Cary is proud to provide convenient options to support your interests and efforts to reduce and divert waste in our community.

Recycling

Our Cary Recycles Program collects over a dozen types of materials every other week in your curbside carts and bins. Learn more about what you can recycle curbside and at the Citizen’s Convenience Center to help reduce your waste.

Electronics/Appliance Recycling

In 2000, Cary became the first municipality in the state to offer curbside collection of computers for recycling. Appliances have long been banned from the landfill. In 2011, the State of North Carolina added computers and televisions to the list.

Find out how to recycle your electronics/appliances curbside by appointment or drop them off at the Citizen's Convenience Center; fees may apply.

Used Cooking and Motor Oil Collection

Cary was the first municipality in the state to provide free, year-round curbside collection and recycling of used fats, oils and grease (FOG). Our trucks run on biodiesel generated in part by the FOG we collect from your curb. Get started on collecting FOG for pick-up.

Used motor oil and filters are banned from our landfills. The Town of Cary offers curbside pick-up for proper disposal. Get details to schedule your free pick-up.

Yard Waste

The yard waste we collect curbside and at the Citizen’s Convenience Center is turned into rich compost. We also provide annual loose-leaf and Christmas tree collection. Learn more about these services.

Composting

Want to compost your yard waste and kitchen scraps? Find composting tips, along with all of the ways that Cary supports composting at the Cary Composts page. See how composting works firsthand when you take a self-guided tour of our Compost Education Center in Bond Park. Take a crash course in home composting and receive compost for your lawn and garden at one of our free Compost Giveaway Workshops. Or get started with your own home compost bin by purchasing one through our Online Compost Bin Sale.

If backyard composting isn't a good fit for you, we now offer a Food Waste Recycling Drop-off program at the Citizens Convenience Center that provides an option for citizens to have their food scraps turned into compost in a commercial compost facility. Join this effort to keep this material out of the landfill.

Medication Disposal

Operation Medicine Drop provides a way to safely and legally dispose of unused and outdated medicines. A permanent drop-off site has been established in addition to the semi-annual drop-off event. Learn more about Operation Medicine Drop