Multi-family Services

The City of Charlotte provides garbage, recycling and bulky waste collection services to multifamily properties (apartments, condominiums, townhomes). Effective July 1, 2018, Waste Pro of North Carolina, Inc. is the City’s contractor for multi-family solid waste collection. Below are the preparation guidelines for items collected.

Dumpster Garbage Collection

  • All garbage must be bagged.
  • Ensure the collector has clear access to the dumpster so service can be provided.  If access is obstructed the driver will not be able to service the dumpster.
  • Please remove the obstruction to ensure service can be provided on the next scheduled collection day.

Compactor Garbage Collection

  • All garbage must be bagged.
  • Ensure the collector has clear access to the compactor.  If access is obstructed the driver will not be able to service the compactor.
  • Please remove the obstruction to ensure service can be provided on the next scheduled collection day.
  • Ensure the compactor pad/location remains free of debris so the empty compactor may be returned to its location once serviced.

Recycling Station Collection

  • Recyclables shall be placed in the cart loose or in a brown paper bag (no plastic bags)
  • Cart contents must be free of contamination (non-recyclable items)
  • Cardboard must be flattened and neatly stacked/bundled and placed adjacent to the recycling carts.
  • Ensure the collector has clear access to the recycling station.  If access is obstructed or the carts are contaminated, the driver will not be able to collect the recyclables.
  • Please remove any contamination or obstruction to ensure service can be provided on the next scheduled collection day.
  • Please contact Mavis Gant at multifamily@charlottenc.gov if you need additional recycling carts delivered to your community.
  • Recyclables may also be delivered to one of Mecklenburg County’s Full Service Recycling Centers.

Bulky Waste Collection

  • Items must be scheduled for collection by calling 311 or 704.336.7600 and providing the following information:
    • Name
    • Address
    • Multifamily property name
    • List of items to be collected
  • After scheduling for collection, please place items at the property’s designated bulky location, near the dumpster or compactor, in a way that does not obstruct garbage collection.
  • DO NOT place bulky items inside the dumpster or compactor.
  • Ensure the collector has clear access to the bulky waste so service can be provided.  If access is obstructed the driver will not be able to collect the bulky waste.  The obstruction will need to be removed and items must be rescheduled for collection.
  • Please contact Mavis Gant multifamily@charlottenc.gov for the collection of appliances that will exceed five items, as additional planning and scheduling of resources may be required.

Yard Waste Collection

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services does not provide yard waste collection service for multi-family communities with dumpsters or compactors.  Yard waste may not be disposed of in dumpsters or compactors. Please contact your property manager for more information on collection of yard waste.

Natural Christmas trees are collected during the month of January and must be scheduled as bulky item collection by calling 311 or 704.336.7600.

Resources for Property Managers

Email multifamily@charlottenc.gov questions about educating residents on services that are provided by Solid Waste.

General Information

Multi-Family Recycling Collection Tips

Recycling services are available to multi-family communities that qualify for garbage collection service; however, the service is optional. For communities that offer this service, recycling stations are located near the dumpster or compactor. To find out more about recycling in your community or request recycling stations be added to your property, please contact your property manager.

Learn more about Mecklenburg County recycling guidelines.

Multifamily Service Days

Please contact your property manager/management company or email multifamily@charlottenc.gov.

Service Guidelines/Eligibility Requirements

  • Community must be located within City of Charlotte limits,
  • Service is available to all multifamily properties with space to service a dumpster or compactor, and
  • Community must provide dumpster(s)/compactor for garbage. Community can rent or purchase these containers from vendor of choice.

How much does collection services costs?

A City of Charlotte Solid Waste Fee is set annually by the Charlotte City Council and charged to all multifamily property owners within the City of Charlotte on the annual tax bill distributed by Mecklenburg County. The current multi-family Charlotte residence (per unit) fee is $94.64, which is paid to the City of Charlotte and $44.50, which is paid to Mecklenburg County.

