wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 1
WA S T E
WIZARD
HELPS YOU SORT
YOUR WASTE WISELY
TRASH,
RECYCLING
YARD WASTE
RESIDENTS GUIDE TO
&
PICKUP
HELPING YOU SORT YOUR WASTE WISELY
Meet the “Waste Wizard” — the Town of Wake
Forest’s handy online tool designed to help you
sort your household waste properly.
Using the Waste 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 trash can. Some items such as
motor oil or ourescent bulbs are not accepted in
either cart and must be dropped o at a 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.
YOUR COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Trash, recycling and yard waste is collected once a
week from single-family residences within the town
limits of Wake Forest.
To see your collection schedule, including any
changes due to holidays, visit the Waste Wizard.
Using the “My Schedule” function of the Waste
Wizard, you can sign up to receive a customized
calendar or notication for your trash and recycling
schedule.
Visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Waste Wizard.”
CONTENTS
Waste Wizard ........................................... 2
Your Rollout Carts ...................................3
Recycling .................................................4
Trash .........................................................6
Bulk Waste ...............................................7
Waste Collection Alternatives .................8
Yard Waste ............................................... 9
Loose Leaf Collection ............................ 11
CONTACT US
Town of Wake Forest
Public Works Department
234 Friendship Chapel Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-435-9570
wakeforestnc.gov, search “sanitation”
publicworksdept@wakeforestnc.gov
NEW RESIDENTS
New residents do not need to apply
for sanitation service. Instead, contact
Public Works at 919-435-9570 or
publicworksdept@wakeforestnc.gov to
request your carts.
STAY INFORMED
Sign up for the Town’s free email
subscription service at wakeforestnc.gov,
search for “e-notier.”
n n n
The Town of Wake Forest strives to
provide quality residential sanitation
service, including weekly curbside trash
and recycling collection, as well as yard
waste and bulk pickup.
The information in this guide is provided
to help ensure you receive the best
service possible and to inform you about
additional information resources available
on the Town’s website. If you choose not
to keep this guide, please recycle it.
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wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 3
YOUR ROLLOUT CARTS
4 ft min 4 ft min
4 ft min
HOW TO POSITION YOUR CARTS CORRECTLY
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Carts should be placed at the curb of the address being
serviced by 7 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day
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Arrows face out to the street
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Leave four feet of space between the carts so that the truck’s
“arm” can grip the cart
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Carts should be at least 4 feet away from utility poles, fences,
mailboxes, re hydrants, trees, cars and basketball goals
KEEPING YOUR CARTS CLEAN
Customers are responsible for keeping their carts
clean. Public Works recommends LA’s Totally
Awesome
®
all-purpose cleaner to remove stuck on
items and odors.
ADDITIONAL CARTS & CART REPAIRS
Each address is assigned one 96-gallon trash cart
and one 96-gallon recycling cart. Residents may
request additional rollout carts or repairs (if the
lid or wheels are missing or broken) by contacting
919-435-9570. Annual charges apply for additional
carts.
WHEN YOU MOVE, THE CARTS STAY
The carts belong to the Town of Wake Forest. If
you move, please leave your carts in your garage
or behind your home. Additionally, there’s no need
to cancel your service. Simply leave your carts in
the garage or behind the home.
PLACE CARTS OUT BY 7 A.M.
Please have carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day
of service but no earlier than 6 p.m. on the day
prior to service. Please bring carts back in on the
day of service.
BAG YOUR TRASH, BUT NOT RECYCLABLES
All trash should be bagged before it’s disposed of
in your trash rollout cart. This prevents yaway lit-
ter as the trash cart is emptied into the trash truck.
Recyclables should not be bagged or bundled
before placing in the recycling rollout cart. They
should be dropped loosely into the cart. This helps
when the items are being sorted at the recycling
facility.
4 | wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard”
RECYCLING
What’s Accepted
What’s Accepted Somewhere Else
(but not in your recycling cart)
What’s Not Accepted
mixed paper paperboard clean corrugated
cardboard
milk & juice
cartons
paper egg
carton
beverage
containers
plastic
containers
rigid plastics plastic bottles plastic cup lids
green glass brown glass clear glass
(jars & bottles)
aluminum cans aluminum foil
unsoiled
metal food cans
plastic bags
(take to the
grocery store)
hangers
(take back to the
dry cleaner)
batteries (drop
o at Wake County
recycling facilities)
electronic
equipment
(drop o at Wake
County recycling
facilities)
bottles with
hazardous
substances
(see Wake County)
Before putting non-accepted items in your trash cart,
please consider disposing of these items at facilities
that can recycle or reuse them. See page 8.
plastic baggies styrofoam
drinking
glasses
soiled
cardboard
ceramics straws
plant trays shredded
paper
soiled food
containers
books*
*The cover and interior pages of books can be
recycled if the binding has been removed and
discarded. The binding is not recyclable.
How to Prepare Recycling for Collection
Do not bag recyclables. Items should be placed loose in the cart.
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empty and rinse containers if needed
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break down cardboard boxes to optimize space
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Unsure if an item
can be recycled?
