News from City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services - July 2015

2015 Recycling Collection Calendar

The 2015 Recycling Collection Calendar is available to view or print from our website. Don’t know if you are a green or orange week recycling collection customer? Verify on the website or call CharMeck 311 (704.336.7600).

We're Rolling!

Solid Waste Services no longer collects recyclables from red bins or non-City issued carts. Recyclables are only collected from 95-gallon, green, City-issued rollout carts. If you are in need of a recycling cart, contact CharMeck 311 (704.336.7600).

Temporary Changes to Online Bulky Item Scheduling

Due to system upgrades, residents will not be able to schedule bulky waste collection online using CharMeck.org from July 17 - 31. Residents will need to call CharMeck 311 (704.336.7600) to schedule their bulky waste collection. Don’t wait for the weekend! You will need to call 311 during their new working hours:  Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. 

Guess What You Can’t Put In That Recycling Cart?

Plastic bags have become a staple in retail businesses. From grocery stores to department stores if you are leaving with something it is most likely in a plastic bag. Many people think that because the bags have the recycling symbol they can go in their recycling cart – but they can’t. That’s right, plastic bags aren’t recyclable in the City of Charlotte’s recycling program. 

Why?

Recyclables collected by Solid Waste Services are takento Mecklenburg County's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to be processed. The processing of recyclables includes many different machines. Plastic bags can cause damage to the machines and delay production – both can increase costs for repair and maintenance. Plastic bags aren’t the only thing that can’t go in the recycling cart. Styrofoam and shredded paper should also not be placed in the recycling cart.

So, what should you do with them?

• Plastic bags can be disposed of in your garbage cart. Bags can also be taken to local grocery stores for recycling, some even offer cash back!
• Place your Styrofoam plates, cups, food carts, insulation and packing materials in the garbage cart. Please make sure they are bagged.
• Shredded paper should also be placed in the garbage cart.

Please remember to keep these three items out of the recycling cart.  

Rollout Containers Not Safe for Grill Charcoal, Ashes... Reminder

The weather is warming up and that means spending more time outdoors enjoying great weather, great company and great food around the grill. Don’t spoil the fun with a charcoal fire. Charcoal can stay warm for a long time. The ashes can smolder – sometimes for days. When placed inside plastic bags and into plastic containers, they can cause a fire to not only the container it is in, but also to surrounding structures, like houses and cars. From 2007-11, fire departments across the United States responded to nearly 9,000 house fires a year caused by grills. More than a quarter of those fires started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, and nearly 30 percent started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Fires can be caused when residents put charcoal from a grill into a plastic garbage can. In all three cases, the fires caused significant damage, including destroying two homes and a car. So, just how should you dispose of your charcoal? Charcoal can be placed in your garbage cart, but please make sure: ·        Charcoal is completely cooled. ·        Place them to cool in a metal container with a metal lid. ·        Keep cooling coals away from flammable liquids and materials. Get more tips on how to safely manage charcoal disposal. Have fun and keep it safe!