For Immediate Release

December 16, 2004 - (Charlotte, NC) - 'Tis the season for excess garbage.  To ensure efficient holiday collection, customers are reminded:

• Charlotte Solid Waste Services will  collect garbage, recyclables, yard waste and bulky items on Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27.
• Because garbage tonnage increases during the Christmas holiday, residents are encouraged to recycle, including cardboard.  For a list of items accepted in the CURB IT! residential recycling program and directions on how to properly prepare recyclables, call 704.336.2673 or logon to http://curbit.charmeck.org.
• Overflow garbage should bagged and placed beside (not on top) of the rollout cart for collection.  Garbage outside the rollout cart will be accepted starting Monday, December 27.  Overflow garabge will not be collected outside the rollout cart after Friday, December 31.
• Solid Waste Services will collect live Christmas trees as a part of the CURB IT! yard waste collection program.  Residents are asked to remove decorations, tinsel, ornaments, and metal and plastic tree satnds before collection.
• Artificial trees should be scheduled for bulky item collection. To schedule a bulky item collection call 704.336.2673.

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City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services strives to deliver competitive and quality solid waste services for the residents of the city.  Charlotte's collection costs for garbage, recyclables, yard waste, andn bulky items are 34% less than the average for 14 other cities in North Carolina.