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New Hanover County Landfill sits off US-421 just outside Wilmington and is where most household and commercial trash ends up for burial. Locals and small haulers use it for larger cleanouts and construction debris, so expect a working, no-frills place rather than anything pretty.
Drive up to a weigh scale and booth on the way in; the facility charges tipping fees based on weight and type of material, so vehicles are weighed going in and out. Pull up to the drop-off area indicated by traffic flow and signs, then dump where the heavy equipment has cleared space - the site is big with dirt roads and visible lined cells. There are separate areas for some recyclables and bulky items off to the side, and commercial trucks are handled alongside residential drop-offs, so you’ll see everything from pickups to roll-offs.
Facility Information
Before You Go
- Bring help to unload heavier items; slopes and mounds mean some dropping points are higher than a driveway.
- Secure loads before driving in - loose debris blows around and there are attendants who may direct traffic.
- Go midweek if possible; weekends and spring cleanups get the longest lines and slower traffic through the scales.
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