Landfill
The New Hanover County Landfill provides safe, environmentally sound waste diversion, recycling, and disposal services to county residents and businesses. In operation since 1981, the landfill was the first lined landfill in the state of North Carolina. The site also boasts an innovative constructed wetlands system for the treatment of landfill leachate as well as a double reverse osmosis wastewater treatment plant. All landfill liner systems are designed to exceed federal and state requirements. The site also provides for the convenient recycling of tires, appliances (“white goods”), yard waste, mixed recyclables, construction, and demolition debris, batteries, used motor oil, cooking oil, antifreeze, oyster shells, sharps (needles), and other materials.
Please note that all customers must be unloaded and depart from the site by the stated closing time.
The New Hanover County Landfill accepts the following materials for recycling or disposal:
Recycling
- Aluminum Cans
- Food Waste, unpackaged
- Oyster Shells
- Antifreeze
- Cooking Oil
- Plastics #1 to #2
- Asphalt Shingles
- Scrap Metals
- Car/Truck Batteries
- Tires
- Cardboard
- Used Motor Oil
- Oil Filters
- White Goods (appliances)
- Wood Waste (scrap lumber) - unpainted and untreated
- Clean concrete, brick, and block
- Wooden Pallets (unpainted/untreated)
- Drywall
- Yard Waste (leaves, branches, grass clippings, etc.)
- Mixed Paper
- Clean soil
Disposal
Please note that asbestos-containing material (ACM) is no longer accepted for disposal at the New Hanover County Landfill.
- Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) - garbage and refuse
- Bulky items, such as mattresses and furniture
- Sharps (hypodermic needles)
- Special Waste (by authorization, call 798-4453)
Note: The landfill accepts cash, checks (with a North Carolina address and phone number listed), and all major credit/debit cards. All disposal fees are pro-rated based on the actual weight delivered. All customers will be weighed in and out to determine the pro-rated fee amount. For example, a customer bringing in 500 pounds (0.25 tons) of refuse will be charged $13.00 ($52 × 0.25).
| Material | Fee |
|---|---|
| Antifreeze | No Charge |
| Appliances | No Charge |
| Batteries, Lead-Acid | No Charge |
| Brick, Concrete, or Dirt (clean, separated) (see note) | $30.00 per ton |
| Bulky Items (Furniture, etc.) Mattresses and Box Springs are charged $10 each plus the charge by weight | $52.00 per ton |
| Cardboard (100% clean, no Styrofoam or plastic wrap) | No Charge |
| Construction & Demolition Debris (C&D) | $52.00 per ton |
| Food Waste, unpackaged only | No Charge |
| Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) - garbage and refuse | $52.00 per ton |
| Palm Trees | $25.00 each |
| Shingles, Asphalt (100% clean) | $30.00 per ton |
| Shingles, Built-up Roofing, Mixed | $52.00 per ton |
| Sludge (accepted with prior approval) | $80.00 per ton |
| Tires from residents (limit 5 per day) | No Charge |
| Tires from businesses | $75.00 per ton |
| Oil, Motor and Oil, Cooking | No Charge |
| Residential Yard Waste (no plastic bags or garbage) | $30.00 per ton |
| Commercial Yard Waste (no plastic bags or garbage) | $25.00 per ton |
Note: Disposal fees will be waived for construction and demolition materials that are separated at the job site by category and are 100% free of contamination. Eligible materials include gypsum wallboard (sheetrock), unpainted/untreated scrap lumber and pallets, and concrete/brick/block. If you have any questions about this program, call 798-4450.
| Day of Week | Date | Holiday Observance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | January 2nd | New Year’s Day | Closed |
| Monday | January 16th | Martin Luther King Day | Open |
| Friday | April 7th | Good Friday | Open |
| Monday | May 29th | Memorial Day | Open |
| Tuesday | July 4th | Independence Day | Closed |
| Monday | September 4th | Labor Day | Open |
| Saturday | November 11th | Veteran’s Day | Open |
| Thursday | November 23rd | Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Friday | November 24th | Day after Thanksgiving | Open |
| Saturday | November 25th | Saturday after Thanksgiving | Open until noon |
| Saturday | December 23rd | Saturday before Christmas | Open until noon |
| Monday | December 25th | Christmas Day | Closed |
| Saturday | December 30th | Day before New Year's Eve | Open until noon |
| Monday | January 1st | New Year's Day | Closed |
The following items are banned from disposal at all North Carolina landfills. Separate recycling areas exist for these items either at the landfill or at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste facility:
- Motor oil and oil filters
- Yard trash
- White goods (appliances)
- Antifreeze
- Aluminum Cans
- Whole scrap tires
- Lead-acid batteries
- Glass beverage containers from Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) permit holders (bars and restaurants)
- Plastic beverage containers
- Wooden Pallets
- Oyster Shells
- Discarded computer equipment and TVs
- Fluorescent lights and Thermostats that contain mercury (Hg)
Tours of the landfill are available by appointment and are customized for different age groups and technical levels. Please schedule tours at least 48 hours in advance. For groups greater than 12, please schedule a week in advance. Please note that minor children must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toed shoes are required. Call 910-798-4403 to schedule your tour!
Highlights of the Tour
- Constructed wetlands system
- Reverse osmosis wastewater treatment plant
- Construction and demolition debris recycling facility
- Food waste composter
- Recycling and diversion initiatives
- Landfill engineering and design
If we’re very lucky, we might just spot an American Alligator, wild turkey, bald eagles, or other critters during the tour!
Volunteers are always welcome! Do you need volunteering hours, or community service hours toward a badge or work goal? If you like to work outdoors, this is your gig!
One of the site's biggest challenges is managing wind-blown debris - things like plastic bags and Styrofoam. The landfill is surrounded by pristine wetlands and we place a high priority on keeping it that way!
Volunteers will be supplied with all the supplies and tools you may need to help us to manage litter safely. Call us at 910-798-4400 if you’re interested.
How to Obtain a Franchise Agreement
Franchise agreements are for private haulers whose business model is based around the collection and transportation of solid waste. It is required for any waste hauling business that utilizes the landfill.
Once the franchise agreement materials are received, they will be forwarded to county Finance and this department for review. After being reviewed and approved, it must appear as an agenda item before the County Commissioners for two readings. You do not need to be present for either reading. Once approved by the Board, you will receive your franchise agreement from the County Attorney’s office. It is good for seven years.