Wake County

Solid Waste Management Division

Summer 2017
Next Meeting
South Wake Landfill Citizens Committee

The next South Wake Landfill Citizens Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Holly Springs Cultural Center , located at 300 West Ballentine Street, in Holly Springs.

The South Wake Landfill Citizen Committee was established in 2006 prior to the opening of the landfill with the purpose of:
  • Providing a forum for neighbors of the landfill to have a voice in its continuing development
  • Providing a conduit for information between Solid Waste staff and the neighboring community regarding activities at the landfill
If you are interested in becoming a member of the South Wake Landfill Citizens Committee or plan to attend the next meeting, please notify us ahead of time, so we can be sure there is enough seating .
Recycling Refresher
The contamination issue

Plastic bags contaminating recycling

Plastic bags and bagged recyclables are the #1 contaminant in recycling. Plastic bags tangle sorting equipment causing it to jam and break. The Material Recovery Facilities have to shut down to remove the bags by climbing into the sorting machines and untangling plastic bags that have wrapped around moving parts. The contamination problem in the Triangle cost over $1,000,000 last year and is damaging to the economic viability of recycling programs everywhere.

Site attendants visiting Recycle America

Wake County Solid Waste recently took site attendants from all eleven Wake County Convenience Centers to visit Recycle America's Material Recovery Facility in Raleigh where mixed recyclables are sorted. The visit was part of a training exercise to show staff how big a problem contamination is and how important it is to recycle right. Since the visit, contamination rates at Convenience Centers have dropped by almost half. 

You can do your part too, to help lower contamination rates in your town by recycling right.  Refresh your knowledge of the items accepted in your town's recycling program, make sure your recyclables are e mptied of their contents, f ree of food and liquids,  and  remember to keep those plastic bags out!  Plastic bags can be returned to grocery stores for proper recycling.

Please DO recycle:
  • Newspapers & inserts
  • Junk mail
  • Notebook paper
  • Printer paper
  • Paper bags
  • Telephone books
  • Milk & juice cartons
  • Cereal boxes & paperboard
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Plastic bottles, jugs & tubs 
  • Metal cans
  • Aluminum foil
  • Glass bottles & jars
Please DO NOT recycle:
  • Loose plastic bags
  • Recyclables in plastic bags
  • Greasy pizza boxes
  • Needles & sharps
  • Styrofoam
  • Wire, hose, cords, rope
  • Waxed cardboard & paperboard
  • Hazardous waste
    • Motor oil
    • Antifreeze
    • Pesticides
    • Propane tanks
Questions about your recycling service? Contact the Town of Holly Springs Department of Public Works at 919-552-5920.
Traffic Statistics
Number of Garbage Trucks

Month Trucks/
Day
Trucks/
Month

June 2017
145
3,776
May 2017
143
3,852
April 2017 135
3,371
March 2017
136
3,371
February 2017
132
3,171
January 2017
141
3,520











The above table shows the number of garbage trucks tipping waste at the South Wake Landfill over a six month period, from January 2017 thru June 2017. The landfill is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For more infomration about truck statistics email us.
Stay Connected
Join us on Facebook
Wake County Solid Waste Management Division is on Facebook sharing information on waste reduction, reuse, recycling and waste disposal services in Wake County. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and events connect with us on  Facebook .

Have Questions?

We strive to keep residents well informed on activities taking place at the landfill and welcome all feedback. If you would like more information, have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact us.
Telephone : 919.856.6424
Address: Wake County, Solid Waste Management Division, P.O. Box 550, Raleigh, NC 27602
Director: John W. Roberson,  PE 
Odor Control Update
South Wake Landfill
Data compiled from odor complaint forms related to the South Wake Landfill area for January 2017 through June 2017 are listed below.  
Month
Avg complaints per day
Highest # complaints in a day
Date highest # complaints received
# days zero complaints received
Jun '17
3.9
65 27th 16
May '17
.5
4 8th & 29th 16
Apr '17
.7
8 5th 20
Mar '17
0.8
9 17th 22
Feb '17
0.6
3 6th & 22nd 19
Jan '17
0.9
6 19th 21

The landfill's biggest odor challenge this quarter occurred on June 27th, when we received 65 complaints from residents within a two mile radius of the facility.   John Roberson issued a statement to residents and explained that wind speed and direction had the greatest influence in the surge of noticeable odors in nearby neighborhoods.  Adjustments on-site on June 28th, including an emergency landfill gas well field tuning, helped bring the situation under control.

