To provide the citizens of Onslow County an environmentally sound Subtitle D Landfill, operate convenience centers, and manage the recycling program that include tires and white goods. 

Department Overview

Administer in the most economically feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally safe manner the collection, separation, recycling and disposal of solid waste in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and enhance the environment of the people of Onslow County; and recover resources which have the potential for further usefulness.

What is a Landfill? 

Landfills are specially constructed sites designed so waste can be safely and effectively disposed. North Carolina has the following types of landfills: municipal solid waste, industrial waste, construction and demolition, land clearing and inert debris.

Municipal solid waste landfills accept waste commonly known as "garbage," among other items. They are not allowed to take liquids or hazardous waste.

Only lined municipal solid waste landfills accept household waste.

Why Have A Landfill At All?

Recycling, reducing waste and reusing items can greatly reduce the amount of waste created, but people keep generating more and more. Composting can take care of some materials, but the remaining waste items need to be disposed of safely.

Before waste was regulated, people routinely dumped trash into lakes, streams and ravines. This practice caused human sickness nearby and downstream. Proper waste disposal protects human health and the environment.

What’s "municipal solid waste?"

Garbage, household hazardous waste and a host of other items thrown out by people and corporations are called "municipal waste." MSW landfills are not allowed to take hazardous waste, liquids, tires or large appliances, which are also called "white goods."

http://wastenot.enr.state.nc.us/SWMLandfillsFastFacts.htm for info on NC Landfills and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)