Disposal Guidelines

Construction and demolition debris consists of:

• treated or painted wood
• sheetrock
• concrete
• blocks
• bricks
• clean dirt

These materials should be taken to the Construction and Demolition, or C&D Landfill at the Solid Waste Management Facility, not to the lined Municipal Solid Waste or MSW Landfill. The charge is $28 per ton.

Buy only the paint that you need and use it up. To reduce toxicity, buy water-based paints whenever possible. If you’ve got extra paint, use it yourself or give it away to neighbors, schools, churches, or anybody who can use it. Air-dry unusable latex or water-based paint by leaving the can open a week or two to allow any liquid to evaporate. Cement may be added to oil based paint, sealers and paint related materials to help solidify it faster. Make sure to air-solidify the products only in a dry, well-ventilated area away from children and animals. Once the paint is dry, the can and remaining dry pigment solids can safely be thrown in the trash.

Paint thinner, mineral spirits, and turpentine can be reused by letting the paint particles settle to the bottom of the container. Cover to prevent evaporation, then pour off the clear liquid into a clean, labeled, sealed container for re-use.

Triple-rinsed pesticide containers can be taken to the Solid Waste Management Facility at 85 Panther Branch Road. Also, look for Household Hazardous Waste Day to dispose of your pesticides free of charge. For information on the disposal of pesticides, call the County Cooperative Extension Service at 255-5522.

Use your regular service station for getting rid of waste oil generated by your vehicle. Waste oil is also taken at the Buncombe County Solid Waste Management Facility at 85 Panther Branch Road. When you make a new auto battery purchase, take your used battery in, or take it to the Solid Waste Management Facility or the Transfer Station.

Buy rechargeable household batteries. For recycling locations for Nickel Cadmium batteries in Asheville call 1-800-822-8837. There are no known outlets in Asheville for recycling Mercury Oxide and Alkaline batteries.

All wood waste must be taken to either the Tub Grinding Facility or the C&D Landfill which are both located at the Solid Waste Management Facility at 85 Panther Branch Road.

Materials accepted at each facility are as follows:

• clean or untreated wood such as 2x4's, planks, and pallets
• brush, limbs, and yard waste.
• Material suitable for mulching goes to the Tub Grinding Facility at a rate of $15 per ton.
• Painted, treated, or wood not suitable for mulching must go into the C&D Construction and Demolition Landfill at a rate of $28 per ton.

Many people use needles, lancets, and other "sharps" as part of their daily home medical treatment. After use these items should never be placed into the trash or into your recycling bin. Trash collectors, workers at disposal facilities, and employees at recycling centers can be injured on improperly disposed sharps. To minimize risks to these workers and offer residents with special needs safe disposal alternatives, Buncombe County provides free sharps disposal for residents.

• At home, please place used needles in a sturdy plastic container with a screw-on cap, such as an empty laundry detergent jug.
• When your sharps container is full, bring it to the Buncombe County Transfer Station on Hominy Creek Road.