By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY – As the holidays wind down, some may be wondering what to do with old Christmas trees, electronics and other items needing disposal.

There are eight different solid waste and recycling convenience centers in Rowan County. Caleb Sinclair, recycling operator, said the centers accept corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and electronic items.

The centers also accept plastic bottles and jugs with a No. 1 or 2 recycling code on the item.

If you were lucky enough to receive a new television for Christmas this year and need to get rid of your old one, the center at 1102 N. Long St. in East Spencer is the only location accepting television sets free of charge.

The location at 1455 Julian Road is the only center accepting unwanted live Christmas trees free of charge from Jan. 3 to Jan. 31.

Artificial trees would just be trash.

Sinclair said most wrapping paper is recyclable, but wrapping paper that is metallic or waxy should be thrown away. Paper that came in direct contact with food should also be thrown away, along with ribbons and bows.

Though Christmas tree lights may seem like an electronic item, Sinclair said they are not good for the machines at the center so just put them in the trash if they need to be thrown away.

In Salisbury specifically, crew leader Brandon Wilhelm said Waste Pro can take pretty much everything except paint cans and Styrofoam.

As of Wednesday, collections are on schedule. Wilhelm said to put unwanted Christmas trees out on the curb as you would tree limbs and expect it to be picked up on the usual limb pick-up schedule.

Some may choose to sink their unwanted Christmas trees in High Rock Lake, a “fairly common practice” according to North Carolina Wildlife Rowan County area Sgt. Tony Sharum.

He said people like to sink them in various location to make a habitat for fish, usually crappie, so they can have a place to fish later in the year.

Sharum said as long as the trees do not have any debris on them, like tinsel or lights, or create a hazard for navigation, there’s no problem with sinking the trees.

Rowan County solid waste and recycling convenience centers:

Rock Grove Site
255 Rock Grove Church Road
China Grove, NC
Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Julian Road Site
1455 Julian Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
Open: Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Dunn’s Mtn. Rd. Site
1735 Dunns’ Mt Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Providence Site
1985 Providence Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
Open: Monday only 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Woodleaf Site
665 Campbell Road
Woodleaf, NC 27054
Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Goodnight Road Site
3282 Goodnight Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Stokes Ferry Road Site 
8835 Stokes Ferry Road
Gold Hill, NC 27071
Open: Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recycling Processing Center
1102 N. Long St.
East Spencer, NC 28039
Hours: Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Call 704-216-8589 for more information.

To contact the Salisbury Public Services Department, call 704-638-5260.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.