Raleigh and Durham announce yard-waste changes after suspending curbside pickup
Raleigh’s Yard Waste Center is now open for the public to drop off yard waste and storm debris for free after the city suspended curbside pickup last month to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
And starting next week the city will sell organic compost, organic mulch, leaf mulch and colored mulch at the Yard Waste Center, at 900 N. New Hope Road. Raleigh residents can buy one bag and get one free bag of the mulch or compost, according to a news release from the city.
Curbside yard waste was suspended to give workers more time and space to pick up trash while maintaining social distancing. Raleigh has installed a plexiglass shield between customers and center staff, provided masks and gloves daily for the center staff, and scale equipment is sanitized after each use.
Customers are limited to one free vehicle load per day. Residents must bring their own containers to fill if they are buying mulch or compost. Customers must also load the containers themselves.
The center is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Durham to hold special collection
The city of Durham, which halted curbside collection of yard waste March 30, is planning a one-time weekend collection to keep city yard-waste customers from feeling overwhelmed, a news release stated.
Customers should set their brown yard waste cart out on the curb no later than 6 a.m. Friday, May 8.
Carts should be left at the curb until emptied because crews will be working throughout the weekend to collect all customers’ yard waste.
“This one-time collection will be automation only, so only place your cart out,” the release stated. “Do not set out bags, bulky items, tree limbs, and brush as these additional items placed outside of your yard waste cart will not be collected.”
Customers whose waste is not collected over the weekend should report the missed pickup by 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, by contacting Durham One Call and submitting a service request at durhamnc.gov/1439/Durham-One-Call (select Waste Management/Report Other Solid Waste Concern) or by calling 919-560-1200.
The city will not resume charging for yard-waste service until weekly collections return, the release stated.
