NEW CARTS, NEW SCHEDULE

Residents are to use a black 96-gallon cart for garbage and a red 96-gallon cart for recycling.

This map shows the collection schedule by zone; click image to see full-sized map. Click here for an alphabetical listing of collection days by street.

Garbage is collected weekly, and recycling is collected every other week. 

Below please find some frequently asked questions and answers. 

For more information, please call Public Works and Project Manager Doug Wright at 704-940-9625.  Customer Service for Republic Waste Services: 704-393-6900.

What are the changes? 

In October 2012, the town will be making the following changes to the solid waste collection program:

• The red and blue 18-gallon recycle bins will be replaced with a red 96-gallon recycle rollout cart, identical, except for color, to the current garbage cart
• Garbage and yard waste will be collected every week
• The new 96-gallon recycle cart will be collected every other week
• New garbage rollout carts will be delivered, and old garbage rollout carts will be collected.  The town will no longer collect solid waste in old carts.
• Garbage, recycling, and yard waste will be collected on a 4-day schedule, Monday-Thursday.  Please look at the attached map to determine your collection day. (For example, Wednesday is collection day for the River Run neighborhood -- garbage and yard waste can be set out every Wednesday, and recyclables set out every other Wednesday.)
• The town is no longer collecting appliances.  These should be hauled to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center on Hwy 21 (Statesville Rd) in Huntersville.

Why is the town making these changes?

• Bi-Weekly Recycle Cart:  The waste collection industry is moving toward automated collection of recyclables.  As other municipalities have converted from 18-gallon recycle bins to 96-gallon recycle carts, recycling participation has universally increased.   In 2011, Davidson’s recycle participation rate was 13% of the total waste tonnage produced.  We have set a goal of 20% for 2015, and see this change as an essential part of that effort.  Here’s what can be recycled.
• 4-Day Collection Route:  The town’s waste vendor, Republic Waste Services, will have equipment operating in town 4 days each week.  This will allow us to better rectify any missed collections or customer requests.

Where do I store my new recycle cart? 

Accommodating an additional 96-gallon container will be harder for some property owners than others.  Residents in townhomes, utilizing “corrals” to hide containers, may want to consider replacing 20% of those garbage containers with recycle containers.  Residents in multi-family complexes, utilizing dumpsters, will be provided with 2 recycle carts per dumpster.  Most residents will want to keep the small bins to use inside their house, and to convey recyclables to the cart outside (if you want to keep your bin, please put a sign on it saying "KEEP" so Republic will empty and return).  Residents of the City of Charlotte and the Towns of Huntersville and Cornelius have all made this change successfully.

What if I lose track of which week is recycle pick-up week?
Here is the schedule:

The town will provide a postcard calendar showing recycling pick-up weeks to each household. 

When will the changes take place?  

Old carts will be collected, and new carts delivered, September 19 and 26.  The week of October 1 will be the first recycling week.
 
What if my pick-up day falls on a holiday? 

Republic Waste Services will pick-up on the designated day, regardless of whether it is a holiday or not.  Thanksgiving and Christmas days are the exception, and carts should be put out the day after the holiday.  Click here for the 2013 Holiday Schedule.