Check the Waste
Wizard!
Type in the name of the item and the
Waste Wizard will tell you if it should
go in your recycling or trash cart.
Visit wakeforestnc.gov, and search
“Waste Wizard”.
wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 5
RECYCLING
What’s Accepted
What’s Accepted Somewhere Else
(but not in your recycling cart)
What’s Not Accepted
mixed paper paperboard clean corrugated
cardboard
milk & juice
cartons
paper egg
carton
beverage
containers
plastic
containers
rigid plastics plastic bottles plastic cup lids
green glass brown glass clear glass
(jars & bottles)
aluminum cans aluminum foil
unsoiled
metal food cans
plastic bags
(take to the
grocery store)
hangers
(take back to the
dry cleaner)
batteries (drop
o at Wake County
recycling facilities)
electronic
equipment
(drop o at Wake
County recycling
facilities)
bottles with
hazardous
substances
(see Wake County)
Before putting non-accepted items in your trash cart,
please consider disposing of these items at facilities
that can recycle or reuse them. See page 8.
plastic baggies styrofoam
drinking
glasses
soiled
cardboard
ceramics straws
plant trays shredded
paper
soiled food
containers
books*
*The cover and interior pages of books can be
recycled if the binding has been removed and
discarded. The binding is not recyclable.
clothing shoes purses
also: curtains, blankets, fabrics, table linens, hats,
sleeping bags and other textiles
Place clothing, shoes and other textiles in
the orange Simple Recycling bags and leave
the bags beside your recycling cart on your
regular recycling day. To request bags, visit
simplerecycling.com or call 866-835-5068.
Recycle Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
RECYCLING
6 | wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard”
TRASH
What’s Accepted What’s Not Accepted
lightbulbs
(not CFLs)
broken glass
grease & oil
(recycle the bottle)
pet waste
(must be bagged)
dried paint*
DEFINITION: Trash is common
non-hazardous household waste
that canot be recycled or reused.
*To dispose of unwanted paint leave the paint can
open to dry. Mix in play sand or kitty litter to help
absorb the paint. Once the paint has dried it can
then be discarded in your trash cart.
yard waste tires wooden pallets
☠
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
☠
automobile
uids
ourescent
lightbulbs
batteries
lighter uid/
kerosene
paints/
lacquers/
polishes
pesticides/
herbicides
also: acids, ammonia, bleach, chemicals, re extinguishers, fuel,
fungicides, herbicides, mercury thermometers, mineral spirits, oil-
based paint, paint thinners, pesticides, poisons, polishers, solvents.
How to Prepare Trash for Collection
Bag your trash before putting it into the cart.
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Town ordinance requires that trash be bagged before it’s placed in the cart. This
prevents yaway litter as the cart is emptied into the truck.
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Do not leave additional bags or boxes of trash next to your rollout cart. Items left next
to the cart will not be picked up.
Visit wakegov.com/recycling for drop-o locations of hazardous materials.
wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 7
BULK WASTE
COLLECTED ON TUESDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
What’s Accepted What’s Not Accepted
furniture lawn mowers
(drain oil and gas)
bookshelves appliances
(stove, refrigerator,
washer/dryer)
mattress mirrors
also: moving boxes, swings, packing materials
DEFINITION: Bulk waste is refuse
weighing in excess of 75 lbs.
Subject to the availability of equipment and to the
provisions of the Town’s bulk waste collection policy,
the maximum quantity of bulk waste which will be
collected is not regulated.
construction
material
(pre-treated lumber,
drywall)
move outs,
evictions &
clean-outs
concrete
gasoline, oil tires liquid paint
electronics
(computer, phone,
printers, TV, radio)
batteries wooden pallets
also: hazardous materials, remodeling and construction material
Visit Wake County Recycling & Waste Disposal at wakegov.com to see a
listing of drop-o locations for items that cannot be collected by the Town of
Wake Forest.
Schedule a Bulk Waste Pickup
Bulk waste is collected from the curb on Tuesdays by appointment only.
Most bulk waste items wind up in area landlls. Before scheduling a pickup, consider
one of the environmentally-friendly alternatives on page 8.
Place your request before 2 p.m. Monday for a Tuesday pickup.
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Order Online: wakeforestnc.gov, search “bulk pickup”
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Questions? 919-435-9570
Place items behind the curb (not in the street) and do not block the sidewalk.
8 | wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard”
WASTE COLLECTION ALTERNATIVES
Help keep items out of the landll. Before putting
something in the trash or requesting a bulk waste
pickup, consider one of these environmentally-
friendly alternatives:
Habitat for Humanity
Most Habitat ReStores oer pickup of furniture
donations, as well as other large items includ-
ing appliances, building materials and more. You
must have two or more items for pickup.
www.wakerestore.org
Vietnam Veterans of America Donation
Pickup Service
Make a veterans clothing donation, household
items donations, and furniture donations to
Vietnam Veterans of America by scheduling a free
VVA donation pick-up through Donation Town.
