Asheville Launches Initiative to Clear Storm Debris and Ensure Community Safety

Asheville Takes Action to Clear Storm Debris

Asheville residents, it’s time to roll up your sleeves! Following the recent storms that left our beloved city with mountains of debris, local officials have stepped up to ensure that our streets are cleaned in a safe and efficient manner.

How to Properly Dispose of Your Storm Debris

SDR Contractors has been brought on board to assist with the removal of storm debris from areas that have been heavily impacted. If you live in one of these service areas, officials would like to remind you to place your items at the curb and in the right of way. It’s important to note that the contractor isn’t allowed to pick up trash from private property, which is why a special workaround has been set up.

For those tackling smaller piles, SDR can extend 18 feet into your yard to collect debris as long as it’s a continuous pile and there are no obstructions. Just a little heads up—make sure that the debris isn’t too far into the roadway to avoid blocking traffic and doesn’t touch items that might get damaged by SDR’s equipment.

Sorting Your Waste

To keep the process efficient, residents are asked to categorize their debris into several groups:

• Construction materials
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Vegetative material
• Household hazardous material

SDR will be conducting multiple sweeps of the neighborhoods it services, so don’t worry if you have to wait a bit for the collection. If your neighborhood isn’t included in these sweeps, fear not! The city is establishing temporary collection sites for waste management. This effort aims to quickly eliminate any health and safety hazards posed by the leftover debris.

Community Participation Encouraged

Understanding that people often have mixed feelings about dumping grounds, the city is being proactive in managing how the community feels about these temporary sites. They’ve even posted help-wanted ads for hurricane debris collection monitors, offering up to $1,000 weekly—and no prior experience is necessary!

The city is also reaching out to property owners who might be willing to volunteer their land for a short period. This shared responsibility means that disruptions can be limited to just a few weeks. If you have 4 to 6 acres and are interested in helping out, consider reaching out via email to show your support.

Temporary Collection Sites on the Way

Initially, the city has proposed several locations for the temporary collection sites: Enka Commerce Park, 65 Ford Street, and the front nine of the Municipal Golf Course. However, before these sites can officially open, they will need fencing and access routes for heavy machinery.

City Council Discusses Important Concerns

During the October 22 Asheville City Council meeting, Councilwoman Kim Roney brought up several points of interest. She raised questions about whether the city would be financially compensated for using public lands for these collection sites, and noted that her constituents had been eager for more information regarding contracts and operations.

Mayor Esther Manheimer clarified that individual property owners cannot arbitrarily turn their land into dumping grounds without proper permits from the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Roney highlighted issues reported to her, such as cranes improperly piling debris in backyards. Residents are encouraged to report such violations to the city’s Solid Waste Manager, Jes Foster.

Environmental Safety Assured

Safety and environmental regulations remain a top priority. During discussions at the council meeting, Roney inquired about the potential for incineration at collection sites, but received confirmation that this was not part of the city’s plans. For now, the city will ensure that only green waste will be ground up and that everything will be compliant with environmental standards.

As Asheville works to clear storm debris and return to normalcy, your cooperation is key. By properly disposing of waste and staying informed, we can all help make our community cleaner and safer!