Buncombe County Waste Disposal Facilities: Landfill, Transfer Station & Recycling
Choosing the correct disposal route depends on the material, how much of it there is, your vehicle or load, whether it needs recycling or special handling, and current facility rules. This guide explains how Buncombe County's own facilities work — it isn't operated by or affiliated with any specific dumpster rental business, including ours.
Where Does Waste Go in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County operates a Landfill in Alexander and a Transfer Station in Asheville. Depending on the material, waste may be routed through municipal solid waste, construction and demolition (C&D), recycling, wood waste, concrete/brick/block recycling, household hazardous waste (HHW), or other special programs — each with its own rules. The right destination depends on what the material actually is and current facility guidance. Note that this describes the County's own system; which route a specific dumpster company actually uses for your debris is provider-specific and isn't stated here.
Landfill vs. Transfer Station — What's the Difference?
Landfill
A final disposal and recycling facility with multiple distinct material areas — municipal solid waste, C&D, white goods, wood waste, concrete/brick/block, and HHW among them.
Transfer Station
A facility where waste and recyclables are received and handled through its available programs. Whether every item entering the Transfer Station ultimately ends up at the Landfill isn't something independently verified here.
At-a-Glance Local Facility Comparison
| Facility | Location | Current Hours | Useful For | Important Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County Landfill | 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander, NC 28701 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–12:30 PM; closed Sunday | MSW, C&D, white goods, wood waste, concrete/brick/block, HHW events | Long-unload loads must arrive by 4:00 PM weekdays / noon Saturday |
| Buncombe County Transfer Station | 190 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28801 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | Solid waste, recyclables, tires, batteries, textiles, residential sharps | Brush, clean concrete, monitors, motor oil, TVs, and wood waste route to the Landfill instead |
Buncombe County Landfill
Address: 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander, NC 28701
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM–12:30 PM, closed Sunday. Weekday loads that take more than 30 minutes to unload must be in the landfill by 4:00 PM; Saturday loads needing more than 30 minutes must be in by noon.
The Landfill maintains separate facility areas, each with its own material rules:
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
White Goods Recycling
Wood Waste Recycling
Construction & Demolition (C&D)
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Concrete, Brick & Block Recycling
Different areas have different material rules — being accepted in one area doesn't mean the same material is handled the same way elsewhere on-site.
Buncombe County Transfer Station
Address: 190 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28801
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM.
Current recycling and handling options at the Transfer Station include categories such as:
Lead-acid batteries
Newspaper
Corrugated cardboard
White goods
Automotive tires
Textiles
Co-mingled recyclables
Residential sharps (see below)
What the Transfer Station Doesn't Handle Through That Route
Current County guidance directs the following categories to the Landfill rather than the Transfer Station:
Brush
Clean concrete
Computer monitors
Motor oil
Televisions
Wood waste
This doesn't mean the Transfer Station only accepts household garbage — it has multiple recycling functions, as shown above. These specific categories are simply directed to the Landfill instead.
Construction & Demolition Waste
C&D debris — lumber, drywall, roofing, fixtures, and general renovation or demolition material — has a dedicated area at the Buncombe County Landfill. This doesn't mean all construction debris is automatically accepted without qualification; contamination and material-specific restrictions may apply.
See our construction & renovation dumpster rental page · See the full materials guide
Concrete, Brick & Block
The Landfill maintains a separate concrete/brick/block recycling area. Notably, the Transfer Station's own guidance specifically states that clean concrete is not accepted there and is instead routed to the Landfill — a useful local distinction if you're planning where to take it. This doesn't mean every mixed-material concrete load automatically qualifies for the recycling route; confirm requirements before hauling.
Wood & Yard Material
The Landfill identifies a Wood Waste Recycling area, and County information separately categorizes untreated wood, limbs, and yard material for specific disposal and routing. This isn't a blanket statement that all yard waste is accepted everywhere — categories and conditions can vary.
