What to do with storm debris when there’s no curbside pickup in Charlotte? Here’s a tip.
Response to the coronavirus outbreak collided with disposal of storm debris Monday after strong winds toppled trees and left up to 40,000 Mecklenburg County residents without power.
What to do with the broken branches strewing your yard?
The city of Charlotte halted curbside pickup of yard waste for at least 30 days, starting March 23, to help protect workers from the spreading virus. County recycling centers charge for accepting broken limbs and other organic wastes, but have reported large and sometimes unruly crowds.
Jeffrey Smithberger, the county’s solid waste management director, says the four full-service recycling centers can still handle all county residents who bring in yard wastes, even though they may have to wait in short lines.
“Our Compost Central location on Valleydale Road is the least used of all of our sites, so my recommendation would be for residents to use that site,” Smithberger said.
“I know that several homeowners I have spoken with are using private landscape services that are available to remove and haul tree and yard debris while the city is no longer collecting this material, because they do not wish to haul their own materials.”
Local jurisdictions typically clear any debris on streets and rights-of-way, Smithberger said, with residents responsible for disposal of yard waste or tree debris on private property.
The four recycling centers are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Sundays.
They charge residential customers for disposing of large amounts of yard waste. Vehicles with no more than two 32-gallon trash bags can dispose of waste for free, providing you live in Mecklenburg County. Those with more waste, such as pickup trucks, will be charged $8 each. Vehicles with larger loads, including logs, are charged $27 per ton.
City officials say they have no plan to restart curbside yard waste pickups, and recommend that residents take their wastes to the county recycling centers. Some towns in the county, including Davidson, continue curbside pickup.
“We are working with our emergency management team to stay abreast of the current pandemic and will make operational decisions based on the best information we have at the time,” a city spokesman said. “I wish I could provide you with more clarity on a date, but right now we don’t have one.”
Burning yard waste is governed by strict rules in Mecklenburg County and generally open burns are prohibited without a burn permit. Contact the county fire marshal for information at (980) 314-3070 or send email to Firemarshal@mecklenburgcountync.gov.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 5:15 PM.