Multifamily FAQ

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services Department provides garbage, recycling and bulky waste collection services for your multifamily community (apartments, condominiums, and townhomes). Collection services differ from those offered in Solid Waste Services' curbside collection program.

Does the City offer garbage collection services for multifamily communities?

Yes, garbage is collected from dumpsters or compactors. Multifamily communities must rent or purchase the dumpster(s)/compactor from vendor of choice.

Does the City offer recycling collection services for multifamily communities?

Yes, optional recycling services are available to communities that qualify for garbage collection service. Communities typically place recycling stations near the dumpster/compactor area or loading dock. A designated recycling station area is comprised of multiple 95/96-gallon carts.

What is the cost of the recycling service?

Recycling collection is included in the services provided to multifamily properties. The City's multifamily collection contractor provides carts for collection.

How is cardboard collected in multifamily communities?

Cardboard must be flattened and neatly stacked/bundled and placed adjacent to the recycling carts.

Are cardboard/recycle dumpsters included in services provided?

City provided recycling is collected at recycling stations utilizing 95/96-gallon carts. Multifamily communities requesting different methods for collection must contract with vendor of choice for container and collection service.

Does the City offer bulky waste collection services for multifamily communities?

Yes, bulky waste (i.e. mattresses, couches) is collected from multifamily communities. Items must be scheduled for collection by calling 311 or 704.336.7600. Items are collected from the communities' designated bulky collection, near the dumpster/compactor area. Please contact the Solid Waste Services' multifamily administrator at multifamily@charlottenc.gov for the collection of appliances that will exceed five items, as additional planning and scheduling of resources may be required.

What is the cost of having bulky items removed from multifamily communities?

Bulky waste collection is included in the services provided to multifamily properties.

How many garbage pickups will my community receive?

Multifamily properties with a dumpster(s) receive one (1) pickup per week for every 30 units. To determine the # of pickups, take the total number of units and divide by 30, round up if .5 or greater, round down if less than .5. For example, a 125-unit multifamily community divided by 30= 4.17= four (4) authorized collections the City will provide on the multifamily contract. (Note: size of dumpster does not dictate frequency of collection, i.e. a 4-yard dumpster will not be picked up twice as often as an 8-yard dumpster). Multifamily properties with a compactor receive haul(s) per week determined by a formula based on the number of units and compactor size. The formula is based upon the compaction ratio of a trash compactor of 3 to 1. This means that one 8-yd compactor can hold three times as much refuse as a regular 8-yard dumpster. Please contact the Solid Waste Services' multifamily administrator at multifamily@charlottenc.gov to determine number of eligible hauls for your community. A multifamily property may elect to have additional collections beyond the number the City provides. Your community may contract with any vendor of choice for the additional pickups.

Where can my community rent or purchase a dumpster/compactor?

Communities must rent or purchase a dumpster/compactor from any vendor of choice. Your community may conduct an online search for available vendors.

Does the City of Charlotte provide individual carts for garbage and recycling collection for multifamily communities?

Per the City Ordinance, effective January 1, 2018 multifamily communities with twelve (12) or more units do not qualify for individual cart collection/curbside service. Properties with twelve (12) units or more must provide dumpster/compactor to be eligible for City service.

What company picks up garbage, recycling and bulky waste from multifamily communities?

Waste Pro LLC is the City's contracted service provider. The City bids these services periodically to ensure the cost remains competitive.

What time will garbage, recycling and bulky items be collected?

Per the City Ordinance and the City's Multifamily contract, collection service times may occur Monday through Friday between the hours of 7am-9pm. Collections may take place on the weekend due to holidays or inclement weather. Dumpster(s)/Compactor, recycling carts, and bulky item areas must be accessible by 7am on the scheduled collection day.

What information does the City need to receive from a multifamily community to start collection services?

Please email multifamily@charlottenc.gov to request a form to begin the process.

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