Overview
September 2005
The Town is changing from backyard collection of household garbage to an automated curbside collection system beginning in fall 2005.
When that happens, your yard waste will be collected on the same day as your household garbage, recyclables and curbside trash. This same-day system will replace the town-wide collection of yard waste on Mondays.
See the types of solid waste that are collected for disposal or recycling.
Why Curbside Collection?
Curbside collection is the safest and most efficient, equitable and economical way for the Town to collect solid waste. Changing to curbside collection for household garbage will help minimize cost increases, saving customers millions of dollars in the coming years.
Cary and Winston-Salem are the only large communities in North Carolina that collect solid waste from the back yard. Raleigh switched to curbside collection in 2004. Most Cary citizens support the change to curbside collection, according to a 2004 survey.
Read more about why curbside collection is the chosen method.
Take our short quiz to test your knowledge of the new curbside collection service.
Making the Change
The Town will provide a cart for household garbage that you will roll to the curb each week. Truck operators will dump the carts using an automated arm.
Carts will be distributed over about eight weeks beginning around mid October 2005.
Everyone will get the same size cart to start out with--a 95 gallon cart. If, over time, it's clear that your family can use a smaller cart, we'll exchange it for a 65 gallon cart.
Read more about the carts we're providing.
These durable carts are designed for easy rolling and are effective at controlling pests. The cost of your first cart is included in your monthly solid waste fee. The charge for each additional cart is $3.50 per month.
Once you receive your cart, consider keeping your garbage can and using it for yard waste. If you want to dispose of your garbage can, take it to the Citizen Convenience Center on Dixon Avenue. You can also leave the can at the curb on your collection day. Solid waste crews will take it away for you.
Existing Customers in Town Homes & Condominiums
If you currently receive Town solid waste collection and live in a town home or condominium building with three or more units, you will continue receiving backyard collection. Your solid waste collection day will stay the same. Your household garbage, recyclables, curbside trash and yard waste will be taken that day.
Continue using your existing garbage can if you live in a town home or condominium building with three or more units and receive service from the Town. You will not receive a rollout cart
Customers with Physical Limitations
If your doctor feels that you are physically unable to bring the new solid waste cart to the curb, you may ask that the Town assist you with curbside collection.
Complete a Curbside Assistance Request Form [HTML] [PDF] to have your individual situation evaluated.
Even with curbside assistance, you will receive a cart.
Using Rollout Carts Properly
Please place the cart at the curb – not in the street or on the sidewalk or meter box – by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Set the cart facing out and away from light poles, mailboxes or fire hydrants.
To keep the neighborhood looking neat, please remove the emptied cart from the curb as soon as possible and before 6 a.m. the next day at the latest.
See photos below for examples of why a rollout cart placement does or doesn’t meet the rules.
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More Information
As the time for the switchover approaches, we’ll provide more information about curbside collection in a variety of ways.
If you have questions about rollout carts or solid waste collection generally, please call the Public Works and Utilities Department at (919) 469-4090.
Please
see our Frequently Asked Questions