Electronics Recycling · Raleigh, NC
Small Appliance Recycling in Raleigh
Before you go
Small appliances mostly come down to whether there's a battery or a heating element inside.
Check for a built-in battery
Cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes, shavers, and anything rechargeable have a lithium or NiMH cell inside. Many sites want the battery out, or want the item on the battery line rather than the scrap line.
Cut nothing, but do coil the cord
Leave the cord attached, since the copper is part of what makes it worth recycling, but coil and tie it so it doesn't tangle with everything else in the bin.
Empty the water and the crumbs
Kettles, coffee makers, and steam irons hold water. Toasters hold a surprising amount of debris. Both make a mess of a collection bin.
Separate anything with a screen
A smart display, a tablet-based kitchen device, or anything with an LCD is electronics rather than small-appliance scrap, and often has its own drop-off.
Compare options
Small Appliance Recycling in Raleigh
2 free · 1 fee-based
| Facility | Cost | Open now | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility(919) 856-7400 | Free |
||
| South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility(919) 856-7400 | Free |
||
| Paid or fee-based options | |||
| Best Buy | Free for most |
||
How it works in Raleigh
Small appliances like microwaves, toasters, vacuums, and coffee makers can be dropped off free at Anything With A Plug Recycling (919-610-3465), which accepts any plug-in item. The North Wake and South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facilities also accept small appliances under the residential scrap-metal program. Items with built-in batteries (cordless vacuums, electric toothbrushes) should have batteries removed first and dropped at Call2Recycle network locations. Small appliances are not specifically named in NC G.S. 130A-309.10, but the local scrap-metal market makes recycling the better option than the trash.
Local rules
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 bans computers, monitors, printers, and televisions from NC landfills, effective July 1, 2011 (Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management Law, SB 887 / S.L. 2010-67).
Worth knowing
- Raleigh garbage customers get free curbside e-waste pickup (max 4 items/week) at 919-996-3245 — a widely overlooked option that beats hauling TVs to the county facility.
- Raleigh's bulky/special pickup fees rose April 1, 2026: $35/load for bulky and $70/load for special. E-waste pickup remains free.
Wake County household hazardous waste
Wake County Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
Free HHW disposal for Wake County residents.
14 more Raleigh rules, not specific to this item
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 bans lithium-ion batteries from landfill disposal effective December 1, 2026.
- NC G.S. 130A-309.70 prohibits disposal of lead-acid batteries in landfills, incinerators, or waste-to-energy facilities; retailers selling lead-acid batteries must accept used ones for recycling.
- City of Raleigh stormwater rules: oil-based paint, paint cleaner, and paint waste may not be disposed in the sanitary sewer or stormwater system (latex wash water is allowed in sanitary sewer only).
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10 also bans motor oil, motor-vehicle oil filters, antifreeze, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles from landfill disposal in NC.
- NC G.S. 130A-309.10(f), as amended by SL 2023-137: expands the NC landfill disposal ban to include photovoltaic modules (solar panels) effective December 1, 2026.
- Wake County Solid Waste Ordinance (Chapter 65): establishes operating rules for all county solid waste facilities, sets fees for non-resident use, and prohibits commercial waste dumping at residential facilities.
- Wake County's three HHW sites run completely different schedules: South Wake (Apex) is the only Mon-Sat site, North Wake (Raleigh) is Saturday only, and East Wake (Wendell) is weekends only. Showing up on the wrong day is a common mistake.
- The North Wake HHW main storage building was destroyed in a January 22, 2025 fire; same-day Saturday collection runs at an adjacent building under a temporary state permit while a replacement is planned.
- PaintCare does not operate in North Carolina — the program is only in 12 states plus DC, so NC residents have no producer-funded paint takeback network and must use HHW facilities or dry-and-trash latex paint.
- Motor oil, antifreeze, and used oil filters are not accepted at HHW sites — they go to the Multi-Material Recycling Facilities instead, a frequent point of confusion.
- Wake County allows small amounts of fully dried latex paint (mixed with kitty litter or sand until solid) in regular household trash; only larger amounts or oil-based paint require HHW (10-gallon paint limit per visit).
