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Are you thinking about cleaning out the garage, storage shed, or basement?

Here are some tips for safely getting rid of unwanted items around your house. Many of these items are considered household hazardous waste, and should never be dumped on the ground or near a body of water, or poured down a sink, toilet or storm drain. Always check the product label first for disposal options and guidelines.

Contact the site listed or visit the website for specific instructions related to recycling. Some stores have daily item limits, fees associated with some items or a purchase requirement, but most listed offer free recycling.

Contact N.C. Cooperative Extension, Davie County Center, at 336-753-6100 with additional questions.  The information below is also available on the website at davie.ces.ncsu.edu.

Davie County Solid Waste

Auto and rechargeable batteries, used motor oil, scrap metal, tires, appliances, quarterly electronics recycling. Remaining electronics recycling dates for 2022 are April 30, July 30 and Oct. 29, 8 a.m.-noon (336-998-6467).

Forsyth County

3RC EnviroStation

Thanks to a new contract, Davie residents can take many of the items listed below to 3RC for disposal at no cost. 3RC accepts a variety of other items including antifreeze, mercury thermometers, paint thinner, various types of paint, etc.  Davie residents will need to show proof of residence.  Visit the website for a complete list of accepted items and guidelines for drop off (336-784-4300).

Auto Fluids,

Filters and Batteries

Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, O’Reilly’s, Walmart Tire and Lube, Tractor Supply.

Batteries

Lowe’s Home Improvement and Davie County Solid Waste (rechargeable only), Home Depot (lead acid and rechargeable), Batteries Plus Bulbs (all types).

Cell Phones

and Electronics

Staples, Best Buy, Davie County Solid Waste quarterly electronics collections, kiosk inside Walmart (cell phones only).

Cleaning Products

Try to use up cleaning and other products according to the label directions to avoid disposal, or give the product to someone to use.

Light Bulbs

Home Depot (CFL bulbs only), Lowe’s Home Improvement (all types except fluorescent), Batteries Plus Bulbs (all types).

Ink Cartridges

Staples, Best Buy.

Latex Paint

Open paint can and allow paint to dry in the sun. If there is too much excess paint in the can to dry out alone, add kitty litter or sand and then allow to dry in the sun. The paint bucket can be placed in the trash once all paint has dried up.

Medication

Foster Drug in Mocksville, Davie Discount Drug in Cooleemee and the Davie Sheriff’s Department offer medication drop boxes. Medications can be prescription, vitamins, over-the-counter, etc., but no liquids. Do not flush medicine down the toilet unless specifically directed to by the product label. Seal in a plastic bag, add an undesirable substance, such as dirt or cat litter and throw away in household trash.

Pesticides

Use according to label directions, or give to someone to use. Otherwise, save for Pesticide Collection Event held every odd year spring in Davie County at the Masonic Picnic Grounds. Contact Cooperative Extension for details.

Plastic Grocery Bags

Return to collection bin at stores.

Plastic Plant Pots

Home Depot

Scrap Metal

R&R Metals Recycling Inc., Davie County Solid Waste.

Yard Waste

Home compost, Wallace Farm in Advance for Davie residents, compost site at Rich Park for Town of Mocksville residents only.

Make Donations

Don’t throw useable items away; donate instead. Just HOPE, Storehouse for Jesus, Habitat for Humanity Restore, and Goodwill are local options. This saves landfill space and helps a good cause.

Recommendations for the use of services included in this article are for the convenience of the reader. The use of store names and services does not imply endorsement by N.C. Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar services not mentioned.