Written by Hayley Belton, Communications Specialist
If you’ve visited one of Mecklenburg County’s full-service recycling centers, you know we take electronics, household hazardous waste, yard waste and more. Now add foam, books and shredded paper to your in-person recycling drop-off list!
Continue ReadingRecycling Right sounds easy. But once you start looking into the details, you might realize you’ve been recycling wrong. Don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for! Our Solid Waste department gets questions all the time. Here are some of the greatest hits.
Continue ReadingWhen you think about sustainability and going green at work, your first thought might be, “Aha! It is time to build a brand new energy-efficient building.” To that, I say, slow down. That might be the right move for some companies but maybe your company can’t do anything that big and expensive. That doesn’t mean you’re locked out of taking action. Smaller steps are important, too!
And according to N.C. State’s sustainability program, “Sustainability isn’t just about the health and well-being of the planet; it’s about the health and well-being of people. From the air we breathe to the food and water we consume, the environment impacts human health.” So let’s tackle this idea of sustainability from a few angles to give you some new ideas.
Continue ReadingIf you’ve ever wondered where your Christmas tree goes when it leaves the curb, watch and learn!
Always recycle right. Crews won’t pick up artificial trees. They can’t be recycled and will end up in the landfill. Crews also won’t pick up live trees with lights or ornaments. For more information about composting and recycling, visit wipeoutwaste.com.
City or County? That’s a question we get a lot when it comes to the services that we provide to our residents. We can’t say we’re surprised – considering that the City of Charlotte is a part of Mecklenburg County, it can be easy to get us mixed up. Throw six more towns into the equation and it can get even more confusing!
A good way to tell the difference is by knowing the types of services each agency provides. But, there are a few instances where it’s going to seem like some of our services overlap. For example, all three of us (City, County, and the Towns) play a role in solid waste. However, even though we share a similar name, the functions of each solid waste department are very different.
Continue ReadingWritten by Kristen Haas, Environmental Educator at Park and Recreation
Don’t worry, I was doing it wrong, too. Until I went on a tour of the Mecklenburg County recycling center that processes curbside recycling bins (the MRF, which we insiders pronounce “Murph”), that is. I learned so much and left feeling empowered to make easy changes that would save money by recycling the right way.
During the tour, I kept thinking about this quote:
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
Maya Angelou
So, today I want to share my biggest take-away messages and encourage you all to “do better” too.
Continue ReadingWhether you realize it or not, there are many things you probably know about Mecklenburg County government. For starters, you are probably aware that the County is governed by the nine-member Board of County Commissioners. You may also know that Mecklenburg’s day-to-day operations are managed by County Manager Dena R. Diorio. Chances are you are also familiar with a few County services such as Public Health, Department of Social Services or Park and Recreation.
That doesn’t come close to being everything about us, though. There’s so much more that we do and within all of our departments there are so many programs and initiatives that it can be hard to list them all out. But, we do have a few “best kept secrets” that we think you should know!
Continue ReadingNew to Mecklenburg County? Welcome! We’re glad to have you and hope you enjoy being here as much as we do. And for those of you who aren’t new but are instead a lifelong resident, we’re certainly glad you stuck around!
Home to more than one million residents from seven cities and towns, we cover a lot of ground – literally. That also goes for the services we provide. Chances are there’s been a time when you’ve used one of our services and didn’t even know it! And that’s what brings us here today.
Whether you’re a new resident or have been here for years, here are five things we bet you didn’t know the County does (but you should).
Continue ReadingA fresh New Year calls for new goals and new habits. Each January, we get 365 more chances to better ourselves and many of us walk into the New Year with great intentions and a set of lofty resolutions. Let us help you get closer to achieving your goals with some simple resolutions you can keep by using the resources right here at your fingertips in Mecklenburg County.
I guess I should begin this blog post with a “true confession.”
While I’ve never seen the movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” I truly believe that I probably have a lot in common with the main character in the film. I love to shop. Shopping provides an instant boost of serotonin to my brain, taking me to a very euphoric place. It’s my version of chocolate, minus the calories. Some would say I love it a little too much, with many family members and friends having vowed to never enter a mall with me again in this lifetime. I think that is a little dramatic on their part, but to each their own.
And while I am not sure if my passion for bargain hunting fits the clinical diagnosis of being a true “shopaholic,” it is probably safe to say that I could find another way to spend my time and money.
So, the holiday season has truly become my favorite time of the year, but for totally selfish reasons. While I love the beautiful seasonal decor, festive parties, and a convivial atmosphere that only the holidays can bring; this is also the time of year when I can do what I love, for whom I love, under the disguise of giving. And with every purchase I bring home and with each package that awaits at my doorstep, another gift is checked off my holiday list – and a secret passion has been fulfilled.
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