Charlotte Stops Yard Waste Collection But You Can Do It Yourself

The City of Charlotte has stopped collecting yard waste for at least 30 days, possibly longer, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But you can do it yourself.

Matthews has also stopped collections, but the towns of Davidson, Cornelius, Mint Hill and other small towns are still collecting yard waste.

“Yard waste and bulky item collection services were suspended in an effort to adhere to local, state and federal social distancing mandates,” said City project coordinator Beverlee Sanders. “Solid Waste Services made adjustments in the collection processes to decrease the chance of exposure to the Coronavirus to our employees. The following procedures have been implemented in order to protect our employees:

“1. Staggering shifts to reduce numbers of people in a given area at a given time.  This has enabled us to adhere to social distancing.
“2. Reducing the number of staff and, when possible, minimizing the number of two-person crews.
“3. Adjusting resources and services, so that we can focus on essential services as outlined by the state and federal government. Those services are garbage and recycling.
“4. Suspending services, like bulky items, where unbagged items coming from homes could pose a health risk to collection staff because we do not know what house is/isn’t quarantined.”

A major problem is that yard waste collection requires a two-person crew, and they spend long hours in the truck cab together. This would violate social distancing mandates.

“We are using a small number of yard waste and bulky item crews to supplement the collection of garbage as needed,” Sanders said. “Additional drivers are being cross-trained on using automated collection trucks so that we can further increase social distancing. Each driver trained is in their own truck and the driver trainer is outside the cab, maintaining social distance to keep everyone safe.”

Residents have the option to take their yard waste or bulky items to one of Mecklenburg County’s four full-service recycling facilities. Locations and details are listed at www.wipeoutwaste.com. Staff urges residents to come on weekdays because there is a long waiting line on Saturdays.

County Solid Waste requests that you come to its sites prepared by having gloves and maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet from all others. Also never put yard waste into your recycling carts, as this will cause your recycling to NOT get collected.

The Do-It-Yourself Experience

Charlotte resident Margaret Rixham, an avid gardener, decided to take her own yard waste to the recycling facility on Valleydale Drive after accumulating a number of large plastic bags full. The County requires that residents empty their bags onto a huge pile of yard waste (future compost), and they provide a dumpster for empty bags. Any County resident can empty two bags for free. If you have more, the cost is $8 for a pickup or SUV, payable by credit card only. Larger loads are weighed at $27 per ton. Non-residents are charged $35 for a small vehicle load.

“I researched online and found a drop-off center approximately eight miles from my home – out Brookshire Blvd/Rozzelle’s Ferry Road,” Rixham said. “I loaded the bags in the back of my 4Runner and took an early morning drive, hoping to be the first one there and beat long lines of yard services and tree companies.

“Sure enough, I was the first one there, waiting for the gate to open at 7:00 a.m. – which it did, right on time,” she added. “I drove in and, thanks to a tip from another customer behind me, I found the correct ticket booth (which is also a scale for your vehicle). I paid the fee, drove on through and saw an ENORMOUS hill of yard debris. I dumped out my bags, one by one, and then I was on my way. They even have a dumpster where you can dispose of your plastic yard bags. The whole process was super easy and fast. I was in-and-out in about ten minutes. And I was impressed at how organized and clean the whole facility was. I would definitely do it again if my only other option is decaying bags of pollen in front of my house!”