What Do I Do With...

Items and How to Dispose of Them:

Aerosol Cans

If it contains/ed a hazardous material like spray paint or oven cleaner, then it needs to be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste
If it is empty and did NOT contain hazardous waste (for example, deodorant or air freshener), then remove the plastic cap and place in your recycling cart

Air Packs/Shipping Packaging

NOT including packing peanuts
NOT recyclable
Air packs and plastic film shipping materials may be taken to the grocery store and recycled with plastic bags and film
Otherwise, this can be reused or go in your household garbage

Aluminum Cans

Empty, rinse and place in recycling cart

Aluminum Foil and Trays

NOT recyclable
Place in household garbage

Antifreeze

Any liquids must be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers: do NOT recycle, place in household garbage

Ammunition

Spent shells and casings may be placed in household garbage
Live ammunition should be taken to the High Point Police or gun range for appropriate disposal

Animal Waste/Bedding

Should NOT be thrown down storm drains
Do NOT place in yard waste carts
Should be picked up, bagged and placed in household garbage, do not leave out

Ashes

Cooled ashes may be bagged and placed in household garbage
Human and animals cremains must be scattered within the parameters of local rules and regulations

Automobiles

These are not accepted at any City facility. Please contact a local scrap dealer or junkyard.
Additional options for automobiles include donation to programs such as this.

Bags

No plastic bags should be placed in your recycling cart! The sole exception being clear bags filled with shredded paper
Paper bags may be placed in your recycling cart
Plastic bags: reuse them as trash bags, pet waste disposal bags or return them to the drop off at a local grocery store
To find the location closest to you that accepts plastic bags for drop off Click Here
Miscellaneous bags: chip bags, pet food bags, frozen food bags, etc. These are not recyclable or reclaimable. Please place in your household garbage.

Batteries (Auto, lawn, etc, lead acid)

These may NOT go in any City disposal cart
These will be accepted at Household Hazardous Waste or can be taken back to many auto repair stores

Batteries (Household: alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, cadmium, nickel, NiMH, etc.)

These may NOT go in any City disposal cart
These can go to Household Hazardous Waste or can often be returned to stores such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

Berry Containers/Plastic Clamshells

These go in the GARBAGE
These are not recyclable

Boats

These will not be picked up curbside, they may be taken to the Landfill where it will be charged on weight. The fuel tank must be removed.
If the trailer is brought as well, the tires must be removed.
Many local scrap dealers will also take boats and trailers.

Books

Paperback books can be placed in your recycling cart
Hardcover books must have the cover removed to be thrown in the household garbage. The pages may go in your recycling cart.
Another option is to donate books to local schools, church libraries or thrift stores

Bottlecaps and Container Lids

Please leave all bottle caps on containers and place them in your recycling cart
This is also true for the lids to containers like butter tubs
If lids are removed, please place lids in the household garbage (empty bottles and containers may still be recycled without lids).

Brick, Concrete, and Rock

Acceptable clean brick, concrete and rock can be brought to the Landfill at no charge. It will be checked upon arrival and will be accepted as clean material at the discretion of the attendant, otherwise, it will be charged.
These materials are not collected curbside.
Any material that is mixed with dirt, larger size concrete, and rock will be charged at the Landfill by weight
Consider donating clean and serviceable construction supplies to local volunteer groups that construct houses for the less fortunate
There are also private Construction and Demolition landfills that will accept these materials, please contact them for more info

Cars

Cars are not recommended for disposal in the landfill
Contact a local scrap metal dealer
Consider donation

Cardboard

Please flatten and place in your recycling cart (note that the lid on the cart must be able to close)
For large amounts of cardboard, this may also be taken to a City drop-off location

Cartons (Juice, milk, soup, etc)

These are not currently accepted in curbside recycling, so place them in your GARBAGE CART

CD's

CD's are not recyclable because they are made of multiple types of plastic thus must go in household garbage.
There are some upcycling options (such as bird deterrents in gardens) and there are some local businesses that will take them as donations.

