Report on Municipal Solid Waste Management Schedule Adjustments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Published: November 25, 2024

This report details the City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services’ operational schedule modifications for the 2024 holiday season. These adjustments are analyzed within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Commitment to Sustainable Urban Management (SDG 11)

The City of Charlotte demonstrates its commitment to SDG Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through effective municipal waste management. By providing a clear, revised schedule, the city ensures the continuity of essential services, which is fundamental to maintaining a safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environment. The proactive communication of these changes empowers residents to participate effectively in the city’s waste management system.

Thanksgiving Holiday Collection Schedule

To observe the Thanksgiving holiday, collection services will be adjusted. This structured approach ensures that public health and environmental cleanliness are maintained.

• No Collection: Thursday, November 28.
• Revised Schedule: A one-day delay will be in effect following the holiday.
  • Thursday, Nov. 28 collections will occur on Friday, Nov. 29.
  • Friday, Nov. 29 collections will occur on Saturday, Nov. 30.
• Recycling Note: This is a designated green recycling collection week, contributing to SDG 12 by diverting materials from landfills.

Christmas Holiday Collection Schedule

Similar adjustments will be made for the Christmas holiday, reinforcing the city’s dedication to reliable services and sustainable practices.

• No Collection: Wednesday, December 25.
• Revised Schedule: A one-day delay will affect services from Wednesday through Friday.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 25 collections will occur on Thursday, Dec. 26.
  • Thursday, Dec. 26 collections will occur on Friday, Dec. 27.
  • Friday, Dec. 27 collections will occur on Saturday, Dec. 28.
• Recycling Note: This will also be a green recycling week, promoting responsible consumption patterns during a period of high consumption.

New Year’s Schedule and Promotion of Circular Economy Principles (SDG 12 & SDG 13)

The collection schedule for the New Year’s holiday week will proceed as normal, with an emphasis on responsible disposal of seasonal items like Christmas trees. This directly supports SDG 12.5 (substantially reduce waste generation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

1. New Year’s Week Collection: Regular schedule for all services. This will be an orange recycling week.
2. Natural Christmas Tree Collection: Beginning January 1, natural trees will be collected with yard waste. This practice supports a circular economy by turning waste into a resource (mulch) and contributes to climate action by diverting organic material from landfills, thereby reducing methane emissions. Trees must be free of all decorations.
3. Artificial Tree Disposal: Artificial trees must be scheduled for bulky item collection. This distinction encourages residents to consider the lifecycle of products and supports responsible waste management.

Enhancing Citizen Engagement for Sustainability Goals

The city provides multiple tools to facilitate resident participation in its sustainability efforts, a key component of creating inclusive communities under SDG 11.

• Service Alerts: Residents can receive collection updates by texting their service day (e.g., “Thursday”) to 73224.
• Information Access: Collection schedules and recycling week designations (orange/green) can be verified by address using the GeoPortal.
• Bulky Waste Scheduling: Appointments for items like artificial trees can be made by calling 311 or using the curbit.charlottenc.gov website or CLT+ app.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Based on the article’s content, the following SDGs are addressed:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article directly relates to this by describing the municipal solid waste management services in the City of Charlotte. An organized and reliable waste collection system is a fundamental service for maintaining a clean, healthy, and sustainable urban environment.

   • Evidence from the article: The text details the operational schedules for collecting “garbage, recycling, yard waste and scheduled bulky waste.” This organized management of municipal waste is a core component of sustainable urban infrastructure.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   This goal focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. A key aspect of this is the environmentally sound management of waste throughout its life cycle. The article’s emphasis on recycling and proper disposal of different types of waste aligns with this goal.

   • Evidence from the article: The article specifies different collection weeks for recycling (“green recycling collection week,” “orange recycling collection week”) and provides distinct instructions for disposing of natural Christmas trees (as yard waste) versus artificial trees (as bulky items). This promotes the separation of waste streams to facilitate recycling and proper treatment, which is central to reducing the overall environmental impact of consumption.

Specific Targets Identified

The following specific targets can be identified from the article’s content:

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   This target states, “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The article is entirely focused on the operational details of a municipal waste management system.

   • Evidence from the article: The provision of a regular, scheduled service for garbage, recycling, and yard waste by “City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services” is a direct action toward managing municipal waste, thereby contributing to reducing the city’s environmental footprint.

2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

   This target aims to “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The city’s program, as described, actively facilitates recycling.

   • Evidence from the article: The mention of “green” and “orange” recycling weeks and the specific instruction to place natural Christmas trees “at the curb for yard waste collection” are practical measures that encourage residents to separate recyclable and compostable materials from general garbage. This separation is the first step in the recycling process and helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicator for Target 11.6 (Implied)

   The official indicator is 11.6.1: “Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal solid waste generated, by cities.”

   • How the article implies it: The article describes a comprehensive and city-wide collection service for multiple waste streams (garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulky items). The existence of such a structured system, complete with holiday schedules and communication channels (“text their day of service to 73224”), implies a high rate of municipal solid waste collection and management within the city. The service’s goal is to collect all waste generated by residents, which is the basis of this indicator.

2. Indicator for Target 12.5 (Implied)

   The official indicator is 12.5.1: “National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.”

   • How the article implies it: The article’s detailed instructions for recycling—differentiating between recycling weeks and types of waste (e.g., natural vs. artificial trees)—point to a system designed to maximize the amount of material recycled. The separate collection of “recycling” and “yard waste” directly contributes to the city’s overall recycling rate. The volume of materials collected during “green” and “orange” recycling weeks could serve as a local measure contributing to this indicator.

Summary of Findings

Source: charlottenc.gov