News from City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services - August 2016

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 leave with something it is most likely in a plastic bag. Many people think that because the bags have a recycling symbol on them that 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 taken to 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 either.

So, what should you do with plastic bags and Styrofoam?

• Plastic bags can be reused or taken to most local retail stores for recycling, some even offer cash back! When you've exhausted those options, they can be placed in your garbage cart.  
• Consider not using Styrofoam. Try using dishes, glasses for eating instead of Styrofoam or paper plates. Additionally, newspaper can be used as insulation and packing material. If you must use Styrofoam, place it in the garbage cart. 
• Before shredding paper, consider recycling the paper. If it contains confidential information and needs to be shredded, take the shredded paper to a full service recycling center. 

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

Superheroes Wanted For Goodie Hack [HEALTH] August 19-21

Twenty-five percent of all death and disease burden is caused by air and soil pollution. Mismanagement of waste directly contributes to air and soil pollution, which negatively impacts our community’s most fragile residents – the elderly, children and poor.

We can change this!

Join Goodie Nation and the City of Charlotte for Goodie Hack [HEALTH] August 19-21.  The purpose of this event is to create healthier neighborhoods through waste reduction. This intense, fast-paced, 48-hour competitive event will bring community leaders and technical talent together to form teams and build open source prototypes to help offer solutions to how Charlotte residents can take steps daily to reduce their waste. 

We're looking for front-end / back-end developers, UI/UX/graphic designers, product managers and more to use their technical expertise in an effort to create change, not only in Charlotte’s underserved communities, but around the country. Register for a fun-filled weekend where you can meet amazing people and win cool prizes. Meals and t-shirts are included in registration. 

Not a techie? It’s ok, we still need community leaders and residents to register to participate and talk about your experiences with trash and what type of prototype will best help your community. To register and for additional information on the Goodie Hack [HEALTH] weekend, August 19-21, go to hchack.eventbrite.com. 

Did You Know Solid Waste Offers Dead Animal Collection?

Solid Waste Services will collect dead animals from streets, public rights-of-way and residences located within the City. Service does not include interstate highways/ramps or public parks.

Dead animals (wild or domesticated) on private property must be scheduled for collection and placed at curbside.

How To Schedule Collection:

To schedule a dead animal collection, call 311 (704.336.7600).