Chemicals From Household (Cleaners, Solvents, Stain Removers)

Please bring these to Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers do not need to be taken to HHW, but should be placed in household garbage instead of recycling

Christmas Lights

These may NOT go in your recycling cart (they tangle sorting machinery)
They MAY be brought to the Material Recovery Facility for dropoff.
If bringing them to the MRF is not an option, they can go in your household garbage

Christmas Trees

Live trees: These can be placed on the curb for special holiday pickup, with the regular yard waste pickup, or can be taken to the Ingleside Compost Facility (dates announced each December)
Artificial trees: These must be disposed of in your household garbage. If it fits in your cart, you may dispose of it there. If not, it may be taken to the Landfill. If the tree is still in good working condition, please consider a donation to a second-hand store or charity

Clamshell Containers/Clear Hinged Plastic Containers

These go in household garbage
Clamshell style containers are NOT recyclable

Clothing and Shoes

These may be placed in your household garbage
If they are not heavily worn or tattered, consider a donation to thrift or secondhand stores, or use as household rags

Compostable and Plant-Based Containers

These must go in your household garbage. They are not made of traditional plastic and therefore are not traditionally recyclable.

Computers and Computer Equipment

May be taken for a charge to the Material Recovery Facility dropoff for appropriate disposal
These may also be taken at no charge to the electronics dropoff at Ingleside Compost Facility
These may also be taken at no charge to the Bishop Road location

Construction and Demolition Waste

Acceptable clean brick and concrete (cannot be mixed materials) can be brought to the Landfill at no charge. It will be up to the discretion of the Landfill employees.
Other construction debris may be brought to the Landfill and will be charged by weight
Can also be taken to any of the local Private Construction and Demolition-specific landfills, please call them for more information

Cooking Oil/Grease

DO NOT pour down drains (storm or sanitary sewer). This must be disposed of properly!
For households, please place it in a heat-resistant container and dispose of small amounts of used cooking oil in household garbage
Commercial businesses should maintain a contract with an oil disposal company
Empty containers: these can be recycled (olive oil, vegetable oil, etc)

Coolers

Plastic: Plastic coolers that can fit in a recycling cart may be placed there for normal collection. It must be empty.
Styrofoam: Styrofoam coolers can NOT be recycled in your cart. They can be taken to our Styrofoam recycling trailer at 3001 Ingleside Dr. or otherwise should be placed in household garbage
Metal: These may be recycled in they fit in your cart. They can also be taken to a scrap facility or placed in your household garbage cart.

Dead Animals

The City provides free collection of dead animals (pets only, no livestock) weighing less than 100 pounds to residents
The animal may be placed in a heavy duty plastic bag and placed in your household garbage cart. Or you may contact Customer Service at 336.883.3111 - the animal must be placed in a heavy duty bag and placed at the curb for prompt collection.
Larger animals can be disposed of at the Landfill and will be charged the current rate for disposal. Please call ahead first.

Diapers

NOT recyclable - must be placed in household garbage

Diesel Fuel

This can only be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers that once contained fuel must be placed in household garbage

Dirt/Gravel

This may NOT be washed down a storm drain
This also should not just be dumped in vacant areas (landscaping aside)
This may be taken to the Landfill, where clean, uncontaminated dirt and gravel will be taken at no charge at the discretion of the landfill employees
Another option is to advertise it on local groups for sale, well-priced dirt is a commodity people appreciate

Dishes

These are NOT recyclable and must be placed in your household garbage
If they are serviceable and unbroken, please consider a donation to a local secondhand store, religious organization or charity

Drink Pouches

These are made of many different materials and are not recyclable, thus must go in household garbage

Drums and Barrels

For empty barrels formerly containing inert and harmless materials, please call the Material Recovery Facility at 336.883.3623 to inquire about recyclability
Many metal drums may be taken to scrap metal dealers.
All empty drums and barrels may be disposed of at the Landfill with the lids removed, at the current charge by weight

DVD's

DVD's are not recyclable because they are made of multiple types of plastic thus must go in household garbage.
There are some upcycling options (such as bird deterrents in gardens) and there are some local businesses that will take them as donations.

E-Waste

E-waste is electronic products that are unwanted, not working, and nearing or at the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are everyday electronic products.
Virtually anything with a plug can go to one of our electronics drop-off locations
VHS, Cassette Tapes, DVD's etc. are not recyclable and should go in the GARBAGE, or you can investigate donation or repurposing.