See our yard waste & storm debris pageWhite Goods / Appliances
The County maintains white-goods recycling options covering items such as stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners, and freezers. Refrigerant removal is a job for a qualified technician, not a DIY step, and whether a specific dumpster provider accepts appliances in a rental container is a separate question to ask them directly.
Electronics
Electronics have dedicated recycling and handling rules locally. Some categories — such as computer monitors and televisions — are specifically directed to the Landfill rather than the Transfer Station, as noted above. Current fees and program rules for electronics can change; confirm before your trip.
See the full materials guideTires
The County offers dedicated tire-handling and recycling options through the Transfer Station. This page doesn't reproduce a full quantity or fee table — check current quantity limits and any applicable fees with the County before your visit.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Paint, chemicals, and similar household hazardous waste are handled through the County's applicable TV/Paint/Household Hazardous Waste collection programming — not as a walk-in option available anytime. The program covers categories such as pesticides, automotive fluids, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, gasoline/kerosene, and paint or paint-related products. No hazardous waste from businesses is accepted through the residential household program. Check the current County schedule before assuming availability on a given day — schedules aren't reproduced as fixed content here since they change.
See the full materials guideResidential Sharps
The Transfer Station currently provides a residential household sharps-disposal option for items like needles and lancets, when properly contained under County guidance. Businesses and medical facilities are not permitted to use that residential area — this is separate from the fact that the Buncombe County Landfill does not accept non-infectious medical waste; the two statements describe different facilities and programs, not a contradiction. This page doesn't provide medical guidance on sharps handling — follow current County instructions for proper containment.
Current Facility Rate Snapshot
| Facility | Item | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Landfill | 33-gallon bag | $2 per bag |
| Landfill | Smaller than 33-gallon bag | $1 per bag |
| Landfill | Pickup truck, van, or small trailer | $53.50/ton, $10 minimum |
| Transfer Station | 33-gallon household bag | $2 per bag |
| Transfer Station | Smaller bag | $1 per bag |
| Transfer Station | Loads under 380 lb | $12 minimum |
| Transfer Station — Commercial/Franchise Hauler Rate | Per ton, subject to material-content conditions | $63.50/ton |
Rates shown are effective as of July 1, 2026, per the County. Rates can change — verify directly with Buncombe County before visiting. These are facility disposal rates for self-haulers, not dumpster rental prices.
Facility Fee vs. Dumpster Rental Price
County tipping and disposal fees are not the same thing as what you'd pay to rent a dumpster. A dumpster rental quote can also involve the container itself, delivery, pickup, the rental period, transportation, an included weight allowance, and the provider's own overhead and policies. Don't use the County's per-ton facility rate as an expected dumpster rental price — they answer different questions.
See the full dumpster cost & pricing guideSecure Your Load
All loads passing through Buncombe County solid-waste facilities must be covered and secure. This page doesn't provide detailed cargo-securement instructions — self-haulers should follow current County requirements and applicable road-safety rules for their vehicle and load.
Which Facility Should I Use?
Based on current County guidance — for self-haul and facility planning purposes, not as an absolute provider disposal chart:
| Material | Current County Route to Check |
|---|---|
| Ordinary household waste | Landfill or Transfer Station |
| C&D debris | Landfill (C&D area) |
| Clean concrete | Landfill (concrete/brick/block area) |
| Wood / brush | Landfill (Wood Waste Recycling) |
| White goods | Landfill or Transfer Station white-goods recycling |
| Electronics / TVs | Landfill (monitors/TVs specifically) |
| HHW (paint, chemicals) | Applicable HHW collection events only |
| Residential sharps | Transfer Station residential sharps area |
Self-Hauling vs. Renting a Dumpster
Self-Hauling May Involve
- A suitable vehicle or trailer
- Securing the load
- A trip to the correct facility
- Unloading yourself
- The facility fee
- Multiple trips for larger volumes
Dumpster Rental May Involve
- Delivery to your property
- Placement space
- Loading over time yourself
- Pickup arranged with the provider
- The provider's own rental pricing
Neither is universally better — it depends on volume, vehicle access, and how much time you want to spend on trips versus loading. Compare your options in detail.
