Multi-Material Drop Off
The Multi-Material Recycling Facilities were built to accept waste that was banned from landfills, such as tires and appliances. Throughout the years, the facilities have grown to accept other material for recycling from local businesses and residents.
Locations
North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility
Wake County has expanded the electronics recycling program to include nearly any electronic device with a cord. Acceptable items include:
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Empty plastic pesticide containers that are five gallons or less in size can be recycled at the Collection Facility during normal operating hours.
Prior to recycling, your plastic pesticide containers must be: empty of their original contents, triple or pressure rinsed, labeled of any materials that were stored other than the original, and reasonably clean with caps removed.
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Recyclable corrugated cardboard is defined as having two paper layers with a wavy layer in between. Chipboard is a brown or gray single-layered box such as cereal boxes. SBS board is similar to chipboard but has been bleached so it's a white single-layered material that is used for gift boxes.
Before disposal, make sure all contents and linings have been removed. Material unacceptable for recycling includes: waxed, foreign, wet, food or other waste contaminated boxes.
Residents can also take this material to any of the Convenience Centers.
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Intact car or lawn mower batteries (lead-acid batteries) are accepted for recycling at both Multi-Material Drop-Off facilities.
Residential leaking or broken batteries will not be accepted, but can be disposed of safely at the County's permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities.
By recycling lead-acid batteries, the sulfuric acid is reprocessed or sent to a licensed facility for disposal. The lead, when removed, is sent to a mill where it is processed and sold to other manufacturers.
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Wake County residents can dispose of used motor oil free of charge.
To recycle oil it involves a series of chemical reactions which are designed to first thin the oil and then filter out dirt, metals and other debris. The oil is then heated until it separates into various weight classes. End products are industrial lubricants, fuel oil and asphalt.
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Scrap metal such as bikes, mowers, aluminum siding, rebar, and piping can be recycled at both Multi-Material Facilities. Make sure to remove all oil, gas, or propane. Please do not recycle bed springs or fencing due to operational difficulties.
Residents can also take this material to any of the Convenience Centers.
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When recycling your phone book, please make sure they have been removed from the plastic wrap or bag and are not mixed with other types of paper such as newspaper or catalogs.
Although phone books are made with the lowest possibility quality paper, they can still be reprocessed and made into ceiling tiles, textbook covers and insulation.
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For more than five tires no fee will be assessed if you have a North Carolina Scrap Tire Identification Number and Certification Form. If you do not have such a form, a fee of $50/ton will be charged at the time of disposal. For five tires or less there is no charge for passenger vehicle or truck tires.
Although often considered a major liability, scrap tires can prove beneficial when used for energy generation or in the development of new products such as retread tires, asphalt, or pipe insulation.
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Large appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, even air conditioners, can be recycled free of charge at the Multi-Material Drop-off Facilities.
Before you take these items to the drop-off facilities, make sure you remove all contents!
Another option is to donate appliances that are in good condition or needing minor repair to nonprofit organizations. These organizations can repair the items and sell them to needy families.
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For more information about Wake County Solid Waste Management call 856-6186.