Electronics

These can NOT go in your recycling cart, but they CAN be taken at no charge to the Material Recovery Facility for drop off
They may go to to the drop point at the Ingleside Compost Facility at no charge
These may also be taken to Bishop Road at no charge

Feminine Hygiene Products

These do NOT belong in your recycling in any capacity, except for the cardboard boxes that they come in
These should also NOT be flushed down the City sanitary sewer system
The most appropriate form for disposal for all of this is to place these items in your household garbage after each use

Fire Extinguishers

These are to be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste

Flares

Flares themselves must go to Household Hazardous Waste
Flare guns are categorized as ammunition and need to be taken to High Point Police

Flower Pots

Flower pots do not belong in the recycling
Plastic pots or flats are not recyclable and may be taken to the agricultural plastic recycling dropoff at the Piedmont-Triad Regional Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge Road, or may be taken to the garden center at most big box stores
Terracotta pots can be reused, broken pots can be used for drainage at the bottom of new pots, or otherwise they need to go in the GARBAGE

Flushable Wipes

They're actually not flushable! Even if they say they are.
Please dispose of them in your household garbage

Furniture

May be taken to the Landfill, where you will be charged by weight
You may also place this at the curbside for bulk item pickup on your regular trash collection day
If the furniture is not in disrepair and is still usable, it is suggested that it be donated to secondhand, charity or thrift stores

Gasoline and Mixed Gas

This must be taken to Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers can be placed in your regular household garbage

Glass Bottles and Jars

Please place in your recycling cart rinsed, with lids removed. Please, no lids, caps or corks.

Glass Windows

NOT recyclable
These may be taken to the Landfill, where they will be charged on weight
They may not be placed on the curb for bulk pick up unless they are placed in a container that prevents them from shattering
They may be placed in your household garbage if they are bagged and fit fully in your cart
If the windows are not broken and are salvageable, consider donating to a home rebuilding charity

Grass Clippings

These may NOT be washed or blown down storm drains
Please bag and place on the curb for yard waste pickup, or take them to the Ingleside Compost Facility, where if you are a resident of the City, there will be no charge. If you do not own a home in High Point, you will be charged by weight.
Another option is to consider grasscycling, or leaving grass to naturally decompose on the lawn. This adds nutrients to your lawn and acts as a natural fertilizer

Helium Tanks

Can be taken to the Material Recovery Facility for dropoff. Please do not place in your recycling cart.
Can be taken to some local scrap dealers - please call them directly to inquire
Please make sure to punch tanks before disposal

Herbicide

This goes to Household Hazardous Waste
If the containers are empty and contain no more chemicals, please dispose of in your household garbage

Hoses (Garden or Automotive)

Not recyclable
May be placed in your household garbage for normal pickup

Ink Cartridges

Not recyclable in curbside recycling
These can and should be taken to office supply stores for return, recycling and disposal

Insecticide

Must go to Household Hazardous Waste
If the containers are empty and contain no more chemicals, please dispose of in your regular household garbage

Kerosene

Must go to Household Hazardous Waste
If the containers are empty and contain no more chemicals, please dispose of in your regular household garbage

Large Appliances (Air conditioners, refrigerators, etc.)

May be taken to Bishop Road for White Goods disposal at no charge
Can also go to the designated area at the Landfill, where you will be charged on weight
May also be placed at the curb for special pickup on the same day as your garbage pick up (see bulk collection guidelines)

Lids

Lids from plastic containers should be left ON the container they came from and then be placed in your recycling
Loose lids should go in the garbage

Lightbulbs

Should be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste or can be taken to many home improvement stores, like Lowes or Home Depot
Should never go in your recycling and should not be placed in garbage

Mattresses and/or Boxspring

Households and residents may dispose of mattresses by taking them to the Landfill or by placing them by the curb for bulk pickup on the same day as your regular garbage collection day.
Any commercial dealers with a bulk of mattresses will not be allowed to dump at the Landfill and will need to make other arrangements.
Mattresses should never be dropped off on the side of the road. It can cause environmental concerns and be costly to clean up and remove.
For more information on mattresses read here.

Medical Waste

Medical waste is defined as healthcare waste that that may be contaminated by blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials.
Sharps (needles) may be taken to the Material Recovery Facility for disposal or can be collected by the City - call 336.883.3111 to schedule pickup
No medical waste should ever go in the recycling
Medical equipment is not considered medical waste
Medical Waste such as Dressings, Bandages, Gloves, and Tubing, Artificial Body Parts and Implants may be disposed of in household garbage
Medication see below

Medication

Unused medications absolutely should not be flushed down the toilet, washed down the sink or thrown in the garbage
All unused medications should be taken to the High Point Police for appropriate disposal
Other options are to return it to the pharmacy where they will either take it or have mail-in programs in place for disposal
Empty medication bottles should not be recycled but should be placed in household garbage

