HICKORY — Catawba County’s spring residential household hazardous waste collection is Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds, 1 American Legion Avenue in Newton, the City of Hickory said April 28, 2026.
The city said the event is free and open only to Catawba County residents. High volumes are expected, so waits are likely. Trailers are not allowed.
Accepted household waste listed includes drain, toilet, oven, disinfectant, and pine cleaners; latex and oil-based paints, spray paints, solvents, thinners, shellacs, varnishes, wood preservatives, and sealers; lead-acid batteries, used motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and auto starter fluid; pesticides, insecticides, and aerosols; acids, bases, kerosene, household batteries, photographic and pool chemicals, propane cylinders, fluorescent tubes, and mercury thermometers; computer monitors, intact televisions, laptops, drives, ink and toner, modems, phones, answering machines, CD and tape players, calculators, copiers, duplicators, microwaves, electronic typewriters, pagers, radios, remote controls, scanners, stereos, and VCRs; medications and prescription drugs (not sharps or needles); clean Styrofoam and packaging foam (no bendable foam, sheet foam, compostable peanuts, or home insulation); and plastic bags.
Not accepted: oxygen or acetylene tanks, tires, sharps or needles, firearms, ammunition, explosives, and business waste.
The county contracts with certified companies to handle and secure what is collected. Paint (no spray cans), electronics, and household batteries are accepted year-round at no charge at Blackburn Landfill, 4017 Rocky Ford Road in Newton, during regular hours.
The one-day event is from Catawba County Utilities & Engineering and the City of Hickory. Questions go to Utilities & Engineering at 828-465-8217 or www.catawbacountync.gov.
The April 28 notice does not list a vehicle cap, a rain date, or how much waste the 2025 spring event took in.
Official release from City of Hickory, April 28, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/catawba-county-household-hazardous-waste-collection-event-set-may-2
