What you need to know about upcoming city projects - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

What you need to know about upcoming city projects

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By: Lindsay Curtin - bio | email

WILMINGTON ,NC (WECT) - As the holidays are officially over, the city of Wilmington wants to remind residents of ways they can get rid of their holiday trash. They also have some downtown projects happening soon that can affect commutes.

Recycling of wrapping paper and Christmas Trees
A lot of holiday debris such as cardboard and most wrapping paper can be recycled. Excess recycling that won't fit in the recycling container can always be put at the curb in a box, bin or paper bag and it will be picked up at no charge. Please break down and flatten cardboard boxes. Foil wrapping paper is NOT recyclable, but all other wrapping paper may be recycled. 

Christmas Trees
Remember, If you are a city trash customer, the city will recycle your Christmas tree. Simply make sure all decorations and lights have been removed from the tree and put it curbside with any other vegetative debris on your normal service day.

Do not place the tree near any storm drains, and be sure it does not block access to any sidewalks.

Stormwater Improvements downtown

Work will begin on January 2 on two important stormwater improvement projects downtown. The timing of both projects is intentionally occurring during the least busy time of year for downtown merchants. The city has reached out to affected merchants in a number of ways to keep them informed. The projects are:

·         Replacement of drainage system at the intersection of Front and Walnut Streets

This project will protect Front Street from cave-ins that can occur during heavy rains in this area. It will run through mid-April and will initially involve the closure of Walnut Street between Front and Water Streets, followed by the closure of the intersection at Front and Walnut. A detour will be in effect but local businesses will remain accessible.

 ·         Replacement of drainage system at the intersection of Water and Ann Streets

The project will protect Water Street from cave-ins that can occur during heavy rains in this area. It will run through mid-March with the intersection of Water and Ann streets being closed a majority of this time and Ann Street between Water and Front Streets being closed a portion of the time. A detour will be in effect but local businesses will remain accessible.

Recycling- every-other week pickup to begin Jan 7.
The number of city residents who choose to recycle and how much they recycle has increased significantly since the city began its conversion to large blue recycling carts. In December, the city completed delivery of more than 17,000 carts and are now delivering carts to new customers who recently signed up to recycle, as well as finishing up corrections on a few cart deliveries.
The number of recycling customers has increased by 16% since the city began converting to large blue recycling carts last spring. In addition, the amount of materials customers are recycling has increased by more than 36 tons since the new carts started being delivered last month.
The city now has 19,000 recycling customers with an overall participation rate of 63% and that number continues to increase, according to Solid Waste officials. Customers are encouraged to use their blue carts as soon as they are delivered. Beginning Jan. 7, 2013, recycling will be picked up every other week on the same day as trash collection, which will continue to be picked up weekly. The city will save $220,000 in annual manpower costs with the new schedule, and expects the amount of recycled materials to increase by up to 20 percent.

As the cart delivery winds down, the city asks customers who have their trash/recycling picked up by the city to call the Solid Waste Division at 341-7875 if:
  • You currently recycle and didn't get a cart, or got the wrong cart size; if you previously called in, you are on the list for a delivery and there is no need to call again.
  • You want to start recycling and need a blue cart – the city has a waiting list for new recycling customers and will try to deliver carts by Christmas;
  • You don't want to keep your old red recycling bin – the city will pick it up upon request.

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