Recycling and Energy

Robeson County Solid Waste offers accessibility to all the residents of Robeson County through our 20 collection sites and landfill. Recycling is a process in which valuable materials flow from collection to an end user, who makes the materials into new product. Many of these items are banned from the landfill per NC General Statues and so we offer the opportunity to recycle these items. Click here to see a list of Banned items.

There are 2 types of recycling opportunities that we provide: single stream and source separation. Single stream recycling (also referred to as commingled recycling) is a system where all recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, etc) are placed in the same container and sorted at a later time. Source separation refers to the separation of recyclables with like items at collection.

Single Stream recycling at this time is only offered at our Pecan Grove site. The compactor at this site was purchased through a grant awarded by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The compactor accepts the following items:

Due to costs associated with recycling, we only offer source-separated recycling. Source separation refers to the separation of recyclables with like items at collection.

Source Separated recycling is offered at our other 19 sites. Upon entrance to the site, customers are directed to the appropriate container for collection. Items accepted for recycling at these sites include:

Plastics: The plastics accepted in the source separated containers at this time are #1 and #2. How can you tell if they meet this requirement?
Normally on the bottom or side of the bottle, you will notice the number inside of a triangle.

For polyethylene terephthalate, the letters "PETE" and the number 1.
For high density polyethylene, the letters "HDPE" and the number 2.
For vinyl, the letter "V" and the number 3.
For low density polyethylene, the letters "LDPE" and the number 4.
For polypropylene, the letters "PP" and the number 5.
For polystyrene, the letters "PS" and the number 6.
For any other, the letters "OTHER" and the number 7.

At the Robeson County Solid Waste collection sites we accept 1 and 2 bottles in a container marked with a sign that states Plastic Bottles 1 & 2.

So what happens when you recycle plastic?

And what can a plastic bottle become? Click here to find out. 

The collection sites do not accept or recycle plastic bags as they are banned from the processor or materials recovery facility. Please take plastic bags to your local grocery store for recycling opportunities.

Metals: Metal recycling is a very common practice. Residents can bring their metal products (copper, steel, aluminum, brass, iron and wires) to any of the collection sites or can take their metal products directly to the local recycler for Robeson County, Martin Metals located at 5044 west, US-74, Lumberton, NC 28360.

How is metal recycled? Click here to find out.

Electronic or E-Waste: Electronics recycling is relatively new to the recycling world. “N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.130 through 130A-309.141 "Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management" establishes an electronics recycling program for the State of North Carolina with shared responsibility between computer manufacturers, television manufacturers, retailers, local and state government, and consumers with the general goal of fostering a statewide recycling infrastructure for these materials. In conjunction with this program, the law bans televisions, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, and computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice from disposal in landfills.” read more

Robeson County Solid Waste accepts these items at all of our collection sites and from there they are taken to a recycler that accepts these products. The product is either broken down for parts and sold into the market or refurbished by the recycler and sold intact to a different market. All E-Waste recyclers in North Carolina are required to register with the NC Department of Environmental Quality.

What do we accept?

1. Computers Printers
   
2. Televisions Scanners
   
3. Monitors Computer accessories such as keyboards and mice

Bulbs and Batteries:

Light bulbs and Thermostats:
Fluorescent Light bulbs and thermostats that contain mercury are accepted at the collection sites these items are banned from the landfill and must be recycled. From the collection sites they are taken back to a centralized location for packaging and shipping for recycling.

Batteries:
Did you know that lead acid batteries are not accepted at landfills in North Carolina?
“As of 1991 it became illegal in North Carolina to dispose of a lead-acid battery in a landfill, incinerator or any waste-to-energy facility. Retailers of lead-acid batteries are required by law to accept batteries for recycling if a battery is purchased. Retailers are also required to post a sign which states:

1. It is illegal to improperly dispose of a motor vehicle battery or other lead acid battery
2. Recycle your used batteries
3. State law requires us to accept used motor vehicle batteries or other lead acid batteries for recycling in exchange for new batteries purchased." read more
   
   

Our collection sites accept all batteries to ensure proper disposal and recycling. All batteries must be packaged for transportation in a manner which prevents short circuiting and damage to the battery or its terminals. This may be achieved by the following the preventive measures listed below: Each battery must be placed in a separate plastic “baggie” or the terminal ends must be taped securely. Alkaline batteries must be packaged separate and not mixed with any other chemical type of battery. Batteries must be properly labeled and separated by their chemical type (ni-cad, lithium, alkaline, lead, etc.).

Oil, Oil Filters and Anti-Freeze:
Oil, oil filters, anti-freeze are banned items from the landfill. Each collection site accepts these items to ensure proper disposal through recycling.

White Goods:

White goods is a term used to describe large appliances such as refrigerators, ranges, water heaters, freezers, unit air conditioners, washers and dryers. These items are banned from the landfill and often contain refrigerants. All collection sites accept these items and recycle both the appliance and drain them of the refrigerant so it can be recycled as well.

Food and Beverage Cartons/Cardboard/Paper: At this time the only collection site that accepts cardboard and paper is the Wiregrass site (8072 Wire Grass Road Fairmont NC 28340). Cardboard boxes need to be flattened with no Styrofoam or plastic attached.

Cardboard/Paper:

At this time the only collection site that accepts cardboard and paper is the Sanchez site. However, cardboard (only) is accepted at the both Sanchez and Wiregrass road. Cardboard boxes need to be flattened with no Styrofoam or plastic attached.

What happens to paper and cardboard when it is recycled? Click here to find out.

Recycling Cartons 101:
https://www.recyclecartons.com/recycling-101

Tires:

Car tires are banned from the landfill but accepted at each collection site (non-business only and no more than 4). Tires are brought to a centralized location and taken to a tire recycler. A tire can be recycled into many valuable items. The larger tires can be used for stone aggregates, or as fuel to power kilns, mills and power plants. Smaller tires are used on athletic fields, paving and landscaping applications such as mulch.

Clothing: Clothing is accepted at sites that contain “Swap Shops” located at Lowe Rd and Lamb Rd. Furniture is not allowed in the swap shops and all clothing must be on racks.

If you are a resident that lives within the city limits of a municipality, contact your service provider for more information on recycling opportunities.