About Us

Responsibilities

The Department of Environmental Management oversees the operations of the Landfill, Recycling Processing Center, various convenience center sites throughout the county, as well as community outreach programs.

Rowan County Landfill Sign

Landfill


The landfill is located at 789 Campbell Road, Woodleaf, NC.

Wastes Accepted

Solid Waste & Construction/Demolition Waste 


$34 per ton ($39 Out of County) plus a $2 per ton North Carolina solid waste disposal tax. The landfill accepts any waste generated by Rowan County residents and businesses. Any large quantities of out-of-county waste accepted must be approved by the Director of Environmental Management prior to disposal. No hazardous waste, medical waste, liquids, or automotive batteries are accepted at Rowan County's landfill.


Scrap Metal


There is no charge for scrap metal including appliances such as washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. and any other scrap metal.


Tires

Up to 5 tires per household are accepted at no charge. Please call to get approval to bring tires to the landfill. Large quantities of tires or tires on rims may be subject to additional processing fees.


All items being brought to the landfill must be covered and/or secured on the vehicle before coming or access will be denied.


History

The Rowan County Solid Waste Landfill has been in operation since December 1989. It is a 415-ton per day landfill. The landfill has a life expectancy of 50 plus years at our current disposal rates.


The landfill is constructed on a clay liner and a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner that protects the groundwater from being contaminated by the solid waste. Any fluid that drains through the landfill is collected and held in a lagoon. It is then pumped to a waste water facility for treatment. The landfill is self-supporting and does not operate from Rowan County taxes.


In 1989, Environmental Management was underway closing the old landfill and constructing the new Subtitle-D Landfill on Campbell Road in Woodleaf. This landfill was one of the first built in the state that met the new State requirements that allowed for the protection of the soil and groundwater around the area. At this time Rowan County, also, established the recycling program with the addition of staffed convenience centers. Rowan County was one of the first to implement recycling for its citizens in the state.

Enterprise Fund

The Rowan County Enterprise Fund is a self sustaining-program that operates entirely by revenues generated within the program. Unlike other counties across the state of North Carolina, Rowan County does not charge household solid waste/recycling program availability fees. The Rowan County Landfill Enterprise fund relies on the surplus revenue generated from landfill tipping fees to fund non-landfill waste diversion activities such as North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) landfill bans and Recycling Services. The fund has also made possible the program dedicated to help roadside litter across Rowan County.

Gas Collection & Control System


The Rowan County Landfill has installed a landfill gas collection and control system which allow us to:

  • Eliminate nuisance landfill gas odors.
  • Be constant with our compliance initiatives.
  • Evaluate the potential for future landfill gas-to-energy projects.
Gas collection system