Landfill Tours

Have you ever wondered what happens to your trash when it leaves the curb? Collection day is the first day in a long life for your trash. Join staff on a FREE tour of the South Wake Landfill to find out how Wake County Waste Management Division safeguards the environment and public health by safely disposing of over 1.2 million people's garbage. On the tour, you will also learn:

1. How municipal landfills are designed and operated
2. Where you can recycle additional items, not picked up at the curb
3. Where to dispose of harmful household items safely
4. How to reduce waste at home, school or work
   
    

Public Tours

You will be accompanied by a NC Certified Environmental Educator on a riding tour of South Wake Waste Management Facilities in Apex, NC. Tours depart promptly, at 10 AM and last approx. 90 minutes. To register for a landfill tour, click on a date below:

• Monday, April 6, 2026, at 10 AM
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 10 AM - Cohost NCSciFest 
• Friday, May 1, 2026, at 10 AM
• Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10 AM 

Please Note: 

• Participants must be 8 years or older by the date of the tour (no exceptions).
• Participants are required to register, and sign a waiver, in advance of tour.
• Tour participants under the age of 16 must be chaperoned by an adult.
• Seating is limited. If the tour is fully booked, there is a waitlist to join.
• If you cannot make the tour, please cancel your seat, so that waitlisted people can reserve a seat.
   

Private Group Tours

Your group will be accompanied by a NC Certified Environmental Educator on a riding tour of South Wake Solid Waste Management Facilities in Apex, NC. A minimum of 10 participants are required to schedule a group tour. Group tours are available by request to all organizations that operate within Wake County. Group tours can be requested Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. To request a group tour, fill out and submit this request form, a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Please Note:

• Participants must be aged 8 years or older by the date of the tour (no exceptions). 
• Participants are required to register, and sign a waiver, in advance of tour.
• Tour participants under the age of 16 must be chaperoned by an adult.
• Group transportation is available for up to 14 passengers, at no cost. If your group is larger, you must arrange group transportation at your own expense. Personal vehicle convoys are not permitted beyond landfill gates for safety reasons.

Virtual Tours

Tour the South Wake Landfill via drone, from the comfort of your own couch. Our virtual landfill tour is environmental educator led and lasts 15-30 minutes.

Spend the first 15 minutes navigating the 750+ acre property with operations staff who work at the landfill, and learn how:

1. The trash is buried
2. The landfill is designed and operated
3. Pollution from the trash is managed 
4. To manage waste sustainably

Spend the last 15-minutes (optional) with education staff in a Q&A session. Get your chance to speak face-to-face with a waste expert and have your questions answered. 

Virtual landfill tours are intended for organizations that operate within Wake County. They require a minimum of 10 participants, in the recommended age range of 8 years or older. Virtual tours can be requested Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

Virtual tours use Microsoft Teams to meet. If your organization hosts its own online meetings, we will join other online platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meets, WebEx etc. Participants will need internet and a device to join a virtual tour. To request a virtual tour, fill out and submit this request form, a minimum of two weeks in advance.