The City launched a new roadside litter collection service on March 27, 2023. The roadside litter collection program addresses litter in the Right of Way and ‘hotspots’ – meaning, areas where a larger pile of litter or illegal dumping has been left. This program was established due to the need in our community to improve cleanliness throughout neighborhoods and communities in City limits, particularly outside of the Central Business District. The program was funded by ARPA funds that total $300,000.
Last month, the City of Asheville Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department did an assessment of program’s progress. Here’s what 2nd quarter data revealed.
| Quarter 2 | July – Sept 2023 |
| Litter Contract | |
| Total Roadside Miles | 777.07 (Includes 4.81 DOT miles) |
| Total Hot Spot Person Hours | 190 |
| Total Pounds Collected | 7,900 |
| Total Funding Spent | $52,324.20 |
| Biological Waste Contract(s) | |
| # Sites Completed | 2 |
| Total Pounds Collected | 54,140 |
| Total Funding Spent | $21,508.06 |
| ARPA pounds 2nd Quarter | 62,040 |
| ARPA funding spent 2nd Quarter | $73,832.26 |
| TOTAL POUNDS TO DATE | 72,080 |
| TOTAL ARPA FUNDS SPENT TO DATE | $135,359.15 |
| TOTAL ARPA FUNDS REMAINING | $364,640.85 |
| PERCENT SPENT | 27.07% |
For information on additional cleanliness efforts, visit the litter programs page.
Ways to help keep our community clean:
Ways to prevent litter
- Bag residential trash before placing it in the trash cart.
- Loose, lightweight trash can blow out during service if not bagged. (Do not bag recycling.)
- Do not overfill trash or recycling carts. Overflowing carts lead to litter.
- Contact Sanitation if you need additional carts, 828-259-5857.
- Keep the backs of vehicles free of loose debris and tarp all loads before hauling.
- Be BearWise. Use BearWise tips to reduce animal/trash interactions and/or sign up to get a bear-resistant cart from the City at this link.
Ways to participate
- Asheville GreenWorks supports public clean ups as well as DIY cleanups, providing residents with supplies for roadside and neighborhood cleanups. More information regarding these events can be found at this link.
The Spring Sweep will be held through April 15-29, 2023. Spring Sweep is hosted by the City of Asheville, AVL GreenWorks, and NCDOT. More information and registration can be found at this link.
Where to report litter?
Community members are able to report roadside litter concerns through multiple platforms:
- On the Asheville App: “Report Roadside Litter Concern”
- Email sanitation@ashevillenc.gov
- Call Customer Service: 828251-1122
Reports of litter along roadways not served by the City of Asheville will be passed through established communications systems to NCDOT for response or service.
If you have a cleanliness question, you can always contact our Sanitation Department via email: Sanitation@ashevillenc.gov