Solid Waste Service FAQs

• Report a missed collection within 48 hours of the miss by calling CharMeck 311 (704-336-7600).

• Request a cart repair by:
  • Calling CharMeck 311 (704-366-7600).
  • Emailing cartsadmin@charlottenc.gov.

Please be prepared to provide the following information when calling or emailing:

• Your name.
• Your address.
• Which cart is damaged (garbage, recycling, both).
• What part of the cart is damaged (wheel, lid, axle, barrel, and/or bar).

• Garbage is collected weekly on your designated collection day.
• You can find your collection day on the My Charlotte Lookup tool.

Review more garbage collection guidelines.

• Household trash should be bagged and fit inside the cart with the lid closed.
• Garbage bags should be tied before being placed in the garbage cart to prevent litter.
• No loose garbage should be placed in the cart. Loose garbage can cause neighborhood litter.
• No hazardous waste, construction debris or electronics. Lithium batteries and vape pens are not eligible for collection. Review our Household Hazardous Waste disposal guidelines to learn more about how to dispose of these and other hazardous waste materials.

Review more garbage collection guidelines.

• Yard waste is collected weekly on the same day as your garbage. 

Review more yard waste collection guidelines.

• Place leaves, grass clippings and small branches in paper bags or loose in a personal container, weighing no more than 75 pounds
• Limbs should be less than 4 feet long and under 6 inches in diameter.
• Separate brush into piles that are no longer than 5 feet long and 3 feet high. There should be 2 feet in between each pile.

Review more yard waste collection guidelines.

• Furniture, mattresses, appliances and other large household items.
• Review a list of items considered bulky waste.
• Please note this isn’t an exhaustive list. Please call CharMeck 311 if you have questions about the acceptability of your items.

• Bulky waste collection must be scheduled in advance. You can schedule a pickup by:
  • Scheduling Online
  • Calling 311
  • Using the CLT+ app

• Recycling is collected every other week (bi-weekly) on your collection day.
  • Collection is provided to customers on a green or orange week.
  • Find out if your collection is on green or orange week using My Charlotte Lookup.
  • Download the recycling calendar to find the green and orange week schedule.

• Paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and containers. All items must be empty, clean and dry. No plastic bags or food-soiled containers.
• Cardboard should be cut/broken down to fit loosely in the cart. Unflattened or unbroken-down boxes will not be collected and could cause your recycling cart to not fully empty.
• Find a full list of what’s recyclable and how to prepare for collection.

• Text your collection day (e.g., Monday) to 73224 to subscribe for updates, including:
  • Service impacts (delays, weather changes, holiday schedules)
  • Recycling and waste management tips
  • Voluntary surveys and feedback opportunities
  • Other helpful info to support efficient, high-quality service
• Moving? If you move, stop your subscription and re-register using your new collection day to continue receiving accurate updates.

More service details can be found by viewing our administrative policy(PDF, 748KB).