Helene Response and Recovery

Do not put limbs, yard debris, construction debris, carpet, concrete, or other bulky or hazardous items in your trash cart.  These materials will be collected separately by a contractor.

City of Asheville Sanitation curbside collection customers can go to ashevillenc.gov/AVLcollects or download the free app AVL Collects to get alerts about trash and debris collection schedules and work happening in your area.

RESIDENTIAL AND RIGHT-OF-WAY DEBRIS COLLECTION IN CITY OF ASHEVILLE

• City of Asheville right-of-way debris collection has begun in areas with critical infrastructure.
• The community can begin to place sorted debris to the curb in the right-of-way.
• Debris should be SEPARATED at the curb by category:
  • Construction & demolition & bulky items: Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing.
  • Appliances: Refrigerator, washer/dryer, air conditioner, stove, water heater, dishwasher. Do not leave the doors unsealed or unsecured. Place refrigerators with door facing ground to prevent door opening.
  • Electronics: TV, computer, stereo, phone, DVD players
  • Vegetative Debris: Tree branches, leaves, logs, plants, stumps, trees.
  • Household Hazardous Waste: Oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies. Ensure all material is contained/closed and will not spill.
  • Mud/dirt: See Mud & Sediment Removal Guidance below

Debris should be SEPARATED at the curb according to the images HERE. 

Click for larger images.

 

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DEBRIS GUIDELINES

• Storm debris does not need to be bagged and can be placed in a pile.
• Do not block the roadway with debris and ensure access for large trucks and emergency vehicles.
• Do not place or lean debris near or on trees, poles, water meters, or other structures. This includes fire hydrants, utility boxes, and curbside trash carts.
• Contractors cannot collect directly from private property. However, if your pile starts at the curb in the right-of-way and stretches into your yard in a continuous manner, their equipment can reach about 18’, as long as there are no overhead lines or obstructions.
• Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper protective equipment: long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.
• THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE PASSES AND COLLECTIONS – you do not have to have it all out at once.
• Ensure staff can still access your trash/recycling carts.

LARGE COMMERCIAL & PRIVATE PROPERTY DEBRIS

The City is working with state and federal agencies to establish a clear plan for removing debris from residential private property (beyond the right-of-way) and commercial private property.  If clean up of private property is approved, this will assist residents with removal of large items from their property or businesses with extensive structural damage. Updates on this coming soon. All commercial properties are asked to either move debris to the right-of-way where possible, or if too extensive, leave in place until the City receives a determination about the ability to address debris directly on private property.  

Please do not utilize private box cars and/or dumpsters in the right-of-way as they impede emergency service access and infrastructure repair.

Additionally, the future resiliency of our community is partly dependent on our ability to property sort, process, and dispose of debris. The landfill is already at critical capacity. Please allow City and County contractors to collect and dispose of storm debris as they will be able to sort debris; reduce the size of debris via chipping, incineration, or shredding; and ship to a private landfill. This will protect our valuable landfill resource for the future.

MUD AND SEDIMENT REMOVAL:  More information coming soon regarding the removal of mud and sediment

 

Job Opportunity

DebrisTech, a contracted company with the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, is hiring Hurricane Debris Collection Monitors to assist in monitoring the debris clean up process. These positions will be filled immediately. No prior experience needed and the ability to earn up to $1,000 per week. More information regarding these positions can be found here. 

FAQ:

1. When and where is the debris contractor operating? 7 days/week during daylight hours. Information on where the contractor is operating will be available in the near future.  
2. I can’t get large items to the curb. What do I do? The City is currently working with state and federal government agencies to address debris on private property. If collection of debris from private property is approved, property owners will be asked to sign a Right of Entry form with the contractor to allow them to collect on private property. Stay tuned for more information.
3. Can I bring my debris to dump sites? No, only contractors are allowed to bring debris to dump sites. This is in order to meet FEMA requirements for funding for these operations.
4. Are you grinding stumps? Contractor can collect stumps. We do not have information at this time regarding stump grinding on private property.
5. What size should the logs be? Vegetative debris does not need to be cut to any specific size for collection. The contractor can remove large trees, logs, and branches from the right-of-way.
6. Who should I contact if I have a question or concerns about debris removal or debris processing? You may contact the One Buncombe call center at 828-250-6100.