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Where to Recycle in WNC

You may be surprised to learn that recycling at Warren Wilson goes way beyond our campus community. WWC set up one of the first drop off centers in Buncombe county in 1988, and the first drop off center in Swannanoa. But we didn't do it without any help. On this page you'll find many recycling resources that will further educate you and help you educate others. Recycling is a massive industry in the United States and it doesn't really get the attention it deserves. We urge you to check out the sites below and get involved with recycling and recycling education.

We regret to inform the public that the Warren Wilson Recycling Center is only available to Warren Wilson students, faculty and staff living ON CAMPUS. We service all dorms and WWC buildings, as well as residents living on North Lane, Cabin Hill, Northwest Lane, West Lane, Southwest Lane, College View Dr, and Daisy Hill Rd. We also service the North Carolina Outward Bound School office and the Mountain Area Child and Family Center.

If you are not an on-campus student or a resident of the streets listed, this is where you can learn where to take your recycling. Our operation is simply too small and costly to handle the world's recycling! We hope you understand our situation. Keep the dream alive and recycle at one of these fabulous facilities:

Recycling Drop-off Centers:

Buncombe County Transfer Station

190 Hominy Creek Road

Asheville NC 28806; (828) 250-6205

Curbside Management Materials Recycling Facility

116 N. Woodfin Avenue

Woodfin, NC; (828) 252-2532

Behind Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

675 Merrimon Ave

Asheville, NC 28804

River Arts Recycling Center
1 Roberts Street
Asheville, NC 28801

The Buncombe County Landfill

85 Panther Branch Road
Alexander NC 28701
(828) 250-5462

The landfill will take the following recyclables, in addition to many other forms of waste:

Recyclables in blue bags
Newspapers, cardboard, or magazines prepared for disposal in accordance with the Solid Waste Department Policies
Household hazardous waste prepared in accordance with Solid Waste Department Policies: Only on Fridays 9AM-3PM.
Electronics recycling: Only on Fridays 9AM-3PM
Tires (maximum of four) 10 per year

To recycle used car batteries and motor oil:

Advance Auto Parts

1407 Us Highway 70 W
Black Mountain, NC
(828) 669-5245

Many auto parts stores and mechanics will take your car batteries and oil. We suggest you call ahead and see if they take it before you bring it.

To recycle aluminum cans and other scrap metals:

Biltmore Iron & Metal CO Incorporated
1 Meadow Rd
Asheville, NC
(828) 253-9317

Asheville Metal Recycle
530 Lyman St
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-1002

To recycle flourescent bulbs (even if they're broken) :

Beginning July 1, 2007, Buncombe county citizens can drop off their old fluorescent light bulbs (compact fluorescent light (CFLs) and the standard tube fluorescents) at the following volunteer fire departments for recycling:

Beaverdam VFD
Black Mountain VFD
Enka VFD (both stations)
Fairview VFD
Reems Creek VFD
Riceville VFD
Skyland VFD
Swannanoa VFD
In the City of Asheville, Station 2 on Livingston Street and Station 11 at Rocky Ridge Road near Biltmore Square Mall accept bulbs as well.

It is especially important to take these light bulbs to an appropriate recycling center as they have mercury inside them, which is very dangerous to the environment.

Check out the Buncombe County website for more information.

To Recycle electronics:

Buncombe County holds electronics recycling collection each Friday at the landfill on Panther Branch Road, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The following items are collected: fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, telephones, stereos, televisions and cell phones. Contact Buncombe County Solid Waste at (828) 250-5460 for more information.
E-CycleUs
- 339 Old Lyman St. Bldg #4, Asheville, NC 28801
- They take all recycling with no quantity limitations at no charge. The only exception to that is televisions and printers - they will only accept those items if they can be carried by one person, and charge a $6.00 fee for recycling.
- Hours of Operation
  - Monday - closed
  - Tuesday - Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm
  - Saturday - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Batteries Plus

1863 Hendersonville Rd

Suite 131, Asheville, NC 28803

(828) 277-6776

RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Center)

Find the recycling center nearest you by going to their website.

Goodwill Industries

Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 7pm

Items they accept:

Computer Monitors (up to 21", with glass intact)
Servers
Desktop Computers
Notebook Computers
Printers
Scanners
Fax Machines
UPS Systems
Networking Equipment
Mice & Keyboards
Cables
Computer Speakers
Digital Cameras
Cell Phones
PDAs

Another great resource is the Warren Wilson Greening Crew. The Greening crew has created a "Green Living Guide" to help students understand how to live more sustainably. It has great tips for not just college students, from what kind of computer monitor is better for the environment to how to reduce waste by what you purchase.