Cary Recycling Drop-Off Site

Recycling Center in Cary, North Carolina

📍 313 North Dixon Avenue, Cary, NC 27513
♻️
📞 +1 919-469-4090 🌐 Visit Website 🗺 Get Directions

About This Location

The Cary Recycling Drop-Off Site — officially the Citizen's Convenience Center — is a manned, Town-operated facility at 313 N. Dixon Avenue in downtown Cary where residents who pay the monthly sanitation fee can drop off household garbage, recycling, yard waste, and food scraps seven days a week without driving to a county landfill. Appliances and electronics are also accepted for a fee. Important: the Town has announced that starting January 1, 2027, public access will be reduced to food and yard waste drop-off only, because most of the site sits within the North Carolina Railroad right-of-way where federally funded rail improvements are planned. All current services continue through December 31, 2026.

What Cary Recycling Drop-Off Site Accepts

✓ Residential solid waste (bagged household garbage) (For Cary residents paying monthly sanitation fees; useful for excess garbage that will not fit in the curbside cart.)
✓ Residential recycling (Accepted through December 31, 2026. Place items loose — no bags.)
✓ Yard waste (Accepted at no charge; must meet the Center's size limitations. Contractors are not permitted to use this site.)
✓ Food scraps (Cary Composts drop-off) (Raw and cooked food: fruits, vegetables, eggs and eggshells, solid dairy, breads, baked goods, meat, bones, grains; also coffee grounds, paper filters, tea bags (no plastic), food-soiled napkins/paper towels, non-glossy paper plates, BPI-certified compostable items, pizza boxes, and dry or wet pet food.)
✓ Appliances / white goods (Accepted for recycling; disposal fees apply (normal fee collection has resumed).)
✓ Electronics (e-waste) (Accepted; disposal fees apply (normal fee collection has resumed).)

Related recycling guides: Electronics · Appliances · Yard Waste

What they do not accept

✕ Contractor / commercial yard waste
✕ Metal cans, plastic bags/packaging, and liquids/fats/oil/grease (in the food waste stream)

Contractors may not use the Convenience Center and must use a commercial yard-waste disposal facility. The food-waste (compost) stream excludes metal cans, plastic bags/packaging, and liquids/FOG.

Fees

  • Household garbage, recycling, yard waste, food waste — No charge for residents (covered by the monthly sanitation fee)
  • Appliances (white goods) and electronics — Disposal fees apply; normal fee collection has resumed

Access & restrictions

Residents only (proof may be required) · Walk-in (no appointment) · Provided for Town of Cary residents who pay monthly sanitation fees. Commercial interests and contractors are not permitted. The site is manned and staff direct you to the appropriate bin.

Programs & events

  • Cary Composts — Residential food-waste drop-off program hosted at the Convenience Center, accepting raw and cooked food scraps and BPI-certified compostables.

Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this site open to everyone, or Cary residents only?

It is provided for Town of Cary residents who pay the monthly sanitation fee. Commercial interests and contractors are not permitted to use the site.

What are the hours?

Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, through December 31, 2026.

Is the site closing? What happens after January 1, 2027?

It remains fully open through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, only food and yard waste drop-off will be available, because most of the site sits within the North Carolina Railroad right-of-way where federally funded rail improvements are planned. For other materials after that date, use Wake County Convenience Centers.

Do they charge a fee for appliances or electronics?

Yes. Appliances (white goods) and electronics carry disposal fees, and the Town has resumed normal fee collection for these items. Household garbage, recycling, yard waste, and food waste drop-off are free for residents.

Can I drop off food scraps here?

Yes. The Cary Composts drop-off at this site accepts raw and cooked food scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, food-soiled paper towels and napkins, non-glossy paper plates, BPI-certified compostable items, pizza boxes, and dry or wet pet food. Metal cans, plastic bags, and liquids/grease are not accepted in this stream.

Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.

Other Recycling Centers in Cary

Recycling Centers Near Cary

Contact & Location

📍
Address
313 North Dixon Avenue, Cary, NC 27513
📞
🌐
Website
carync.gov
🏙
City / State
Cary, North Carolina

Opening Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location Map

📍 Open in Google Maps
← All centers in Cary