Recycling trucks reach out to empty bins along Charlotte’s Shasta Lane on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. On Monday, September 20, 2022, city officials said there was a delay in picking up recycling due to staffing shortages.
file photo
Understaffing at Charlotte’s solid waste services department delays citywide recycling collection
On a normal schedule, residential recycling is collected every other week, according to the Solid Waste Service. However, in many areas of Charlotte, garbage and recycling collection has stalled since the start of the new year.
A Solid Waste Service official told the Charlotte Observer that the agency is working to resolve the issue. However, city officials contacted by the Observer were asked to comment on the extent of the staffing shortage. but did not reply immediately.
In the meantime, Solid Waste Services said it has offered customers to leave the bins on the curb until they are collected.
Here’s how to view collection weeks and what you need to know about curb recycling in Charlotte.
Know when to collect your recycling
You can use the Mecklenburg County Geoportal to determine your recycling collection week.
When entering your home address at the top of the page, be sure to select the correct address and then select the “Garbage and Recycling” option. Collection date and recycling collection color are displayed.
You can find out when it’s time to put your bins on the curb according to the 2023 recycling collection calendar.
Charlotte Recycling Guidelines
Follow these tips from the city of Charlotte to get your recyclables picked up when you leave them on the curb.
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Place trash cans within 6 feet of curbs and do not block sidewalks
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Allow 3 feet of space between collectible items and other obstacles such as mailboxes or vehicles
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Please put your trash out on the curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled collection day.
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Please put out the trash can on the curb by the day before collection.
what to recycle
These items can be recycled at the Mecklenburg County Curb.
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plastic container
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cartons and juice boxes
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empty aerosol can
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Aluminum cans
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cereal box
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Cardboard box
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clean the pizza box
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vials and bottles
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tin cans, steel cans
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paper
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spam
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Magazines/Newspapers
What should not be recycled
These items cannot be recycled at the Mecklenburg County Curb.
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Plastic bag
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china or glassware
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Pots and pots
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glasses
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Paper plate
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Diapers
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cat litter
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rechargeable batteries
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light bulb
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wire or plastic hanger
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shredded paper
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hardcover book
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food
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Syringe
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Auto parts
Many of these items can be brought to one of the county’s full-service drop-off centers for special handling. You can use the Solid Waste Services Waste Wizard to determine which items can be recycled.
This story was originally published 6:00 am on January 6, 2023.