Donation Town will give you all the information
you need to schedule a Vietnam veterans dona-
tion pick up in our community. Visit the donation
pick up scheduling webpage to schedule your
donation pickup.
www.donationtown.org
Goodwill
When you donate your stu to Goodwill®, you
create opportunities for individuals in our commu-
nity looking to nd a job and build skills, including
veterans and military families, single mothers and
many others. Your impact doesn’t end there —
the planet also benets when you choose to ditch
the dumpster and drop your items at Goodwill.
Over the past few years alone, you’ve helped
keep billions of pounds of clothing and household
items out of landlls.
www.goodwill.org
Social Media
Your trash may be someone else’s treasure. Con-
sider posting your bulky item for free on Nextdoor
or Facebook.
Electronic Recycling
A Raleigh-based business called Anything With
a Plug provides curbside removal of unwanted
electronics. They accept anything with a plug:
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Computers
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Kitchen appliances
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Printers & copiers
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Stereos
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All types of cords and cables
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CRT monitors & TV sets (except projection-
style TVs)
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Game consoles
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Batteries
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Cell phones
www.anythingwithaplugrecycling.com
919-610-3465
☠ Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous materials cannot be
disposed in the landll because of their caustic
properties and potential for environmental
contamination.
Wake County residents can drop o these
materials for proper disposal at North Wake
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 9037
Deponie Drive, Raleigh.
www.wakegov.com
Wake County Recycling & Waste Disposal
Visit Wake County Recycling & Waste Disposal at
wakegov.com/recycling to see a listing of drop-o
locations for other items that cannot be collected
by the Town of Wake Forest.
♻
Weekly limits on yard waste
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
10
b a g g e d ya r d w a s t e
10 bags max (45-gallon)
50
lbs
max
per bag
50
lbs
max
per can
75
lbs
max total
of branches
per week
YARD WASTE
ya r d w a s t e i n c o n t a i n e r s
10 cans max (35-gallon)
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9
5
10
l o o s e y a r d w a s t e
4 cubic yards max
equivalent to one pickup truckload
Weight limits
or
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Yard waste service is provided for
single family residences only.
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No yard waste is collected from vacant
lots, unoccupied properties or com-
mercial properties.
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Townhomes: If your townhome com-
munity provides yard maintenance, you
do not qualify for yard waste pickup.
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Landscape Contractors: Any yard
waste pruned or cut by a contractor
shall be the responsibility of the con-
tractor to remove from the property.
YARD WASTE COLLECTION GUIDELINES
wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 9
10 | wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard”
YARD WASTE
What’s Accepted What’s Not Accepted
leaves twigs
pine cones grass clippings
garden refuse pine straw
branches
1" –4" diameter
cut to 6’ max
large branches
4"–10" diameter
cut to 2’ max
DEFINITION: Yard waste is vegetative
matter resulting from landscaping
maintenance by homeowners only.
animal waste rocks plants in pots
gravel bags plastic trays
fences &
building
materials
tree stumps logs over
10" diameter
trash &
recyclables
dirt
How to Prepare Yard Waste for Collection
Bag it or put it in a trash can marked “YW” (yard waste).
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Bags: 45-gallon, clear
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Trash Cans: 35-gallon, marked “YW”
Larger items can be placed in a pile behind the curb.
Allow 4 feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes and trees.
Subdivisions with alleys: Put yard waste in front of your home on
the main street for service.
YW
4 ft min
wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard” | 11
LOOSE LEAF COLLECTION
FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER THROUGH THE SECOND FRIDAY IN MARCH
What’s Accepted What’s Not Accepted
leaves
Leaves only, please. Any other
items will cause mechanical
failures in the vacuum trucks.
sticks* rocks pine cones*
garden
trimmings*
trash tree limbs*
*Please separate these items from your loose leaf piles and put them in yard
bags or cans for regular yard waste collection.
LEAF COLLECTION GUIDELINES
How to Prepare Loose Leaves for Collection
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Place leaves behind the curb, not in the street or
gutter, where they obstruct trac and drainage.
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Leaf piles should be placed at least 8 feet away
from cars, mailboxes, trees and shrubs.
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Leaf piles must be free of sticks, rocks, pine
cones, limbs and debris.
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Loose leaf collection runs
from the rst Monday in
October through the second
Friday in March.
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Throughout the rest of the
year leaves must be bagged
or placed in a trash container
marked YW (yard waste).
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Leaf Collection Hotline:
919-435-9582
During loose leaf collection
season, call the Leaf Col-
lection Hotline to track daily
progress of leaf collection
crews. The hotline is updated
each weekday morning with
information concerning where
crews will be working that
day.
8 ft min
Free
Leaf Mulch
Leaf mulch is available from
October through March.
Each delivery is approximately
20 cubic yards.
To request a free mulch
delivery, call 919-435-9575.
keep leaves out of gutter
12 | wakeforestnc.gov, search “waste wizard”
234 Friendship Chapel Rd., Wake Forest, NC 27587
PUBLIC WORKS
Trash &
Recycling
IS COLLECTED ON:
Yard
Waste
IS COLLECTED ON:
