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Solid Waste Services

***Previously, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Solid Waste Services was operating on a one-day delay, but due to the potential of winter weather this weekend, Solid Waste Services wants to ensure all residents receive service this week. Residents who have not received service are asked to put their carts at the curb tonight, Wednesday, Jan.19 and leave them until collected. This direction especially applies to residents who normally receive collection on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.***

Who are we?

Solid Waste Services provides Charlotte residents with garbage, recycling, yard and bulk waste collection services. We are committed to partnering with the community to ensure a green and sustainable future. Our mission is to remain customer-focused and continually evolve to adopt more convenient, environmentally-friendly solutions to help keep Charlotte clean.

Garbage and recycling collection

Garbage is collected once a week on your scheduled collection day.

Recyclables are collected every-other-week on the same day as garbage and yard waste collection. To find your collection day and recycling week, visit the GeoPortal system.

Bag all garbage before placing it in the garbage rollout cart. Do not overfill carts or place garbage items outside of the cart. Items outside the rollout cart will not be collected.
Please place garbage and recycling carts within six feet of the curb and with the handle facing toward your property. Do not block the sidewalk.
Please allow three feet of space between collection items and other obstacles such as mailboxes, phone poles and vehicles.
More service details can be found by viewing our

Administrative policy

Place garbage and recycling carts at the curb no later than 6:00 am on your scheduled collection day.
Place garbage and recycling carts at the curb no sooner than the day before collection. The cart must be removed from the curb by midnight on the day of collection.
For cart repairs, replacement or other cart-related inquiries, please call CharMeck311 or (704.336.7600). You may also email: cartsadmin@charlottenc.gov.
You can find more information on Mecklenburg County recycling guidelines.

Recycling guidelines

Holiday collection schedule

We collect garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulky waste on all holidays except for the following listed below. During observed holiday weeks, all collection services will operate on a one-day delay with Friday customers receiving service on Saturday.

Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 25

Christmas-Saturday, Dec. 25

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, Jan. 17

Yard waste collection

Yard waste is collected from the curb once a week on your scheduled collection day provided the materials meet preparation requirements. Yard waste is made into mulch and compost for reuse.

Bulky waste collection

Items such as household furnishings, appliances, mattresses, box springs, lawn equipment and similar items too large to be placed in the garbage rollout cart and not eligible for recycling or yard waste collection are considered bulky waste and must be scheduled for collection.

Disability collection services

If you are a customer with a disability or other physical limitation that does not permit you to roll the cart to the curb, please call 311 (704.336.7600) to discuss special arrangements for collection.

Dead animal collection

Solid Waste Services will collect dead animals from streets, public rights-of-way, and residences located within the City. Service does not include interstate highways/ramps or public parks. Dead animals (wild or domesticated) on private property must be scheduled for collection and placed at curbside.