the landfill.  Free disposal for businesses must comply with state certification guidelines. There is a charge for uncertified tires and tires that have been burned, buried, or shredded.

Pallets

Pallets are considered clean wood waste" and can be recycled. According to NC State Law they are banned from MSW landfills in North Carolina but may be accepted at Construction Waste landfills. 

Residents can bring pallets and other clean wood waste (wood that has not been painted or treated) to the Moore County Landfill on 456 Turning Leaf way.

Wood Waste

Clean Wood (wood that has not been painted or treated), including pallets and plywood, should be recycled. These materials must be taken to the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way.

Yard Waste

Compost at home and make your own organic fertilizer to enhance gardens and landscapes! If you are a municipal resident, please reach out to your town or village to inquire about rules for curbside pickup.  Moore County accepts yard waste at the Moore County Landfill at 456 Turning Leaf Way and is subject to fees determine by the fee schedule.