Metal Fencing, Barbed Wire, Miscellaneous Metal

This may be brought to the Landfill, where it will be charged on weight
Another option is to inquire with local scrap metal dealers
If it is fencing or metal that may be of use in construction projects, consider contacting a local house-building charity

Mirrors

NOT recyclable
These may be taken to the Landfill, where they will be charged on weight
They may not be placed on the curb for bulk pick up unless they are placed in a container that prevents them from shatte
May be placed in your household garbage if bagged and fully fit in the cart with the lid closed
If not broken and are salvageable, consider a donation

Motor Oil and Filters

NOT recyclable in your recycling cart
May be taken to most auto parts and/or repair shops in High Point
Otherwise must be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers must be disposed of in your household garbage

Needles and Sharps

NOT recyclable. Do not place in the recycling or garbage cart(s)
Needles and sharps MUST be in an approved sharps container (can be purchased at most pharmacies) and may then be:
- Dropped off at the Material Recovery Facility
- Collected by the City - call 336.883.3111 to schedule pickup

Newspaper

Can be placed in recycling carts
Can be dropped off at the Material Recovery Facility or a recycling dropoff site
Paper makes up over 20% of what is in the landfill

Packing Peanuts

NOT recyclable
May be disposed of in household garbage, please bag!
Consider reuse or returning to many shipping and packing stores that will usually take them (but call first to check)

Paint

Latex paint, oil-based paint and spray paint should be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste
Dried out or empty containers may go in your household garbage
You may dispose of partial containers of paint by leaving it to dry and disposing of the dry paint in houshold garbage. You can accelerate the process by adding kitty litter or oil dry to the paint

Paper

Should be placed in your recycling cart or be dropped off at the Material Recovery Facility or taken to a recycling dropoff site
Paper makes up over 20% of what is in the landfill

Paper Cans

Paper cans with metal bottoms and plastic lids such as those used to contain beverage mix, dough, chips, and nuts may be placed in your recycling cart

Pesticide

Dispose of at Household Hazardous Waste
Empty containers may be placed in your household garbage

Pizza Boxes

Can be placed in your recycling cart or taken to a recycling dropoff site
Excessively greasy boxes or boxes with food remains should be disposed of in household garbage

Plastic Bags

NOT recyclable in your recycling cart! (The only exception is clear plastic bags containing shredded paper)
Plastic bags may be taken back to most grocery and big box stores throughout the City and can be placed in a drop box at the front of the store
Other options are to reuse the bags for trashcan liners or to dispose of pet waste

Plastic Bottles and Tubs

May be placed in recycling
Need to be rinsed (just a simple rinse, not full wash) and placed in the cart with the lids/caps ON

Plastic To-Go Box

NOT recyclable
Needs to be placed in your household garbage.
Consider taking your own reusable to-go boxes when you go out to eat.

Propane Tanks

These should go back to the store where it was purchased
Do not place in recycling or garbage

PVC Piping

NOT recyclable
If it fits in your garbage cart, please dispose of it there. If not, it may be taken to the Landfill, where you will be charged at the current rate

Ribbon and Twine

Please place in your household garbage
If possible, reuse or consider donating larger quantities to creative reuse outlets or schools

Shredded Paper

May be recycled but must be bagged in a clear plastic bag
Other options are to take documents to shred events and only shred sensitive materials
Do not place in your recycling cart loose

Small Appliances

Do not place in your recycling cart
May be taken to the Material Recovery Facility dropoff, Ingleside Compost Facility or Bishop Road at no charge
Should not be placed in your household garbage

Smoke and CO2 Detectors

May be taken to the Material Recovery Facility for electronics recycling
May also be dropped off at the Ingleside electronics recycling

Soil, Dirt, and Sand

May NOT be washed down storm drains
Please consider disposal with local landscaping companies
Can be taken to the Landfill: possibly without charge at employees' discretion

Solo Cups and To-Go Cups

NOT recyclable
Please place in household garbage

Steel Cans

Please place in your recycling
Lid from those cans may be recycled as well - the best practice is to place the lid back in the rinsed can and gently pinch the can in order to keep the lid inside

Straws

NOT recyclable
Please place in household garbage
One of the most widely used and most easily replaceable disposable plastics. Consider opting out of using them or using a reusable one.

Styrofoam

NOT recyclable in recycling carts
Please take it to the Styrofoam recycling trailer at 3001 Ingleside Dr. M-F 8 a.m.-4p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m
There is an unmanned dropoff for clean Styrofoam at the DART Facility in Randleman at 3219 Wesleyan Road, Randleman, N.C. 27317 that is open to the public. That is the only place in the Piedmont that accepts Styrofoam. Call them for more details.
Otherwise, please dispose of in household garbage

Televisions, Computers, Printers, etc.

