Residents are reminded that the new recycling collection calendar will be included in the City's August utility bill. In addition to the collection schedule, the insert will also include what can and can't be recycled and item preparation tips.

A digital version of the calendar is also available online. 

Solid Waste Services is teaming up for a fifth year with the Carolina Panthers, Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Bojangles' and Charlotte Center City Partners to sack waste and score big for recycling with the Tailgate Recycling Program. Volunteers are being recruited to assist parking lot operators in distributing yellow recycling bags and sharing information with fans about what to recycle.

Before heading into the stadium, tailgaters are instructed to leave the bags (and collapsed cardboard if not in the bag) at the curb to be picked up by Solid Waste Services. Tailgating generates close to 10 tons of waste on most game days. Last year, during the 12 game season, 8,845 bags of recycling were collected. As a result over 30 tons of recyclables were diverted from the landfill.

For program and volunteer information, click here.

To recycle or not to recycle: That’s the dilemma you face when you’re ready to toss out the plastic cap that came on your soda or water bottle.

Bottle caps can not be recycled curbside and instead, should be disposed of in the garbage cart. Leaving caps on bottles creates problems at the sorting facility. When bottles are crushed, caps can shoot off at high speeds, causing a safety hazard for recycling workers.

Drop-off options:

• Avedastores and salons: You can take your bottle caps to one of Aveda’s stores or salons, where the maker of naturally-derived personal care products will recycle the material into new caps for their own products.
• Whole Foods and other natural food stores: Recycle your plastic bottle caps on your next grocery shopping trip.