Staffing shortage means slower pace for Charlotte yard waste collection
The city of Charlotte is advising residents to put yard waste at the curb on their regular collection day until its picked up, which could be longer than usual.
The delay in yard waste collection is due to staffing shortages, the city said in a news release Wednesday.
Despite the slower yard waste collection, garbage and recycling are operating on the normal schedule, according to the city.
The four Mecklenburg County full-service recycling centers — located at 17131 Lancaster Highway, 8007 Pence Road and 140 Valleydale Road in Charlotte as well as 12300 N. Statesville Road in Huntersville — are alternative options for yard waste disposal, but residents must take items in paper bags or reusable containers. Mecklenburg County may charge fees when disposing at the full-service centers, the city said.
Residents can register for Solid Waste Services text messages to receive up-to-the-minute collection service notices. To do so, people can text their collection day to 73224.
There previously were 20 vacancies for sanitation drivers, but 17 of those positions have been filled, the city said. The newly hired drivers are scheduled to start in the next two weeks, which will allow Solid Waste Services to resume on-time collection for yard waste, a news release said.
The city also is using Waste Pro, a multi-family collection contractor, to assist with curbside garbage collection because of the shortages, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Solid Waste Services will have two additional interviews on May 10 and May 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1105 Otts St., for open positions. Applicants can view the job posting and apply for the position at the city’s online employment center.
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 6:36 PM.
