Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center

Mecklenburg County’s full-service center on Pence Road, now turning away yard waste loads over 3 cubic yards.

Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center is at 8007 Pence Road in Charlotte. Its hours are Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it is closed Sunday. As the site approaches capacity, it temporarily takes no yard waste loads over 3 cubic yards, and the county sends larger loads to Compost Central. Trailers are limited to 12 feet and trees to 24 inches in diameter.

Serves: Charlotte trash pickup and drop-off rules.

What this center takes and what it does not

Hickory Grove takes the county’s full-service list: household trash, recyclables, plastic bags and film, bulky waste, appliances, electronics, household hazardous waste, tires and mattresses, with the limits shown in the fields. It also takes residential food scraps for composting; with Compost Central, it was one of the first two centers to take them, starting in January 2025.

Its size limits are tighter than at Compost Central and Foxhole:

Yard waste: loads of 3 cubic yards or less for now, and trees up to 24 inches in diameter. Compost Central and Foxhole take trees up to 48 inches.
Trailers: 12 feet or less for bulky and construction waste, as at North Mecklenburg; longer vehicles are redirected. Compost Central takes trailers up to 16 feet.

It does not take business hazardous material, explosives, ammunition or radioactive items.

About this site

Hickory Grove sells bulk and bagged mulch and compost, but compost orders over 10 cubic yards must go to Compost Central at 140 Valleydale Road. The county has held free food scrap bin giveaways here. Its solid waste projects page lists no planned project work at Hickory Grove.

Rules at every Mecklenburg County full-service center

All four full-service centers are for Mecklenburg County residents with a blue entry sticker, which is free with a driver’s license or other proof of residence. The county keeps the fees, load limits and holiday closures on its Where can I recycle page; its phone is 980-314-3867.

Type: Recycling and drop-off center
State: North Carolina
City: Charlotte
Address: 8007 Pence Road, Charlotte, NC 28215
Hours: Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday
Who can use it: Mecklenburg County residents with a blue entry sticker, free with a driver's license or other proof of residence; non-residents may buy an annual sticker
Fees: Up to five bags of household trash a day and household hazardous waste free for county residents; fees for bulky waste, construction debris and yard waste, with mixed loads charged at the construction debris rate; debit cards and most credit cards except American Express, no cash or checks; a business card or business vehicle pays the business rate
Takes: Household trash (five bags a day free), recyclables, plastic bags and film, shredded paper, clean white foam, extra cardboard, yard waste (root balls smaller than a basketball; trees up to 24 inches in diameter; loads over 3 cubic yards temporarily not accepted), bulky waste, appliances, electronics (two pieces of computer equipment), household hazardous waste, paint up to 100 pounds, motor oil up to 20 gallons a day, antifreeze up to 20 gallons, gasoline up to 10 gallons a day, one propane tank up to 20 pounds free, rechargeable batteries, five tires, one mattress and one box spring, and residential food scraps
Does not take: Business hazardous material, explosives, ammunition and radioactive items
Run by: Mecklenburg County
Phone: 980-314-3867
Official website: wipeoutwaste.mecknc.gov
Primary source: wipeoutwaste.mecknc.gov
Last verified: September 23, 2026

Questions

Can I bring a truckload of yard waste to Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center?

Not over 3 cubic yards for now. The county sends larger loads to Compost Central at 140 Valleydale Road.

How long a trailer can I bring to Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center?

12 feet or less for bulky and construction waste. Longer vehicles are redirected.

Does Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center take food scraps?

Yes, residential food scraps for composting.

Sources

Sources and corrections

Every site’s address, hours, fees and rules come from the official page of the city, county or authority that runs it, linked at the foot of the site’s page. Spotted a change? Report a correction.