Based on the results of a 2021 community survey, the town has invested in improvements to the town’s solid waste and recycling services including the distribution of roll-out cans.  In addition to meeting the needs and preferences of our residents, roll-out cans also help to protect the health and welfare of our employees, and to minimize environmental impacts on our community. To learn more about the risks to sanitation workers, please review this article: Worker Safety in Solid Waste Collection.  To see how the automated trucks will help reduce injury to our sanitation workers, please watch this video (Note: you only need to watch the first minute of the video to see how collection will work).

These cans are being issued at no cost to our residents and are funded through the American Rescue Plan monies received by the town in 2021.

No.  The Town of Woodfin’s solid waste ordinance (adopted 1993) requires that all trash be contained within a hard-sided container, formerly supplied by the homeowner.  The collection of bagged trash creates risks to our employees (i.e. repetitive motion injury or injury from sharp objects) and to the environment when bags tear or rip because of overpacking or from wildlife and other animals.  Once cans are distributed to all households, sanitation staff will no longer collect bagged trash or trash contained in non-town issued trash cans.

We recommend that residents store their cans in a flat, easily accessible area of their property such as a garage, side yard, or the end of a driveway.  The new cans are made of a high-density all-weather plastic and may be stored outdoors.

Per the town’s solid waste ordinance, containers are to be placed and removed from the roadside the same day as collection.  Individuals who wish to establish a communal collection area should contact the town for review and approval.

Standard 96-Gallon Can                  Standard 64-Gallon Can
   

Unfortunately, the town will only be able to supply one trash and one recycling can per address; however, the 96-gallon can should accommodate most households. If you are a home with more than one residential unit/address and you do not receive a can for each separate address, please contact town staff at the information provided.

Yes.*  Please refer to the posted trash collection schedule for your assigned collection day.  Recycling will continue to be collected on the same day of the week as your trash collection according to the bi-weekly schedule listed below.  In the event that your garbage collection date is moved to accommodate a holiday your recycling collection will be similarly adjusted.

Recycling A/B Schedule
Recycling A/B Streets

*Changes to collection day may be necessary for individuals seeking special accommodations or small businesses (see other Q&As)

The town will continue to provide collection services for small businesses only.  If you are a small business with 10 or fewer employees, and your location has fewer than five businesses, you will receive a roll-out can for trash.  Employers with more than 10 employees, employment centers with more than five businesses, or those businesses that generate waste in excess of the capacity of a single 96-gallon can must switch to a commercial collection service.  If you are unsure if you fit the category of a small business, please contact town staff at the information provided.
Small business collection days will now be on Monday.

Residents who would prefer a smaller, 64-gallon can may request one by calling town hall at (828) 253-4887 ext. 1001 or by emailing: clerk@woodfin-nc.gov.

Dimensions of the two trashcan options are included above.  Additionally, large and small can samples will be left outside of town hall for any resident who would like to come and view them in-person.  Residents requiring special assistance to identify the most appropriate size may contact town hall at the information provided.

No.  The town issued cans will not be bear proof; however, residents who already have their own bear proof can may continue to use their own provided it is equipped with a metal handle that works with the town’s automated rear lift.  Individuals wishing to use their own bear proof can should call the town to request an all-weather decal that will be applied to the side of the can.  Individuals who do not have their own bear proof can may invest in one or explore an after-market securing system (i.e. straps) available at a number of retailers.  For more information about co-existing with North Carolina’s black bear population, please visit www.bearwise.org  Bearwise also includes recommendations for a number of bearproof cans

The weight of your can is based primarily on the type and volume of household waste generated, and not necessarily by the weight of the can itself.  The handle and wheel features of the roll-out cans make them easy to use and maneuver, regardless of size; however, residents who prefer a smaller 64-gallon can may request one by contacting the town at the information provided.

Residents who are physically unable to manage transporting their cans to and from the collection site may request special accommodation by having a physician document the need for assistance.  In these instances, town staff will make special arrangements to collect trash with a collection day of Wednesday.  The application for special accommodation with physician’s statement can be found here and should be dropped off, mailed, or emailed to town staff.  Please allow 30 days for review and approval.

