Reducing reliability on landfills and keeping our coastal environment clean and safe for our future generations is the mission of the recycling department.

Did You Know:

•             Every second, 17 pounds of waste is created in New Hanover County.
•             For every ton (2000 pounds) of paper recycled, 17 trees are saved.
•             It takes 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than making them from raw material.
•             Everyday, U.S. papermakers recycle enough paper to fill a line of train boxcars 15 miles long.
•            The energy saved from recycling 1 glass bottle could operate a 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours.

As part of the County’s Integrated Solid Waste Management system, County Recycling collects processes and markets a variety of materials from the waste stream.  The Recycling staff services recycling drop-off sites throughout the County on a daily basis.  These sites are for the convenience of NHC residents that want to recycle materials that would otherwise be placed in their garbage containers.

 Recycling has numerous benefits including protecting our water quality, reducing air pollution, saving needed landfill space, conserving natural resources, creating jobs and providing industry with raw materials for new products.

 Below is a list of items that can be recycled at the New Hanover County Drop-off sites: 

·        Cardboard

·        Newspaper

·        Glass Food & Beverage Bottles

·        Aluminum Cans

·        Plastic Bottles (PETE #1 & HDPE #2) If it has a neck, it can be recycled (3 gallon container or smaller)

·        Mixed Paper (magazines, white paper, colored paper, computer paper, file folders, brochures, catalogues, magazines, phone books, paper back books, paper bags, junk mail, drink boxes, cereal & food boxes)

·        Rechargeable Household Batteries

Please separate the materials and place them in the correct containers.

No Plastic Bags Please