City of Raleigh to Begin Limited Curbside Yard Waste Collection May 19
As the City of Raleigh begins the safe and strategic road to recovery, we plan to start a limited, biweekly curbside yard waste collection service to residents on May 19. This action is in line with the state’s phased reopening plan.
To ensure the safety, health and well-being of our residents and employees, Solid Waste Services will operate with modified three-person crews in adherence to social distancing guidelines recommended due to COVID-19. There will be no more than two people in the cab of the vehicle at any time. A third employee will travel in a separate City vehicle while transitioning to and from routes to ensure proper social distancing. You may observe a City vehicle parked in the vicinity of your neighborhood during collection services. In addition, our employees will be issued personal protective equipment.
We expect the yard waste collection volume to be larger than normal. Therefore, we are unable to specify pickup dates. Place your yard waste at the curb by 6 a.m. starting on May 19 and leave it out until it is collected. Once your yard waste has been collected, your next pickup will not occur until two weeks later.
Please follow the normal yard waste preparation guidelines, including:
- Your yard waste materials must not block or prohibit garbage and recycling collection.
- Limbs and brush must be securely tied into bundles less than five feet in length, 18 inches in diameter.
- Yard waste must be in clear plastic or biodegradable bags, or in a container with lifting handles no larger than 35 gallons and less than 75 pounds. The total number of bags must NOT exceed 15.
Due to the expected volume and a modified way of operating, collecting your yard waste will take additional time. We appreciate your patience. Starting on July 10 you can expect to have your yard waste collected again on the same day as your recycling.
Yard Waste Center to Resume Normal Operations
The City’s Yard Waste Center will resume normal operations on May 19, which includes lifting the temporary waiver of disposal fees and providing services to local contractors. Residents and contractors may continue to use the center, located at 900 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, to drop off yard waste.
To mitigate safety concerns and adhere to social distancing guidelines, the Yard Waste Center has put in place various safety measures. These include installing a plexiglass shield guard between customers and center staff, providing personal protective equipment for attendants and scale operators, and sanitizing all areas daily.
Whom Can I Contact If I Have Questions about Solid Waste Services?
You can call 919-996-3245, to speak with a City customer service representative (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).
o Press 2 for SWS, residential or business utility services
o Press 4 for SWS requests and/or questions
o Press 1 to report a Missed Collection
o Press 2 to schedule a pick-up or ask a question
o Press 3 to purchase or request a replacement cart
Email: sws@raleighnc.gov
Please sanitize cart handles
We highly encourage you to sanitize your cart handles. In addition, please make sure all refuse is secured inside the carts before placing them at the curb. Place recyclable items loosely in your blue cart, free of any plastic bags. We appreciate your cooperation.
Information about our Yard Waste Center
The City of Raleigh Yard Waste Center serves as the recycling facility for yard trimmings collected by City crews as part of our curbside yard waste collection program. In addition, the center accepts yard trimmings generated within Wake County from residents and businesses for a fee.
The Yard Waste Center sells compost, mulch and recycles grass clippings, shrubbery trimmings, leaves, tree limbs, logs, brush and pine straw into organic compost. We also produce wood chips.
The City sells its organic compost and other products to the landscaping industry and residential customers.
