Recycling

Covenant Waste, and our subsidiaries, Hawk Sanitation and Trinity Waste utilize Union County’s recommended collection method of single-stream recycling. This means there is no need to separate varied materials into separate containers. The recyclable items we take include: In other words, you throw it all in one container.

The recycling centers then separate and sort these materials. Then the materials are baled and sold to organizations that reuse these items to make products. You would be surprised to know some of the really cool products that are made into everyday products. Here are a few examples:

• What Items Should We Place in Our Recycle Containers

  Union County Public Works currently recycles the following types of materials at our Landfill and our six satellite collection centers. Most items are accepted free of charge.

  • Aluminum Cans – Includes beer/soft drink cans and food cans. Please remember to rinse! Aluminum Cans
    Steel Cans
    Spiral Cans
  • Paper Items – Loose items are accepted. Bundling is not necessary.
    Newspapers
    Inserts
    Catalogs
    Computer Paper
    Phone Books
  • Glass – Includes clear, brown and green bottles and jars. Must be either food or beverage type glass. Glass should be rinsed out with lid removed. No broken glass, please.
    Clear Glass
    Brown Glass
    Green Glass
    Bottles
    Jars
  • Electronics Click Here for List of Electronics
  • Corrugated Cardboard – Cardboard should be flattened.
  • Plastic – Tip *Check the bottom of the container. If it has a #1 or 2 inside, then it will be acceptable.
    Soft Drink Bottles
    Milk Jugs
    Water Jugs
    Liquid Detergent
    Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Antifreeze – Used antifreeze is accepted free of charge, but only at the Landfill and it must not be mixed with any substance.
  • Motor Oil & Transmission Fluid – Maximum of five (5) gallons each. Must be poured into the specified container at our sites. Accepted at all 6 sites and at the Landfill
  • White Goods & Non Ferrous Metals -
    Refrigerators must be empty of all contents and door(s) can be removed.
    Refrigerators
    Freezers
    Hot Water Heaters
    Washers & Dryers
    Bicycles
    Tire Rims
    Swing Sets
    Grills (no tanks, please)
    Tin Roofing
  • Batteries – Car Batteries only.
  • Tires – Tires – must be separated from all other materials for disposal, must be removed from the rim and stacked by the individual properly in tire trailer. Three or fewer tires are accepted free of charge. For more than three tires, please call (704) 292-1550 to ensure trailer space and details on cost.
  • Motor Oil • Motor Oil, Antifreeze & Transmission Fluid – Maximum of three (3) gallons each. Must be in a sealed container.

• What You Cannot Recycle

  In a perfect world we would recycle everything and we are working with our fellow citizens toward that goal. Check back often as we remove items from this list!

  • Batteries – Batteries can be categorized as either single-use (primary cell) batteries or rechargeable (secondary cell) batteries. Each type requires special instructions to ensure it’s properly recycled (or discarded). The majority of consumer batteries for household use fall within these types:
    
    Alkaline or Oxyride
    Zinc-carbon button cell (lithium manganese or silver oxide)
    Lithium (Li-ion)
    Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
    Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
    Lead-based (automotive and non-automotive)

    These batteries should be disposed of as hazzardous waste

  • Some Glass Items
    Mirrors
    Ceramic Cups
    Plates
    Clay Flower Pots
    Crystal
    Light Bulbs
    Window Glass
    Heat Resistant Ovenware
    Canning Jars
    Drinking Glasses
  • Some Cardboard Items
    Cereal Boxes
    Cracker Boxes
    Coated Cardboard
  • Some Plastic Items
    Plastic Grocery Bags
    Oil Containers
  • White Goods & Non Ferrous Metals Not Accepted
    Fence Wire
    Metal Strapping or Packaging Bands
    Gas Cans
    Propane Bottles
    Televisions
    Microwaves

	Polyethylene terephthalate , or sometime labeled PET) is often used for beverage or food containers (Water bottles and Pepsi bottles.)
	(High-density polyethylene) is the most widely used plastic in the food industry. It is very strong and can withstand high temperatures, thus good for cooking. Common items made with HDPE include milk and water jugs and laundry detergent bottles.
	(Low- density polyethylene, is a commonly used plastic. LDPE materials include plastic bags, toys, packaging materials, and computer discs. This type of plastic does not recycle well, although plastic bags can be used over and over).
	(Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene) is used in a wide variety of applications including textiles (clothes), carpets and automotive components). This plastic is seldom found in the kitchen, or around food).
	(Polystyrene) is recyclable plastic used, for example, in disposable cutlery, (plastic forks and knives), foam drinking cups, toys and models, CD and DVD cases, and smoke detector housings. This plastic has an extremely-long life, and can take over 500 years to decompose.