The Town of Wake Forest believes that everyone who lives and/or operates a business in Wake Forest expects their neighbors to properly dispose of their garbage and other refuse. They also reasonably expect the Town to ensure that everyone’s solid waste is disposed of properly in accordance with the Town’s Code of Ordinances.
Chapter 26 of the Town of Wake Forest Code of Ordinances specifically addresses all facets of solid waste, including residential service, commercial service, littering and more. To review the code, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/code-of-ordinances.aspx.
In recent weeks, Town officials have noted the repeated failure of numerous residents and businesses to adhere to the code. As a result, officials wish to remind residents and business owners of the following guidelines:
Residential Sanitation Service
The Town of Wake Forest provides mandatory residential sanitation service for single-family dwellings (up to four total units) that have private driveways. The service includes one rollout garbage cart, one rollout recycling cart and weekly collection service.
Commercial Service
All multi-family residential (greater than four units total), office, institutional, educational, commercial and industrial uses shall have refuse collection through a dumpster system and may contract with any commercial service provider. Rollout garbage and recycling carts are intended for households only.
Extra Garbage & Recycling Carts
Households may request an additional rollout garbage cart for a fee of $10.80/month and a recycling cart for $3.51/month by calling 919-435-9570. The Public Works Department will deliver the cart to the address specified in your request.
Positioning Your Carts at the Curb
Only rollout carts properly positioned along the right-of-way are eligible for curbside collection service. When setting your carts out for collection, please remember the following:
Place your cart at the curb before 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day;
Rollout carts must be rolled out to the right-of-way with the arrows facing out to the street;
Leave four feet of space between the garbage and recycling carts so the truck’s mechanical “arm” can grip each cart;
Carts should also be at least four feet away from power poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, trees and cars.
Please note: Garbage and recycling collection trucks are not allowed to go on private property for pick-up, unless special permission is granted by the Public Works Director.
Bag Your Garbage, Not Your Recycling
Town ordinance requires that trash be bagged before being placed in the cart. This prevents flyaway litter as the cart is emptied into the truck. Also, do not place bags or boxes of garbage on the ground. Bags and/or boxes of trash left beside the rollout cart will not be serviced. Recyclables should be placed loosely in your recycling rollout cart.
Not Sure About What to Recycle – Use the “Waste Wizard”
The “Waste Wizard” is a handy online tool designed to help Wake Forest residents properly sort their household waste. Using the wizard, simply type in the name of an item (such as “wrapping paper”) and the wizard will tell you whether it should go in your recycling cart or garbage can. Some items such as motor oil or fluorescent bulbs are not accepted in either cart and must be dropped off at a Wake County facility. If in doubt, check with the wizard to determine if an item is considered hazardous and where the item can be taken for safe handling. Visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Waste Wizard.” Please note: The Waste Wizard is only available for Wake Forest residents who receive residential sanitation service from the Town of Wake Forest.
For more information about Town of Wake Forest sanitation service, call 919-435-9570 or visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “sanitation.”