Dry vapor water-less odor control technology

Work to install a  new type of vapor odor control system purchased by  Wake County and  Waste Industries has been progressing well, with estimated start of the system on or around August 8, 2017. The system will consist of an eight inch diameter pipe, 3,500 feets long, that will span the southern perimeter of the landfill. The pipe will disperse a lighter-than-air engineered vapor into the air stream which will  eliminate fugitive odors upon  contact.   

Solid Waste Director John Roberson, representatives from Waste Industries (SWLF operations contractor) as well as a representative from the company who designed and is installing the Byers Odor Management System will be making a presentation to the Holly Springs Town Council Meeting set for the evening of August 1, 2017.  They will discuss odor control and efforts to manage it.

Wake County values your feedback. If you notice objectionable odors in your neighborhood or other areas around the South Wake Landfill, please let us know by  submitting an online odor complaint form .
South Wake Solid Waste Management Facilities
Redesign & Improvement Project Update
Trees have been cleared for the new Household Hazardous Waste Facility

On May 1, Harrod and Associates Contractors received a 'Notice to Proceed' with construction for the redesign of the South Wake Solid Waste Management Facilities.  The improvement project will include the following:
  • A new seven bay Convenience Center
  • A new Household Hazardous Waste Facility
  • Expansion of the Multi-Material Recycling Facility
  • Improvements to traffic circulation  
  • A new field office and education building
The project is scheduled for completion in July, 2018. To watch a three minute video of the new site plans click here.

 
New traffic pattern for household hazardous waste drop-off

All facilities will remain open to customers throughout construction. However, as progress gets underway expect changes to traffic patterns and follow new signage.  The Household Hazardous Waste Facility has moved to a temporary location, follow the new signs and new traffic pattern to the temporary location, by following signs for 'Hazardous Waste'.  To stay up-to-date on all changes to South Wake Solid Waste Management Facilities follow us on Facebook.

Temporary household hazardous waste location
Tree Planting Proposal 
Program Update 
Wake County Solid Waste Management Division continues to develop a tree planting program for neighbors of the South Wake Landfill who can see the landfill from their property. It is intended that these trees would help beautify neighborhoods and, in time, divert the view of the landfill from homes.

Since the March newsletter, the Forest Springs HOA board has given their approval to proceed with the program. The proposed program is outlined in a tree planting program manual. The manual developed by Wake County and obs Landscape Architects will be available to residents in late August.    
 
The tree planting program kickoff & application process  is on schedule for late summer. The application form outlines eligibility criteria set forth by the HOA Board, the Town of Holly Springs and Wake County. The distribution of trees to eligible recipients is expected in time for the fall planting season subject to budget constraints. For more information about the tree planting program email us.
Partial Closure of the South Wake Landfill
Phase One Closure Project Update
Aerial map of South Wake Landfill showing Phase One partial closure area
Phase One of the South Wake Landfill has reached a point of capacity where it can be partially closed.  On May 1,  Shamrock Environmental Corporation of Browns Summit, NC received 'notice to proceed' with construction for the partial closure of Phase One, an area spanning 22 acres. The project is scheduled for completion by April 2018. 

Temporary solar flares installed, m ulch and vegetation removed 

Working in five acre sections at a time,  the project involves: 
  • Disconnecting landfill gas header line and well heads 
  • Installing interim solar flares to control emissions 
  • Removing mulch and vegetation
  • Achieving 12" of soil cover 
  • Installing a linear low-density polyethylene liner 
  • Installing a geocomposite drainage net
  • Adding a minimum 24" of topsoil 
  • Spreading hydraulic mulch and grass seed. 
For more information about the closure project  email us.