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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I recycle magazines and telephone books in the curbside recycling program at my home?
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Yes. The materials may be included in with your mixed paper. Mixed paper can include newspaper, copy paper, envelopes, other junk mail (please remove all plastic associated with junk mail), magazines and telephone books. If you have large amounts of paper, we ask that you bring the materials to either recycling drop off site located at 1420 South Happy Hollow Road and/or 735 West North Street.
- Can I use plastic grocery / retail bags to bundle or sack newspaper, paperboard and junk mail?
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No. Plastic grocery bags are not accepted in our recycling program. These bags are currently only recyclable at the stores where they originated. Please recycle your bags at these stores, which have recycling boxes at their entrances. To keep newspaper, paperboard and mixed paper separate, we suggest that you use two recycling bins, one for containers and one for paper, newspaper and paperboard. If you only want to use one bin, we ask that you stack your newspaper, junk mail and paperboard neatly in your bin to allow for quick sorting by our drivers. You may bag newspaper, mixed paper and paperboard in paper grocery bags if you have them available.
- Can I recycle large amounts of cardboard and paper?
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Yes, although the curbside collection program cannot collect piles of cardboard in excess of 3 feet by 3 feet or numerous bags of shredded paper. If you have large volumes of these please bring them down to either recycling drop off located at 1420 South Happy Hollow Road by the Recycling and Trash Collection office or at the Marion Orton Recycling Center located at 735 West North Street.
- Are all plastics recyclable in our community?
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No, at this time we can only accept bottles labeled with a #1 and #2 recycling triangle. To find out the number of a plastic bottle or container look near the bottom of the bottle or container to see its plastic resin code. #1 and #2 bottles and jugs make up approximately 96% of all bottles in the market place and are usually targeted in recycling programs. The reason all plastics can't be mixed together for recycling is because of the way plastics are made. There are two main processes for forming plastic containers - blow molding and injection molding. In a blow molding process, the plastic is blown into a particular shape, like a bottle, whereas in the injection mold the plastic resin is injected into a mold that forms a particular shape, like a butter tub. The resins from a soda bottle and salad container might be the same but the different processes used to create them use different chemicals that change the melt index of the container, which means they do not melt at the same temperature. Therefore we are only able to accept #1 and #2 plastic bottles at this time. Just remember to "check the neck" - the definition of a bottle is the neck is smaller than the base of the bottle.
- Can I use another bin or do I have to use the City of Fayetteville recycling bins?
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No. Because the recycling trucks that collect your curbside recycling are specially designed for the size of the city recycling bins, we ask that you please use our bins. These bins are made out of 50% post consumer recycled plastic! Additional bins can be purchased from the Recycling and Trash Collection Division for a small fee. Residents receive two bins for free when participating in the recycling program. Also, please remember to use the black lid that is supplied with the bin. The lids keep materials dry on rainy days and help contain litter by keeping items in the bin.
- What if one recycling bin is not enough?
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Residents receive two bins for free when participating in the recycling program. Using two bins is ideal: one for glass, plastic, and metal containers, and one for paper and paperboard. Additional bins are available by calling our Recycling and Trash Collection Office at 479-575-8398. Additional bins cost $13.63 plus tax, and can be picked up at the Recycling and Trash Collection Office located at 1560 South Happy Hollow Road.
- I can't remember, what items are recycled in Fayetteville?
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We recycle newspaper, mixed paper (junk mail, magazines, phone books, copy paper, etc.), paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.), cardboard, plastic bottles coded #1 and #2, aluminum cans, steel cans, and brown, green and clear glass containers. We do not accept all other plastics not coded as a #1 and #2 bottle or jug, windows, light bulbs, ceramics, Pyrex or similar items. Protect our recycling truck drivers - please make sure all materials are clean and free from trash contamination.
- Can I recycle my Christmas tree?
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Yes. The Recycling and Trash Collection Division recycles Christmas trees each year through the composting program. Collection crews will pick up your real Christmas tree if it is placed out properly for collection. Only real trees will be collected, no artificial trees are picked up in this program. Please remove all lights, stands, decorations, tinsel and other items placed on the tree. Place the tree at your curb on your normal trash day. Crews will pick up the trees starting after Christmas until the end of January. After that time residents can bring their trees to the compost facility during normal operating hours.
- Where can I take household hazardous waste like jet cartridges and batteries, electronic waste, and tires?
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Residents can take their hazardous waste such as cleaners, batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs (containing mercury), oil based paints (no latex paint accepted), sharps, automotive and cooking oil and aerosol cans to the Household Hazardous Waste trailer which is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of S. Happy Hollow and 15th St. in Fayetteville. Note: we do NOT accept electronics or latex paints at the Fayetteville trailer.
- What do you mean by Fayetteville having a Pay As You Throw Trash Program?
