Solid Waste Collection Schedules to Change for More Than 43,000 Raleigh Households

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs
Prepared by: Megan Hinkle, Communications Specialist,
Solid Waste Services Department

For more information: Solid Waste Services Department, 919-996-6890


August 1, 2013

Solid Waste Collection Schedules to Change for More Than 43,000 Raleigh Households

The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department will soon implement a new route schedule for garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection. As a result, more than 43,000 Raleigh households will see a change in their collection day, their recycling week, or both. The changes will take effect the week of Sept. 3.

The purpose for changing the route structure is largely due to Raleigh’s rapid growth. From the 2000 Census to 2012, Raleigh’s population has grown by 53 percent, with a 45.2 percent increase in housing units between 2000 and  2011. These numbers have practical implications on the Solid Waste Services Department’s ability to maintain appropriate service levels for all customers. Currently, the department’s daily routes are out of balance with each other. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, City crews service about 50 percent more households than on Thursdays. By changing the collection schedule, daily routes will be more balanced, ensuring more reliable service.

In June, the Solid Waste Services Department mailed postcards to all customers affected by these changes. Customers also may use the maps feature of the City website, found at http://www.raleighnc.gov/maps, to determine if they will have a change in service this fall.

In August, customers affected by these changes will receive a calendar showing their new service schedule for September 2013 through June 2014. The City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department strongly advises all residents to keep their postcards and calendars as reference guides about these changes.

Many customers are accustomed to seeing their favorite garbage, recycling, or yard-waste crew service their street at a particular time of day. With the changes in the route structure, collection times may vary within any particular route. Starting in September, customers can expect to see crews working at different times and places. Crews may service an entire day’s route in a new pattern, leading to collection service being provided earlier or later in the day than is provided currently. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the collection day. 


To create the new routes, the Solid Waste Services Department staff used the routing technology software RouteSmart. The system, widely used by parcel delivery services and utility companies, employs best practices in developing turn by turn directions in a way that conserves fuel, improves mileage, enhances safety, and cuts costs. Since being implemented by the City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department in 2009, RouteSmart has enabled the department to streamline its collection services while using these best practices.

For additional information about these changes, call the Solid Waste Services Department at 919-996-6890 or visit the City of Raleigh website at www.raleighnc.gov.