Do NOT place in your recycling or garbage
Please drop these off at the Material Recovery Facility, Ingleside or Bishop Road at no charge

Tile and Ceramic

May be taken to the Landfill, where it will be charged on weight
If you are a homeowner and doing a small project, a Red Box may be rented
If it is not broken and is serviceable consider a donation to a home building charity or ReStore

Tires

Do NOT place in garbage or recycling
Please take to Bishop Road
NOT accepted at Landfill

Toilets, Sinks, etc.

These can be placed in your household garbage if it fully fits in the cart with the lid closed or can be placed at the curb for bulk pickup
May also be taken to the Landfill
If there are multiple items and you are a private homeowner, consider renting a Red Box for disposal
If items are in decent working order, consider donating to a local home-building charity

Trailer

These may be brought to the Landfill, where they will be charged by weight
Please remove the tires for separate disposal
May also be taken to many local scrap dealers, call them directly to inquire

Transmission Fluid

Must be disposed of at Household Hazardous Waste
Many auto repair shops will also take this - call first
Empty containers may be placed in household garbage

Trash

Business
- Please contact one of the many local private contractors to set up garbage pickup and disposal at your place of work
- May also be taken to the Landfill where it will be charged on weight
Household
- Each household may have up to two (2) garbage carts. All trash must be bagged!
- Trash may be taken to the Landfill, where it will be charged on weight

VHS Tapes

Are not recyclable or accepted as electronics waste, may be placed in household garbage
You can investigate donations, but there are few outlets that currently accept them

Weapons and Ammunition

Should not be disposed of at any City facility. Take them to the High Point Police for proper disposal.
Some licensed gun ranges or dealers will also take them, call to inquire

Wooden Pallets

These can be brought to the Landfill, where they will be charged by weight. Patrons will be instructed to dispose of them in the landfill's wood yard.

Wrapping Paper

Paper wrapping paper can go in the recycling (please remove all bows, ribbon and other decoration)
Foil-based wrapping paper should be disposed of in the garbage

Yard Waste

Yard waste carts may be purchased by calling Customer Service 336.883.3111, and are picked up on your regular garbage days
Yard waste may also be taken to the Ingleside Compost Facility
Residents may dump for free, businesses will be charged on weight (High Point property owners only)

What Do I Do With...

Facilities:

Aerosol Cans

Air Packs/Shipping Packaging

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum Foil and Trays

Antifreeze

Ammunition

Animal Waste/Bedding

Ashes

Automobiles

Bags

Batteries (Auto, lawn, etc, lead acid)

Batteries (Household: alkaline, lithium, lithium-ion, cadmium, nickel, NiMH, etc.)

Berry Containers/Plastic Clamshells

Boats

Books

Bottlecaps and Container Lids

Brick, Concrete, and Rock

Cars

Cardboard

Cartons (Juice, milk, soup, etc)

CD's

Chemicals From Household (Cleaners, Solvents, Stain Removers)

Christmas Lights

Christmas Trees

Clamshell Containers/Clear Hinged Plastic Containers

Clothing and Shoes

Compostable and Plant-Based Containers

Computers and Computer Equipment

Construction and Demolition Waste

Cooking Oil/Grease

DO NOT pour down drains (storm or sanitary sewer). This must be disposed of properly!

Coolers

Dead Animals

Diapers

Diesel Fuel

Dirt/Gravel

Dishes

Drink Pouches

Drums and Barrels

DVD's

E-Waste

Electronics

Feminine Hygiene Products

Fire Extinguishers

Flares

Flower Pots

Flushable Wipes

Furniture

Gasoline and Mixed Gas

Glass Bottles and Jars

Glass Windows

Grass Clippings

Helium Tanks

Herbicide

Hoses (Garden or Automotive)

Ink Cartridges

Insecticide

Kerosene

Large Appliances (Air conditioners, refrigerators, etc.)

Lids

Lightbulbs

Mattresses and/or Boxspring

Medical Waste

Medication

Metal Fencing, Barbed Wire, Miscellaneous Metal

Mirrors

Motor Oil and Filters

Needles and Sharps

Newspaper

Packing Peanuts

Paint

Paper

Paper Cans

Pesticide

Pizza Boxes

Plastic Bags

Plastic Bottles and Tubs

Plastic To-Go Box