Paper Bag Mandate FAQ

Summary

  • Solid Waste Services is no longer collecting any plastic bags for disposal of yard waste, including compostable plastic yard waste bags.

  • Starting Monday, July 5, residents must use paper yard waste bags or reusable containers weighing no more than 75 pounds for their yard waste.

    • Residents who do not comply will receive a note and a one-time courtesy collection.

 
 

The Queen City is going green:

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services is making changes to improve service and protect the health of the community!

Solid Waste Services is protecting the environment, improving operational efficiency of the yard waste collection program and protecting employee and resident health by eliminating the use of plastic bags for yard waste disposal.

Beginning July 5, residents that receive city collection will be required to use paper yard waste bags or reusable containers weighing no more than 75 pounds for yard waste collection.

 
 
 
 

Yard Waste

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.

 
 

How To Prepare Yard Waste For Collection:

  • Refer to your particular type of yard waste below for proper preparation.

  • Place yard waste at the curb by 6:00 am on your scheduled collection day.

  • Place yard waste within six feet of the curb and at least three feet away from other collection items (including other yard waste) and obstacles such as mailboxes, phone poles and vehicles, etc. Do not block the sidewalk.

  • Please place yard waste at the curb no sooner than the day before collection. A minimum $150 citation may be issued if you place yard waste at the curb sooner than the day before collection.

  • Please do not blow yard waste into the street.

Note: Residents using their personal containers for yard waste collection should use uncovered containers weighing no more than 75 pounds. Solid Waste Services recommends the use of paper bags for grass clippings, leaves and weeds for collection preparation. Paper bags can be purchased from some local retailers.

Brush 

  • Brush should be no longer than five feet in length and four inches in diameter.

  • Separate brush into piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

Grass clippings 

  • Grass clippings must be placed in untied bags for collection or placed in uncovered containers weighing no more than 75 pounds.

  • Starting July 5, Solid Waste Services will no longer accept plastic bags.

  • Containers or plastic/paper bags should not weigh more than 75 pounds each.

  • Grass clippings can be mixed with other yard waste such as leaves and trimmings.

Leaves 

  • Leaves must be placed in untied plastic or paper bags for collection or placed in uncovered trash cans. Do not put any other trash in the same container.

  • Starting July 5, Solid Waste Services will no longer accept plastic bags.

Limbs 

  • Limbs must be no longer than five feet in length and no larger than four inches in diameter.

  • Limbs should be separated in piles that are no longer than five feet long and three feet high. There should be two feet in between each pile.

  • Limbs should not be tied.

  • Limbs may be placed in containers for collection.

Logs 

  • Logs must be under four inches in diameter

  • Tree stumps will not be collected.



 
 

Prefer to Use Grass Clippings for Mulch?

Leaving grass clipping on the lawn after mowing ensures that nutrients will be returned to the soil. Grass clippings are 20-30% protein and usually contain about 4% nitrogen, 2% potassium and 0.5% phosphorus as well as all the necessary trace elements plants need.

When leaving clippings on the lawn, adjust your lawn mower to remove no more than one third of the grass leaf surface at any one mowing. Any mower can be used, but one that mulches as it cuts is best. Use a slow-release fertilizer, water when necessary, and mow the grass at the proper heig