SOUTHEAST N.C. — The holidays are here which means time for food, family, and fun. But celebrations also lead to excess amounts of waste each year.
From Christmas trees to cardboard packaging and discarded wrapping materials, it can add up. Depending on the region, waste pickup schedules may be adjusted for the holidays.
Port City Daily has compiled a list of closures and delays from across South East N.C. below:
City of Wilmington
Trash
Normally the city charges to collect excess trash that does not fit in the cart, but city trash customers will not be charged for 2 additional bags of excess trash on the first scheduled trash pickup after Christmas.
After that, customers will need to purchase stickers for any extra trash that does not fit in their trash cart. A minimum of 12 stickers can be purchased by calling 910-341-7875.
Recycling
Most holiday debris such as cardboard is recyclable and can be put in the large blue recycling carts for pickup. Excess recycling that won’t fit in the blue carts can be put at the curb in a box, bin or paper bag and it will be picked up at no charge. The city asks customers to break down and flatten cardboard boxes. Foil wrapping paper is not recyclable but all other wrapping paper may be recycled.
Christmas trees
If you are a city trash customer, the city will recycle your Christmas tree. Simply remove all decorations and lights from the tree and put it curbside with any other vegetative debris on your normal service day.
Be sure not to place the tree near any storm drains and be sure it does not block access to any mailboxes or sidewalks.
New Hanover County
Trash
New Hanover County does not provide trash pickup for residents. Check with your local provider for details.
Recycling
The county does provide drop-off locations for recycling across the county. Residents can recycle cardboard, glass, plastics, and papers at these sites.
Christmas Trees
As a free service to New Hanover County residents, the county’s Environmental Management Department is offering Christmas tree recycling beginning December 26 through January 15.
Trees and wreaths must have all lights and decorations removed, and artificial trees cannot be accepted. There will be a designated area at each location for the trees to be neatly stacked. The drop-off locations are:
- Home Depot, 5511 Carolina Beach Road
- Home Depot, 210 Eastwood Road
- New Hanover County Landfill, 5210 US Highway 421 North
Carolina Beach
There will be no yard debris pick up this week, trash services are not listed on the town’s website with any noted changes.
Kure Beach
Trash
Pickup per usual provided by the town.
Christmas Trees
Every year, during the first two weeks in January, Public Works will pick up your discarded Christmas tree free of charge. Please leave your tree on your property line for pickup during that time.
If you place extra debris alongside of your tree for pickup, you will be charged the standard fee for removing the extra debris. Call Public Works if you have any questions.
Wrightsville Beach
Trash
Town trash services will not take place on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tree removal
The town will remove Christmas trees from the curb free of charge until January 31st, 2020. Be sure trees are bare of all ornaments, lights, and decorations. Any tree left at the curb after January 31st will be subject to the yard debris removal fee.
Pender County
Trash
All the Pender County Convenience Sites will close at 3 pm Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and will remain closed through Christmas Day.
All locations will be open on Dec. 26th and all locations will resume normal operating hours beginning Dec. 27th.
Christmas Trees
Pender County residents may dispose of their Christmas trees at the Rocky Point and Hampstead Convenience Centers for 3 weeks following Christmas through Jan. 16th. Christmas lights and ornaments should be removed from the trees prior to disposal.
Brunswick County
Trash
Trash and recycling collections scheduled for Wednesday, December 25th will be collected on Saturday, December 28th.
Normal trash and recycling pickup schedules continue on New Year’s Day but the county landfill will be closed.
County convenience centers will close Christmas Day and reopen Dec. 27 and close New Year’s Day and reopen Jan. 3.
Christmas Trees
The Brunswick County landfill in Bolivia will accept Christmas trees at no charge through the month of January. A charge of $5 will be applied to Christmas trees disposed of at county convenience sites.
Town of Leland
Leland’s vegetative debris drop-off site on Lanvale Road will permanently close Jan. 11, 2020. The nearest county convenience site is located on Chappell Loop Road.
