Solid Waste Services Beat the Heat Operations – RaleighNC.gov

Impact of High Heat Index on Solid Waste Services Collection

The City’s Solid Waste Services collection schedule may experience delays due to elevated heat index levels. In response, customers are requested to keep their garbage, recycling, and yard waste carts at the curb until collection is completed. During this period, the City will suspend the issuance of warnings or fines related to cart placement.

Ensuring Timely Collection: Cart Placement Guidelines

To support collection crews in managing operations efficiently under high temperature conditions, residents are advised to have their carts placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on their designated collection day. It is recommended to set out carts the night before to facilitate early morning collection and reduce heat exposure risks for workers.

Stay Informed Through Digital Tools

Residents can stay updated on service changes specific to their address by utilizing the following digital resources:

• Raleigh Reuse Web Tool
• Raleigh Reuse App on Google Play
• Raleigh Reuse App on Apple App Store

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The City’s approach to managing solid waste collection during extreme heat aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Protecting the health of waste collection workers by adjusting schedules to avoid peak heat hours.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Ensuring reliable waste management services that contribute to clean and sustainable urban environments.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting proper waste segregation and timely collection to enhance recycling and reduce landfill use.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – Adapting municipal services to the challenges posed by climate change, such as increased heat events.

By encouraging residents to participate actively through timely cart placement and utilizing digital tools for updates, the City fosters community engagement in sustainable waste management practices, advancing progress toward these global goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses solid waste collection services in an urban setting, which is directly related to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Emphasis on proper waste management, recycling, and reuse aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article mentions delays due to high heat index, which relates to climate change impacts and the need for adaptive measures in service delivery.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicator for SDG 11.6
   • Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities – implied by the focus on solid waste collection and the request to have carts ready for collection.
2. Indicator for SDG 12.5
   • National recycling rate, tons of material recycled – implied through emphasis on recycling and reuse services promoted via the Raleigh Reuse Web Tool and App.
3. Indicator for SDG 13.1
   • Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population – indirectly related as the article mentions adaptation to high heat conditions affecting service delivery.
   • Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies – implied by the City’s adaptive measures in waste collection during high heat index periods.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: raleighnc.gov