Wake County

Solid Waste Management Division

 Spring-Summer  2018
Next Meeting
South Wake Landfill Citizens Committee

The next  South Wake Landfill Citizens Committee  meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the  Holly Springs Cultural Center , located at 300 West Ballentine St, 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 would like to attend the next meeting, please contact us. C ommittee meetings are for members, they are not public meetings.
Traffic Statistics
Number of Garbage Trucks

Month Trucks/
Day		 Trucks/
Month
March 2018
139
3,749
February 2018
139
3,326
January 2018 142
3,539
December 2017
141
3,526
November 2017
146
3,651
October 2017
149
3,876

The above table shows the number of garbage trucks tipping waste at the South Wake Landfill over a six month period, from October 2017 thru March 2018. 

The landfill is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. To request more information about truck statistics email us .
Landfill Tours
Filling up Fast

Residents boarding the landfill tour bus.
The free public tours of the South Wake Landfill continue into the summer. The next two tour dates are fully booked. The next tour date with availability is Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 9:30 AM. Check out www.wakegov.com/landfilltours to register. 
The tours last one hour, and participants must be Wake County residents, aged eight years and over.
Upcoming Event
Spring Clean-up
Community volunteers after last year's spring clean-up event
Wake County's anti-litter program "86it" is looking for volunteers to help pick-up litter in some of Wake County's most affected neighborhoods. The Spring Clean-up event will take place on Saturday, April 14 in Southeast Raleigh at 9 AM. Volunteers will receive community service hours as well an 86it t-shirt. Litter kits and refreshments will also be provided. If you are interested in learning more about the event or how  to sign-up for the Spring Clean-up event visit:  www.86it.com  
Bye-bye Birdies
Gulls Head Back North
Gulls
Gulls hanging out at the landfill.
The milder winters, and nearby nesting ground at Jordan Lake attract a colony of gulls from the Great Lakes to NC each fall, add to that a convenient food source and the South Wake Landfill becomes a haven for the gulls each November thru March. 
As the weather has started to warm back up, the gulls are now leaving in large numbers to fly back to their northern homes.
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 
Website:  www.wakegov.com/recycling 
Stay Connected
Like 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 .
Tree Planting Program  
Spring Planting on Schedule 
The Tree Planting Program application process which extended its deadline to March 9 from  February 18 is now complete. Trees will be delivered on Friday, April 13 at the Forest Springs Community Center area. 

Residents requested close to 50 trees.  Western arborvitae "Green Giants" will be distributed to eligible applicants in April. Southern Magnolias will be distributed to eligible applicants in the Fall, as there is an area-wide shortage at this time.

Another application period is scheduled in late summer for the fall planting season.  To request more information about the tree planting program, including eligibility, please  email  us.

Up to five trees are available for residents in single family homes in the Forest Springs neighborhood, whose backyards face the South Wake Landfill.
Odor Control Update
Statistics & Summary

Data compiled from odor complaint forms related to the South Wake Landfill area for the previous six months are listed below.  
2017/2018
Avg complaints per day
Highest # complaints in one day
Date highest # complaints received
# days "0" complaints received
Mar 2018 0.94 6 23rd 18
Feb 2018 0.54 4 20th 18
Jan 2018 0.58 3 19th & 25th 20
Dec 2017 0.6 5 11th 19
Nov 2017 1.9 16 27th 10
Oct 2017 3.0 17 10th & 20th 12

Several projects in process or slated to begin soon that are designed to reduce landfill odors include:
  • The working face of the active landfill cell is moving north, reducing the proximity to recently buried waste for our closest neighbors to the south.
  • Ten additional landfill gas wells were installed in February, and they are all now connected to the collection system and operating.
  • The vapor based odor system is currently being upgraded. Improvements include a larger blower motor, protection from electrical interruptions, addition of a weather station and remote operation capabilities to maximize use 24/7. To install upgrades, the unit will be taken offline for the first 2-3 weeks of April. Thank you for your patience during the important and helpful upgrade.
  • Mulch is being used to cover the slopes of the landfill cells prior to partial closure to assist with odor control.
  • The partial closure project (20 of 74 acres) will be mostly complete by the end of April.
  • Further expansion of the landfill gas system is expected to be constructed during June & July
John Roberson will continue to issue updates via email to interested persons on the progress of odor management efforts. If you would like to be added to this mailing list, contact:  Stephanie Garehan . 

Wake County values your feedback. If you notice objectionable odors near the South Wake Landfill, please let us know by submitting an online odor complaint form at the time you notice the odor.
Phase One Partial Closure 
Closure Project Update
Area outlined in red indicates Phase One closure area.

After a slow start, the partial closure project is now moving very quickly -- so much so that this project is expected be complete by May 2018.

Ultimately, this project will allow for a more efficient capture of landfill gas on this site, thus helping with odor reduction and general aesthetics. 

Soil cover and grass seed now cover the LDPE liner.

To request m ore information about the closure project  email us.
Redesign and Improvement 
Project Update
Convenience Center to open April/May

Redesign and Improvement Project in August 2017

Redesign and Improvement Project in January 2018

Redesign and Improvement Project in early April 2018

The construction of a new convenience center ("CC") and a new household hazardous waste ("HHW") facility along with expansion of the existing multi-material recycling facility ("MMRF") are well underway.  
 
Unfortunately, this construction project is behind schedule due to extensive rock excavation.  The contractor is working to get the project back on schedule, and Wake County hopes to open the new CC in late April/early May 2018.  The new HHW and MMRF will open later in the spring/early summer.  

To stay up-to-date on all changes to South Wake Solid Waste Management Facilities, follow us on Facebook.

To watch a short video of the new site plans click here .