- Wake County requires all solid waste disposed at its Transfer Station to be covered (tarped) during transport, and loads must have a cover or else face a $50 per load penalty.
- Residents who want to dispose of large appliances (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) must have the refrigerant removed and tagged by a certified technician before schedule pickup or drop-off.
- The City of Raleigh's green yard waste cart program accepts leaves, grass clippings, and brush up to 6 inches in diameter — but not dirt, rocks, or treated lumber.
Other Raleigh programs
- Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (MMRFs)Electronics with cords (TVs, computers, monitors, phones, game consoles, microwaves, printers), large appliances, scrap metal, motor oil/antifreeze, cooking oil, cardboard. North Wake MMRF at 9029 Deponie Drive (next door to the HHW facility); South Wake MMRF at 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex; East Wake MMRF at 5051 Wendell Blvd.
- Wake County Household Hazardous Waste FacilitiesThree HHW facilities accepting oil-based paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, acids/bases, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and medications. South Wake (6130 Old Smithfield Rd, Apex, Mon-Sat 8AM-4PM); North Wake (9037 Deponie Dr, Raleigh, Sat only 8AM-4PM); East Wake (5051 Wendell Blvd, Wendell, Sat-Sun 8AM-4PM).
- City of Raleigh curbside e-waste collectionFree scheduled curbside e-waste pickup for City of Raleigh garbage customers; max 4 electronic items per week; accepts TVs (working or broken), monitors, computers, small corded appliances.919-996-3245
- City of Raleigh Yard Waste & Bulky Item CollectionCurbside yard waste collection (bags, cans) on designated service days. Bulky item pickup (furniture, appliances) available for a fee: $35/load for bulky items (furniture, mattresses), $70/load for special items (appliances with refrigerant). E-waste pickup remains free.919-996-3245
- Call2Recycle drop-off networkFree rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples locations across the Raleigh area.
- Batteries Plus — Raleigh locationsFree recycling for rechargeable and single-use batteries plus fluorescent bulbs/tubes at Raleigh-area Batteries Plus stores. Also accepts small electronics (phones, tablets) and ballasts for recycling.
- NC Department of Justice shred-event calendarStatewide listing of free community paper-shredding events; Raleigh-area events typically cluster in April-May and September-October at banks, credit unions, and police stations.
- Wake County Convenience Centers (weekend HHW collection sites)Two weekend-only collection sites for residents unable to visit the main HHW facilities during the week. Accept HHW items including paint, pesticides, and automotive fluids. Saturday-Sunday 8AM-4PM at select locations.
Where this came from: 14 sources
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/household-hazardous-waste-facilities (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/multi-material-recycling-facilities/north-wake-multi-material-recycling-facility (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/news/wake-county-offers-temporary-plan-collect-household-hazardous-waste-raleigh (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/services/bulky-special-and-e-waste-collection (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/news/how-safely-dispose-batteries (opens in a new tab)
- raleighnc.gov/stormwater/dont-dump-paint (opens in a new tab)
- www.deq.nc.gov/conservation/recycling/electronics/house-holds (opens in a new tab)
- www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_130A/GS_130A-309.70.html (opens in a new tab)
- www.paintcare.org/paintcare-states (opens in a new tab)
- locations.call2recycle.org/nc/raleigh (opens in a new tab)
- ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers/identity-theft/nc-shred-events (opens in a new tab)
- www.wake.gov/departments-government/waste-recycling/facilities/waste-recycling-operations (opens in a new tab)
- www.batteriesplus.com/recycling (opens in a new tab)
- www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
About Small Appliance Recycling here
How much does Small Appliance recycling cost in this area?
2 of 3 facilities (67%) offer free recycling for Small Appliance. Facilities that may charge: Best Buy. Best Buy: Free (most items). $30 fee for TVs under 50"..
Do I need an appointment for Small Appliance drop-off?
No appointment needed. North Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility, Best Buy accept walk-ins.
Is pickup available for Small Appliance?
Most facilities require you to drop off Small Appliance. Check individual listings for special arrangements.
Are there quantity limits for Small Appliance drop-off?
Some facilities have limits: South Wake Multi-Material Recycling Facility: 10 gallon latex paint limit; Best Buy: 3 items per day per household.