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Fayetteville’s Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Residential Trash Program means just that, the more trash you throw out on a weekly basis the more money it will cost you. Each residence has a choice of 3 sizes for their trash cart; 32, 64, and 96 gallon sizes are available. Each size has a different rate assigned to it. View current rates.
It is important to know that each residence should get the size cart that is designed to handle the weekly volumes of trash from that household. The 32 gallon is for 1 bag of trash or less, the 64 is for up to 2 bags of trash, and the 96 gallon is for up to 3 bags of trash. Overfilling carts is not recommended and will billed for each extra bag visible above the rim of the cart. Please make sure the cart lid is closed completely to avoid extra bag charges. The PAYT program is highly recommended by the EPA as a means to reduce waste and provide a fairer system for those who reduce and recycle. Anybody can reduce the waste they produce by fully using the recycling program and avoiding wasteful practices. You can make a difference!
- What do I do if I've got more trash than can fit into my cart on collection day?
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Each single-family residence and duplexes receive four (4) virtual stickers each year for extra trash occasions. These virtual stickers are allotted to your water account and are not physical stickers as in years past. Trash bags set at the curb outside of the carts will be collected and an extra bag charge will be added if the four virtual stickers are already accounted for through the water bill.
- Can I place loose trash in my cart?
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No. It is highly suggested to bag all trash before placing into your cart. Loose trash has the potential to blow out of the cart while dumping and can cause litter problems. Bagging trash will also reduce the odor of your cart helping it to remain clean.
- Does it matter how the cart is set out for collection?
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Yes. Please place the cart at your curb with the handle away from the street and at least 6 feet from any obstruction such as a mailbox or utility pole. Never park in front of the cart. Do not set your cart out in front of your neighbors house. Always have your cart out by 5 a.m. to ensure collection. It is best to place the cart out the night before to ensure pick up. We cannot guarantee a certain time of collection each week. Always remove your cart from the curb after collection and place back at your home. Do not leave your cart at the curb all week.
- What are the procedures for setting and retrieving my cart?
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All carts, recycling bins and yard waste should be placed out on designated collection days by 5 a.m. It is best to have the carts and bins set out the night before to ensure collection. By city ordinance, do not place carts out earlier than 12 hours before collection day and always remove your cart no later than 12 hours after collection has occurred. Do not leave your cart at the curb all week.
- How do I participate in the Yard Waste Program?
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Yard waste collection occurs weekly on the same day that your trash and recycling are collected. Leaves, grass and small amounts of brush are collected with this service. Leaves and grass should be either placed in 30 gallon paper bags available at most retail outlets in Fayetteville or placed in a old trash can clearly marked yard waste and placed curbside. Black plastic bags will not be collected with this program. Remember to leave plenty of room for the automated cart collection. If using an old trash can do not line your can with a plastic bag. Only yard waste is accepted, no food items allowed.
- What if I have too much yard waste to fit into paper bags or cans?
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When you have large amounts of brush and/or limbs, you need to arrange for a bulky waste pick-up. For information on bulky waste requirements please see Bulky Waste under the Solid Waste FAQ. To arrange for a bulky waste pickup, please call the Recycling and Trash Collection office at 479-575-8398. Small amounts of limbs and brush can be placed curbside for weekly collection. Small piles of brush / limbs need to be placed curbside and approximately 6 feet away from your trash cart. The small piles cannot exceed 3 feet in length or 5 inches in diameter. Piles should be bundled with string for easy collection. Fayetteville residents can always bring yard waste to the Compost Facility located at 1708 South Armstrong on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon during the months of November through March and the first 2 Saturdays of each month during the months of April to October.
- Can we use plastic trash bags for leaves and grass?
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No. City ordinance states that yard waste can only be collected in paper bags or reusable cans. Plastic bags have been removed from the yard waste program as they are a contaminate in the composting program. We ask that anyone using the yard waste program use 30 gallon compostable paper yard waste bags or a trash can marked with the words "yard waste". Thirty gallon paper yard waste bags can be purchased at retail outlets in Fayetteville. Tree limbs and brush still have to be bundled separate from the leaves and grass.
- During Halloween I have pumpkins and hay to dispose of, how do I get rid of them?
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Pumpkins can be put in the green food waste carts at the Marion Orton Recycling Center and the Happy Hollow Recycling Center.
- During the fall and summer months, I will have more than my usual amount of yard waste. Will they still pick it up?
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Yes. The yard waste truck will come by on you regular trash day and take the material that you have out providing it complies with collection rules. Remember, no black plastic bags will be collected as all leaves and grass should be placed in 30 gallon paper bags available at local stores or placed in an old trash can clearly marked yard waste. All material must be placed to the curbside no later than 5 a.m. on you service day. It is best to have the items placed curbside the night before to ensure collection. Large amounts may require a bulk pick up. Call the Recycling and Trash Collection office at 479-575-8398 for more information.