Recycling Centers in Monroe, NC
Find drop-off recycling locations in Monroe, North Carolina. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Residents of Monroe, North Carolina can use this directory to locate nearby recycling drop-off locations. Whether you have household recyclables or specialty items like electronics or batteries, the facilities listed here can help you dispose of materials responsibly.
Recycling in Monroe: A Local Guide
Monroe is the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, and Union County operates a network of five residential waste and recycling convenience centers serving its residents. Two of those sites sit within Monroe's zip codes: the Parkwood Residential Waste & Recycling Center on Parkwood School Road and the Goldmine Road Residential Waste & Recycling Center on Goldmine Road. Both are free for Union County residents and follow the same county-wide schedule — open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Parkwood Residential Waste & Recycling Center at 3214 Parkwood School Road accepts bagged household garbage through the county's free Trash Pass program (up to 10 standard 13-gallon bags or 5 larger bags per day), loose recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, cartons, and glass), used motor oil and oil filters (5-gallon limit, residents only), and e-waste including computers, flat-panel TVs, cell phones, tablets, printers, and small appliances. Proof of Union County residency is required for garbage disposal under the Trash Pass program. As of July 1, 2025, all fee-based disposal services have moved to the Union County Landfill, so the Parkwood site now handles complimentary services only.
Goldmine Road Residential Waste & Recycling Center at 4600 Goldmine Road offers the same core services: free household garbage via Trash Pass, loose recyclables, used motor oil and filters, and electronics recycling. Like Parkwood, it accepts computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and small appliances at no charge for Union County residents. Neither site accepts yard waste, tires, construction debris, bulky furniture, or Freon-containing appliances — those must go to the Union County Landfill at 2125 Austin Chaney Road in Wingate.
Both centers are closed Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and on major holidays including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. For materials or loads outside what these sites handle, the Union County Landfill is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–noon.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Monroe
Are both Monroe recycling centers free to use?
Yes. Recycling drop-off — paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, e-waste, and used motor oil — is free for Union County residents at both the Parkwood and Goldmine Road centers. Household garbage disposal is also free through the county's Trash Pass program (up to 10 standard 13-gallon bags or 5 larger bags per day), provided you show proof of Union County residency. As of July 1, 2025, all fee-based disposal transactions have moved to the Union County Landfill.
Where can I recycle electronics in Monroe, NC?
Both the Parkwood Residential Waste & Recycling Center (3214 Parkwood School Rd) and the Goldmine Road Residential Waste & Recycling Center (4600 Goldmine Rd) accept e-waste free for Union County residents. Accepted electronics include computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, flat-panel TVs, cell phones, cameras, printers, small appliances (toasters, fans, microwaves, vacuums), video game consoles, and cables. Freon-containing appliances such as refrigerators and AC units are not accepted at either site.
What days are the Monroe recycling centers open?
Both the Parkwood and Goldmine Road centers are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. They are closed Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, as well as on major county holidays.
Can I drop off yard waste or tires at the Monroe Union County centers?
No. Neither the Parkwood nor the Goldmine Road convenience center accepts yard waste, tires, mattresses, furniture, construction debris, scrap metal, or white goods such as refrigerators and washers. These items must be taken to the Union County Landfill at 2125 Austin Chaney Road, Wingate, NC 28174, which is open Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–noon.