Rhode Island Resource Recovery / Central Landfill
Recycling Center in Johnston, Rhode Island
About This Location
The Central Landfill at 3 Shun Pike in Johnston is run by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), the state's quasi-public solid-waste and recycling authority, and it is the single disposal and recycling hub for all of Rhode Island. The East Entrance at 3 Shun Pike is the Residential Recycling Area, where residents can drop off everything from mixed recycling and oversized cardboard to scrap metal, appliances, electronics, tires, mattresses and yard debris; the West Entrance at 65 Shun Pike handles the landfill, Materials Recycling Facility and commercial loads. Hours run Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 3:45 PM, and Saturday 6:00 AM to noon. Review RIRRC's acceptance criteria and fee schedule before you go — individual residents pay commercial gate rates, and many items carry a per-unit fee. For the free Eco-Depot household hazardous waste program, an appointment is required (401-942-1430 x3241).
What Rhode Island Resource Recovery / Central Landfill Accepts
Related recycling guides: Electronics · Batteries · Tires · Appliances · Household Hazardous Waste · Mattresses · Yard Waste · Plastic
What they do not accept
The Eco-Depot household hazardous waste program does not take electronics, flares, helium tanks, or any container larger than 5 gallons — electronics go to the regular Residential Recycling Area instead. Always review RIRRC's acceptance criteria before arriving, as only specific items within each category are taken.
Fees
- Household recyclables / mixed recycling — Review the RIRRC fee schedule; individual residents pay commercial (not municipal) rates.
- Trash / solid waste — Residents pay the commercial gate rate.
- Household hazardous waste (Eco-Depot) — Free for RI residents, by appointment.
Access & restrictions
Open to the public · The Johnston Residential Recycling Area (East Entrance, 3 Shun Pike) is open to the public; individual residents pay commercial gate rates rather than municipal rates. The free Eco-Depot household hazardous waste program is for Rhode Island residents and requires an appointment (401-942-1430 x3241 or EcoDepotRI.org). Review accepted materials and pricing before arriving.
Programs & events
- Eco-Depot household hazardous waste — Free HHW collection for RI residents, by appointment. Vehicle-based drop-off (stay in your car); roughly 19 collection events per year statewide. Accepts automotive fluids, gasoline, propane tanks, pesticides, pool chemicals and other labeled hazardous products.
- Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) — State MRF at the West Entrance (65 Shun Pike) processes Rhode Island's mixed recycling stream.
Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I drop off at the Johnston Residential Recycling Area?
RIRRC's drop-off page lists mixed recycling, oversized cardboard, scrap metal, appliances, electronics, tires, motor oil and filters, cooking oil, antifreeze, batteries, bulky rigid plastics, plastic bags & film, textiles, books/media, shredded paper and solid waste at 3 Shun Pike, with mattresses and leaf/yard debris taken in other areas of the facility.
What are the hours?
The Central Landfill and residential drop-off are open Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 3:45 PM, and Saturday 6:00 AM to noon, except holidays. It is closed Sunday.
Do I have to pay to drop things off?
Many items carry a fee. RIRRC notes that individual residents pay commercial gate rates rather than municipal rates, so review the acceptance criteria and fee schedule at rirrc.org/about/accepted-materials-pricing before you go. Household hazardous waste through Eco-Depot is free for RI residents.
How do I dispose of household hazardous waste like paint or pesticides?
Use RIRRC's free Eco-Depot program. Appointments are required — call 401-942-1430 x3241 or visit EcoDepotRI.org. Eco-Depot takes automotive fluids, gasoline, propane tanks, pesticides and pool chemicals, but not electronics, flares, helium tanks or containers over 5 gallons.
Which entrance do I use?
The East Entrance at 3 Shun Pike is the Residential Recycling Area for household drop-off. The West Entrance at 65 Shun Pike is for the Central Landfill, the Materials Recycling Facility and commercial loads.
Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.