Solid Waste Transfer Station Fact Sheet

What is a transfer station?
A transfer station is a site where trash is collected and reloaded into trucks for transport to a landfill. Greensboro’s transfer station takes trash that is collected from homes and businesses by City garbage trucks, private companies, and residents, and reloads it into tractor-trailers that transport it to the Uwharrie Regional Landfill in Mt. Gilead, NC.

Why don’t we use the White Street Landfill for our solid waste?
In July 2001, City Council voted to close the White Street Landfill to solid waste - even though space is still available – and pursue an alternate disposal site. This decision was in response to ongoing complaints from residents about the landfill’s appearance, odors, and truck traffic, as well as the fact that two wastewater treatment plants have been located in Greensboro’s northeast section. Council then looked at options for trash disposal and held public hearings to get resident input. After reviewing the costs and environmental impacts of the different options, Council voted in February 2003 to build a City-owned transfer station at 6310 Burnt Poplar Road. Listen to Mayor Keith Holliday's remarks during the Transfer Station grand opening.

Tell me more about the new Transfer Station.
Construction of the transfer station began in August 2005 and was finished in September 2006 at a cost of $8 million. It is located on a 9.4-acre site. The main building is about 36,000 square feet and the scale building is 400 square feet. Designed by HDR Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas and constructed by Laughlin-Sutton Construction Inc., the transfer station can process up to 1,200 tons of trash per day.

The transfer station is staffed by City employees who load collected trash into tractor-trailer trucks operated by Hilco Transport Inc. of Greensboro. Hilco transports the trash 73 miles and unloads it at the Uwharrie Landfill which is operated by Republic Services. Republic Services and Hilco Transport were chosen through a competitive bid process and selected as the lowest cost option for the transportation and disposal of the City’s waste. Both vendors have five-year contracts with the City.

What about the cost to Greensboro residents?
Residents will pay more for trash collection than they have in the past for a number of reasons:

• Cost to construct the transfer station ($8 million)
• Cost of hauling the trash to the Uwharrie landfill ($1.694 per road mile plus a fuel adjustment and annual CPI adjustment)
• Cost of tipping fee at the Uwharrie landfill ($19.76 per ton of garbage for the City’s projected 160,000 tons annually)

The City’s 2006-07 budget included a 1.25 cent tax rate increase for the transfer station and the 2007-08 budget will include a .75 cent increase. The .75 cent increase may be adjusted up or down based on actual costs to operate the transfer station. This means that the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $25 per year additional tax for the 1.25 cent rate and an additional $15 per year for the .75 cent increase for a total of $40 a year or about $3.34 per month.

What will happen to the White Street Landfill?
As of January 1, 2007, the White Street Landfill no longer accepts municipal solid waste, which includes garbage from homes and businesses. All solid waste should be taken to the transfer station. The White Street Landfill still accepts construction debris and yard waste.

White Street Landfill, 2503 White Street, Greensboro, NC 27405
(336) 373-CITY (2489)
Monday-Friday – 7 am-4:40 pm
Saturday – 7 am-1 pm
Accepts construction debris and yard waste only. Household and commercial garbage should be taken to the Greensboro Solid Waste Transfer Station at 6310 Burnt Poplar Road, Greensboro, NC 27409.

The tipping fee at the transfer station is $36 per ton. The rate for pickup trucks and small trailers (5' x 8' x 2') is $10 per trip except for construction, demolition and roofing which is charged the per ton rate of $36. The rate for automobiles is $5 per trip.

Directions to the Transfer Station
Traveling on West Market St. from downtown: Turn left on Chimney Rock Road, go to the traffic light and turn right (transfer station is on the right).

Traveling on West Market St. from Highway 68: Turn right on Chimney Rock Road, go to the traffic light and turn right (transfer station is on the right).

Traveling on I-40 West: Exit onto Gallimore Dairy Rd, turn right, go to the traffic light and turn right on Burnt Poplar Road; just before reaching the Chimney Rock/Burnt Poplar intersection, the transfer station is on the left.

Traveling on I-40 East: Exit onto Gallimore Dairy Road, turn left, go to the traffic light at Burnt Poplar Road and turn right; just before reaching the Chimney Rock/Burnt Poplar intersection, the transfer station is on the left.

City of Greensboro Solid Waste Transfer Station   (Map)
6310 Burnt Poplar Road, (336) 373-3867
Monday-Friday – 6 am-6 pm
Saturday – 7 am-1 pm
Accepts primarily solid waste and bulk goods (such as couches or mattresses). Will accept construction debris at a cost of $36 per ton. The White Street Landfill charges $25.50 per ton for construction debris. Yard waste should be taken to the White Street Landfill at 2503 White Street.

Prohibited Materials
The following items may not be disposed of at the White Street Landfill: hazardous waste of any kind, appliances, batteries, medical waste, liquid waste, asbestos, aluminum cans, large animals, tires, fluorescent bulbs, electronic equipment and contaminated soil.