Wilmington brings in contractor for debris removal

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington is bringing in an outside debris pick-up contractor next week to get yard waste debris from Hurricane Matthew picked up as quickly as possible.

The city has contracted DRC Emergency Services of Mobile, AL, to pick up what it estimates will be 80,000-100,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris from the storm. DRC will supplement the city’s yard waste pick-up crews, who will continue to pick up bagged yard debris on a regular weekly schedule.

Click here for information about debris removal in other parts of the region

The city says trash and recycling will also continue to operate on a regular schedule. The contractor will pick up larger piles of debris and tree limbs that are not bagged. While storm debris is being picked up, there will be no restrictions on the amount of debris that can be picked up and tree limbs for pick up can be up to 12 feet long.

Beginning next week, status of debris pick-up progress and upcoming areas to be picked up by grid/zone will be posted on the city’s website each day at wilmingtonnc.gov/storm. This week, city Parks and Solid Waste crews are picking up loose piles of limbs and larger debris in the greater downtown area and city yard waste crews are picking up on their regular routes.

Following is a summary of guidelines for storm debris pick-up:

• Limbs can be up to 12 feet long.
• All loose yard waste (grass clippings, pine straw, vines, pine cones and leaves) should continue to be put in bags or containers to be picked up on regular schedule. Do not use wheelbarrows, tarps, or the city-provided trash cart or recycling cart.
• There is no restriction to the size of debris for pickup, but small debris should continue to be put in bags or containers.
• Please do not mix non-organic items (roofing tiles, scrap lumber, rocks, etc.) with your yard waste.
• Yard waste should not be placed in the street and should not block water meters, fire hydrants, storm drains or obstruct the view of motorists.
• The city appreciates the patience and cooperation of customers as storm clean-up continues.