Public Works

Solid Waste

The City of Morganton provides back yard residential garbage collection and curbside yard waste services and convenience center recycling for $10.00 per residence per month. The City will provide additional services for bulk waste, appliances and other items on a user fee basis. The base fee is $25.00 per collection.

Only 6% of North Carolina Municipalities provide back yard collection. Approximately 68% of Municipalities charge user fees for residential garbage collection, average monthly fee $ 9.99/month.

Fees

As residents of Burke County, Citizens of Morganton residents pay disposal fees on their Burke County taxes.

Burke County does not charge the City of Morganton to dispose residential solid waste. However, Burke County does charge for the City of Morganton to dispose of bulk items in the County landfill.

The County also bans the disposal of white goods (appliances) and cardboard. Burke County accepts white goods for recycling. These fees and bans are to encourage recycling and discourage disposal. This is one of the reasons the City of Morganton charges a $25.00 fee for collection of these items.

Building Debris

No building materials, dirt, concrete, bricks or blocks, or refuse from building, remodeling, and repair operations or landscape work will be handled by City forces. All waste material of this nature shall be removed by the contractor, or in the event of his failure, by the owner of the property; provided, that the owner may make application to the sanitation superintendent and the superintendent may, if practical, remove the rubbish at the expense of the owner.

Construction and demolition debris is not residential waste and an additional disposal fee must be paid at the Burke County Landfill.

Leaves

Leaf collection starts in October and continues as needed through January. The City Public Works Dept. currently collects leaves every two weeks during leaf season - October through January. After January, loose leaves will be collected for a $25.00 fee.

Residents should pile leaves as close to the road as possible without blocking the road or sidewalks.

The City will not provide leaf bags. Loose-leaf collection is much more efficient. Also, using loose-leaf collection saves money and eliminates unnecessary plastic bag waste.