*Document not yet available for special accommodations

Residents are encouraged to explore options for can storage in an area that is convenient, secure and accessible by our sanitation staff – in most instances, this will be the same location where you currently deposit your trash.  Residents who share access on a private or gravel driveway not currently accessed by the town’s sanitation trucks may want to collectively identify the most appropriate location for a shared storage area.  Those residents for whom this option is impractical, or undesirable may request special accommodation by filling out the application and paying a $300 annual fee. 

Residents in need of special accommodation but who are unable to afford it are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to speak to a specialist or go to 211.org for finding assistance on-line.  Staff at 211.org work to connect residents with local non-profit providers who offer a variety of assistance, including help with basic living needs.    Residents may also take their bagged trash to the Buncombe County Landfill (85 Panther Rd.) or the Buncombe County Transfer Station (140 Hominy Creek Rd.) for a nominal fee.  Both centers also accept recycling free of charge. 

Bi-weekly collection is more efficient, less costly, less intrusive and results in fewer miles travelled by large trucks, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint.  In addition, there is data to support that the amount of recycling materials collected increases with the issuance of larger cans, even with bi-weekly collection.

We strongly encourage all residents to recycle and our partners at Curbside Management will collect your recycling, regardless of volume.  Residents who do not want the large containers may opt out of receiving a large recycling can by contacting the town.  Residents also have the option of taking their recycling to one of the local recycling convenience centers:

• Buncombe County Landfill – 85 Panther Rd.
• Buncombe County Transfer Station – 190 Hominy Creek Rd.
• Curbside Management (cardboard only) – 116 Woodfin Ave.

Please contact the town at the information provided to opt out of the 96-gallong recycling can. 

No.  Curbside Management will continue to recycle the same items your current service accepts.  For a list of recyclable items, please review Curbside Management’s flyer. 

We strongly encourage residents to re-use or re-purpose their old cans and bins, or sell or give away cans in good condition, and there are several on-line platforms available to aid in this (Craig’s List, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, etc.).  Additionally, old recycling bins may be placed inside your new recycling can and Curbside Management will collect them for recycling.

Your old trash and recycling cans cannot be used for brush and leaf collection.

New residents, or residents who need to replace a can, should contact the town staff at the information provided – please allow up to 7 days for delivery.  Residents seeking a new or replacement recycling can will no longer contact Curbside Management for their cans and should contact the town instead.

Residents seeking to establish a communal collection area should make a proposal to the town identifying 1) the location, 2) how many cans are requested, and 3) whether and what type of screening may be used. 

Location:  The location of the communal collection area should be as close to the current collection point as possible, and must be off, or just on the edge of pavement.  In most instances, this will likely still be in the town’s road right-of-way.  A communal collection area may also be placed off the edge of the road on private property; however, residents will be responsible for obtaining any necessary approvals from private property owners. 

Number of cans:  Each household is entitled to one large trash and recycling can each.  However, for shared collection, the town recommends discussing with neighbors whether sharing cans would be practical.  Sharing cans will help reduce the footprint of the communal collection area. 

Screening:  Screening is not required for an approved communal collection area but we understand that many residents may prefer screening of some kind.  A permanent or semi-permanent screen must be entirely off the edge of pavement and must be approved by the town prior to installation.  If the screening includes a locked gate/door, residents will need to remove their cans prior to collection.  Otherwise, the screening must be open and cans accessible by sanitation staff.

Yes, we will. However, please limit it to 1 piece of furniture a month and have it out on your regular garbage pickup day. 

You can start using your new trash and recycling cans as soon as you receive them.

The bi-weekly recycling collection schedule will start on November 1st.  It will remain a weekly pick-up until then.

Flattened cardboard may be placed under or beside the recycling container if it doesn’t fit inside.

The Town is only issuing 1 trashcan and 1 recycling can per household.  If you have more trash than fits in the 96-gallon trashcan or recycling can, you can take that to the Bunbombe County Landfill (85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander, NC 28701) or the Buncombe County Transfer Station(190 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28801) and you can contact Buncombe County at 828-250-6205.

To contact the town about these or any other questions, please call (828) 253-4887 ext. 1001 or email clerk@woodfin-nc.gov.  Residents may also visit town hall located at 90 Elk Mountain Rd.  between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.