Does Your Dumpster Company Use These Facilities?
Don't assume it. A dumpster hauler may use different facilities, transfer routes, recycling partners, or specialized disposal routes depending on the material, their contracts, the specific provider, and applicable regulations. The fact that Buncombe County operates these facilities doesn't establish which route any particular provider — including ours — actually uses for your debris.
Before Visiting a County Facility
Identify the material
Know exactly what you're bringing.
Verify the correct facility
Landfill or Transfer Station, based on the material.
Check current hours
Hours can differ by day and facility.
Check current rates
Confirm before you arrive, not after.
Check special program schedules
Especially for HHW and similar programs.
Separate recyclable/special material
Where applicable to your load.
Secure your load
Covered and secure, as required.
Confirm quantity/vehicle rules
Some categories have limits.
Check for temporary status notices
Wait times or closures can change.
Address Clarification
Buncombe County's facility directory and recycling guidance list the Landfill/Convenience Center at 85 Panther Branch Road. Other County Solid Waste contact information displays 81 Panther Branch Road, so visitors should confirm current directions with Buncombe County before traveling.
- Buncombe County Landfill facility85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander, NC 28701
- Buncombe County Transfer Station190 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28801
Hours, rates, accepted materials, program dates, and temporary operating conditions can change. Verify current Buncombe County Solid Waste information before making a trip. This guide is informational, not the official County website.
Buncombe County Disposal FAQ
Where is the Buncombe County Landfill?
The County's facility directory and recycling guidance list it at 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander, NC 28701. Some County Solid Waste contact information displays 81 Panther Branch Road instead, so confirm current directions with the County before traveling.
Where is the Buncombe County Transfer Station?
190 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28801.
What is the difference between the landfill and transfer station?
The Landfill is a final disposal and recycling facility with multiple distinct material areas. The Transfer Station receives and handles waste and recyclables through its own available programs. See the comparison above for details.
What are the current landfill hours?
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM; closed Sunday. Long-unload loads have earlier cutoff times — verify current hours with the County before visiting.
Does the Transfer Station accept construction debris?
C&D debris has a dedicated area at the Landfill rather than the Transfer Station. See our construction dumpster page for project-planning context.
Where can I take clean concrete in Buncombe County?
The Landfill has a dedicated concrete/brick/block recycling area; the Transfer Station's own guidance specifically routes clean concrete to the Landfill instead.
Where can I take yard or wood waste?
The Landfill has a Wood Waste Recycling area, and brush is also specifically routed there rather than the Transfer Station. See our yard waste page for related planning.
Where can I dispose of paint or chemicals?
Paint and chemicals are handled only through the County's applicable Household Hazardous Waste collection programming, not as a general walk-in option. Check the current County schedule for upcoming events.
Can I take electronics to the Transfer Station?
Some electronics can be handled through County recycling options, but computer monitors and televisions are specifically directed to the Landfill rather than the Transfer Station.
Where can Buncombe County residents dispose of sharps?
The Transfer Station provides a residential sharps-disposal option for properly contained items like needles and lancets. Businesses and medical facilities can't use that residential program.
Are County landfill fees the same as dumpster rental prices?
No. County tipping fees are self-haul disposal rates for bringing your own load to the facility. A dumpster rental quote covers a different set of things — the container, delivery, pickup, rental period, and more. See our cost guide.
Does a dumpster company automatically use the Buncombe County Landfill?
No, this isn't something to assume. Providers may use different facilities, transfer routes, or recycling partners depending on the material and their own arrangements — this page doesn't state which route any specific provider uses.
This guide uses current Buncombe County Solid Waste, Landfill, Transfer Station, and facility-directory information reviewed in September 2026. Official County information controls if details change. This site is not affiliated with or operated by Buncombe County. See our editorial policy and disclaimer for more.
Planning a Cleanup or Dumpster Project?
If you're considering a dumpster rental instead of self-hauling, describe your material and project so provider-specific acceptance and quote details can be discussed.