It's sad but true – but, more importantly, it's illegal. Many people dump loads of trash on road shoulders near Wake County Convenience Centers – the 11 residential drop-off recycling and disposal facilities across the County – instead of taking the time to handle their waste properly. Wake County's Solid Waste Management Division is cleaning up the unsightly and unhealthy garbage to discourage additional dumping and improve the appearance of the sites in time for the holiday rush. A contractor will pick up the garbage and trash left on the rights-of-way surrounding each facility, benefiting neighbors and customers alike.
This type of criminal activity should be curtailed in the near future because the County has a new Litter Line (856-5700) for citizens to report illegal dumping and littering when they see it, and state legislators recently put more bite into the penalties.
"Law enforcement is dispatched just like any other crime in progress" Wake Environmental Services Director Rick Rowe said, "so these folks stand to become very inconvenienced if they get caught."
More shopping trips and family gatherings generate more trash; therefore, the potential for illegal dumping increases as the Convenience Centers experience a surge in volume, explained Solid Waste Management Director Jim Reynolds.
"We'll get this cleaned up before the rush, and increase container pulls and staffing levels to ensure capacity…so people aren't tempted to dump their trash outside the gates," Reynolds said.
The added traffic, along with the County's Holiday Wrap-Up recycling program at five of the 11 sites, takes its toll on the site attendants, as well.
"These attendants only get Christmas day off work," Reynolds said. "It's notable that they work outdoors in the cold, serving the public, when most of us are celebrating with our families."
Consistently linking operations and customer service objectives is part of the Division's plan for integrated solid waste management, explains Reynolds.
"We're always looking to connect the dots and work smarter," he said.
For more information regarding these or other Solid Waste Management services, call 856-6186 or click here.