Who manages recycling in Charlotte?
The City of Charlotte is responsible for managing the collection of residential recyclables.  Solid Waste Services operates under managed competition.  Under this business model Solid Waste bids on providing service in each collection area just like private contractors.[1]  

Does the City of Charlotte manage business recycling?Business recycling is managed by Mecklenburg County. 

Is recycling mandatory in the City of Charlotte?
Residents are not required to recycle; however, they are strongly encouraged to recycle.  Business recycling is mandatory.

 Which recyclable items does the City of Charlotte collect?

• No. 1 and No. 2 recyclable plastics (milk jugs, liquid detergent bottles, plastic soft drink bottles, etc.)
• Glass (rinse and remove lids)
•  Aluminum
• Newspapers and inserts (stack on top of, beside or underneath recycling bin)
• Magazines
•  Junk mail (letters, envelopes, postcards, etc.)
• Mixed paper
• Spiral paper cans (remove plastic or metal lids and rinse or wipe out remaining food)
• Telephone books
• Catalogues
• Soft-drink and beer cans
• Soft-drink and liquor bottles
• Cardboard (please cut, do not fold, into 3 feet x 3 feet pieces and stack neatly at curbside)

Remove all lids and flatten recyclables when possible. 

When is recycling collected?
Recycling is collected once a week on the same day as garbage. 

How is recycling collected?
The city's recycling program is divided into four zones – north, south, east and west.  Recycling is collected using this zone system.

How can I get a CURB IT! recycling bin?
Charlotte residents are provided with one recycling bin when they first order service. You may pick up additional recycling bins at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center or other specified locations.  Click here to find recycling bin pick up locations.

How does the recycling process work?

• City recycling collection crews deliver collected recyclables to the Metrolina Recycling Center.
• Recyclables brought to the facility are sorted and prepared for market.
• Finally, the baled materials being loaded onto tractor trailers.  

What is the participation rate for the CURB IT! residential recycling program?
Currently, 43 to 45 percent (set-out rate) of all Charlotte residents participate in the recycling program; however, Charlotteans throw away six times more refuse than they recycle.

What is the biggest challenge to recycling?
Although the overall participation rate for the residential recycling program is 43 to 45 percent, participation (calculated using the average recycling tonnage for particular areas) is low in the west and north collection zones.  An increase in recycling in these areas can help increase efficiency, decrease cost and protect the environment.

What can residents do to improve help improve the CURB IT! residential recycling program?
Residents are encouraged to recycle, and when doing so, they should adhere to all guidelines set forth by the program, including:

• Placing recycling bins 2 feet from the curb and at least 3 feet away from other bins, rollout carts, yard waste bulky items, and obstacles such as mailboxes, telephone poles and automobiles
• Cutting cardboard into 3x3 feet, and stack neatly at curbside (TIP: To save space, place cardboard under the recycling bin.)
• Placing newspapers at the bottom of the recycling bin to avoid papers from blowing out the bin
•  Using paper bags to store magazines and newspapers (please, DO NOT use plastic bags)

What are the advantages of recycling?
Recycling is important for several reasons.  Recycling helps:

• Decrease cost
• Preserve landfill space 
• Save energy
• Protect the environment
• Improve quality of life by improving community aesthetics
• Increase operational efficiency

Additional Information

• Charlotte's residential recycling program is one of the largest in-house curbside recycling programs collected by city workforces in the southeast and the largest program in the Carolinas.
• Charlotte spends $51 to collect each ton of garbage, compared to a statewide average of $92.

Recycling at home is easy. To recycle at home:
- Leave recycling bin by garbage can.
- Place recyclable items in recycling bin.
- When bin is full, place recycling bin at curbside (be sure to 
   place bin 2 feet from the curb and at least 3 feet away from 
   rollout cart and other recyclables).

[1] See "How is recycling collected?" for information on the collection zone system.