Illegal Dumping, Contamination from Hazardous Waste End Recycling Carts on North Carolina Private Property

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Chronic reports of illegal dumping and contamination from hazardous materials closed down the recycling carts in a Raleigh, North Carolina location.

A private property owner in North Carolina will have its recycling carts removed because of illegal dumping and hazardous waste contamination.

Illegal Dumping and Contamination from Hazardous Waste

The City of Raleigh has taken the unfortunate step of closing a vital community recycling site due to ongoing issues with illegal dumping. Effective Monday, December 11, the city has permanently shuttered the recycling carts at the Raleigh Triangle ReStore on North Raleigh Boulevard.

These containers, though city-owned, reside on private property through a longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The property owner has requested their removal due to persistent problems with illegal dumping, along with contamination from non-recyclable and hazardous waste.

For those seeking alternative recycling options, Wake County operates three nearby facilities:

Convenience Center #5: The Household Garbage & Recycling Center at 8401 Battle Bridge Rd, Raleigh.
Convenience Center #4: The Household Garbage & Recycling Center at 3600 Yates Mill Pond, Raleigh.
Convenience Center #10: The Household Garbage & Recycling Center at 5216 Knightdale-Eagle Rock Rd, Knightdale.

To determine the most suitable disposal location for waste materials, an online tool is available here.

Additionally, the City of Raleigh extends curbside trash, recyclables, and yard waste collection services to all Solid Waste Services customers. For residents with larger items that can be landfill-bound but don't fit in your garbage cart, the city offers a free bulky load collection service.

Recycling Carts in North Carolina Shutting Down

The removal of recycling carts at the Jaycee Park disposal site is not an isolated incident. In July, a similar situation unfolded as people using the Jaycee Park site were compelled to seek alternative recycling solutions. On any given day, the ground in front of the bins at the park is strewn with furniture, cardboard boxes, and various refuse. This problem has persisted for two to three years and is unlikely to be resolved solely by closing the site.

Stephani Jusino, a former user of the facility, observed an increase in discarded furniture and emphasized that this location is not intended for dumping; perhaps people are unaware of this fact. The site has been in operation since the 1980s and was the city's initial attempt to establish a central recycling collection site.

Also Read: Illegal Dumping of 800 Tons Electronic Waste in New York Results in Over $200k Fines

Stan Joseph, the director of solid waste services for the City of Raleigh, asserts that the site no longer fulfills its original purpose of promoting recycling. Despite efforts such as surveillance cameras, police patrols, and increased cleanups, illegal dumping continued unabated, prompting the decision to close the site.

Concerns persist that closing the site may not offer a final solution, potentially leading to dumping in unauthorized areas, such as the woods across the street. The city is prepared for this eventuality and plans to educate the public about alternative options. Joseph's objective is to enhance the city and maintain pristine, clean parks for the community's benefit. There are 11 monitored convenience centers in Wake County where residents can explore alternative recycling options.