As the city prepares for the festivities of the holiday season, officials have released essential guidelines for waste collection during the coming weeks. According to the City of Charlotte, there will be no garbage, recycling, yard waste, or bulky waste collection on Thursday, Dec. 25. To accommodate the disruption, Thursday customers are slated to receive service on Friday, Dec. 26, with Friday customers to follow suit on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Residents looking ahead to the New Year's week shouldn't expect to also adjust—collection services will run per usual, but remember to have your carts out by 6 a.m. on your designated day. And with an increased number of cars lining neighborhood streets due to school vacations and visiting family, the city is asking the public to help safely guide collection trucks by parking smartly. "Park in garages and driveways if there is space," the City of Charlotte instructs, but if you must resort to street parking, press to park as close to the curb as possible, ensuring trucks can safely navigate their routes.
When it comes to post-holiday cleanup, say your goodbyes to Christmas trees starting Monday, Jan. 5. Residents should make sure trees are stripped of all decor before setting them at the curb—no one wants ornaments and tinsel to inadvertently hit the trash heap. Artificial trees, which require scheduling for bulky collection, as well as all types of wreaths due to wire components, will not be picked up as part of regular garbage or yard waste collection.
What about the deluge of cardboard that often comes with holiday indulgence? Fold any cardboard into smaller pieces to fit loosely in your recycling cart, the city advises. If you have bigger pieces or high quantities, it might be best to deliver it directly to one of Mecklenburg County’s full-service facilities. And while cardboard recycling is encouraged, items like Styrofoam and packing peanuts will need to go in the general trash cart—they're a no-go for recycling. The City of Charlotte also suggests holding onto "gift boxes, ribbons, bows and ornamental bags" which could be reused the following year, to reduce waste.
For more comprehensive details on the holiday collection process and schedules, Charlotte residents can turn to the Solid Waste Services website. "Thank you for taking extra care with your collection this holiday season," the City of Charlotte says.
