Wilmington trash pick-up changes start next week

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington is making some changes to its trash pick-up next week. The changes specifically deal with yard trash and electronics.

Starting Wednesday, to ensure more efficient and dependable service for all city customers, the city has placed a limit on the amount of yard debris that customers can place on their curb each week. The city has provided this list of regulations and tips to ensure your yard waste is collected in a timely manner:

• City trash customers can set out up to 7 cubic yards of yard waste in the right-of-way for collection. This is equal to a pile approximately 5-feet wide, 11-feet long and 3½-feet high – about the same size as 8 large size garbage/recycling carts. This includes all yard waste, whether it’s loose, in  containers, or both.
• Limbs cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length and must be placed neatly for pickup. Loose items, such as leaves, pine straw or small cuttings, must be put in bags or containers not to exceed 35 gallons in size (same size as small trash cart) or weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Yard waste placed on tarps, in wheelbarrows or on trailers will not be collected.
• Contracted work performed by tree service companies or independent contractors will not be collected by city crews; it is the responsibility of the contractor to remove and properly dispose of debris.
• Yard waste should NEVER be placed in the street. It must be placed only in the right-of-way for collection and cannot block water meters, storm drains or obstruct the view of motorists.

Violators placing an excessive amount of debris out for collection could face a civil fine of $50 per day.

The city will also now pick up intact televisions and computers weekly for city trash customers. Customers must call (910) 341-7875 to schedule an appointment for pickup. After the appointment has been scheduled, the electronic device should be placed curbside no earlier than the night before the scheduled pick up day. This is the same procedure that customers follow for pickup of bulky items that do not fit into the trash cart.