Holiday Haul: Recycling Centers Accepting Trees and Seasonal Items

Christmas trees being recycled at a Mecklenburg County recycling center.

Once gifts have been exchanged and presents have been opened, it’s time to take part in another time-honored holiday tradition: getting rid of all the packaging and waste. Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling Services invites residents to drop recyclables and waste items off at Full-Service Recycling Centers.  

Residents can drop off the following at Full-Service Recycling Centers:  

  • Christmas trees (without any decorations): residents may drop off up to two live Christmas trees at no cost. Artificial trees will be charged as “bulky trash” and one may be disposed at no cost.  
  • Natural wreaths (without any decorations): these will be considered yard waste.  
  • Plain wrapping paper  
  • Carboard  
  • White rigid foam, commonly found in packaging for TVs and electronics  
  • Old electronics, such as cell phones, computer equipment, etc.  
  • Textiles, including clothing, shoes, accessories, pillows, sheets and towels  
  • Food waste (free of packaging and containers)  
  • At the Hickory Grove Recycling Center and Compost Central Recycling Center only  

Not all holiday and household items are recyclable. These items should be placed in the trash or repurposed:  

  • Ribbons and bows  
  • Decorative wrapping paper or gift bags (glossy, metallic, with glitter, etc.)  
  • Plastic packaging  

Mecklenburg County operates four full-service Disposal and Recycling Centers:  

Centers are open Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. but will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan.1. For more information, visit WipeOutWaste.MeckNC.gov.