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Holly Springs Chatter

Wake County resident are dumping an ‘unprecedented’ amount of trash

Wake County residents are bringing an “unprecedented” amount of trash and recycling to the county’s facilities amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials say.

In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, more residents are staying at home, per an order by the county. Last week they brought 500 tons, or 1 million pounds, more recyclables, trash, and metals to the county’s 11 facilities than they do on average, Wake County said in a release Wednesday. Between February and March, residents dumped 29% more trash, a total of 739 tons, the release says.

At recycling centers, cardboard recycling increased 45% to 88 tons, mixed recycling increased 20% to 253 tons, appliance recycling increased by half, to 155 tons and scrap metal recycling increased by 34% to 497 tons, according to the county.

“As we look at these numbers on Earth Day, we’re happy to say recycling is growing faster than trash,” John Roberson, solid waste director, said in the release. “People are staying at home, getting a head start on spring cleaning, and they’re bringing unprecedented amounts of material to our convenience centers.”

Full News & Observer story here.