Waste Not/Use Less

The Fayetteville City Council passed a Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan in February 2017. In that plan, an important goal was named: ensure 40% of all waste doesn’t end up in the landfill by 2027, whether that’s done by recycling, reusing or composting. As a city, we're currently doing a great job at gradually reducing the amount that we throw away. In 2018, 18.5% of the community's solid waste was diverted from landfills through reusing, recycling, or composting!

But what if you could use LESS altogether?


Reduce

Reduce the amount of trash you make. 

  • Choose reusable items over disposable ones. 
  • Look for products that use less packaging. Products made with less packaging use less raw material, reducing waste and costs. 
  • Borrow, rent or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools or furniture. 

Reuse

Reuse what you can’t avoid— for example, reuse a yogurt container for food storage. 

  • Buy used. Everything from clothes to kitchen items to building materials are often less expensive and just as good as new. 
  • Maintain and repair products like clothing, tires and appliances so that they won’t have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently. 

The City's Recycling and Trash Division will be adding information to this site to help you find more ways to reduce the amount of waste you throw away. Together, we can make a difference!

Recycle

Can I recycle this?

  • Yes:
    • Cardboard
    • Mixed paper
    • Plastic (Bottles #1 and #2 only)
    • Cans
    • Glass
  • No:
    • Plastic bags
    • Food waste
    • Styrofoam
    • Paper cartons
    • Foil pans
    • Plastic containers

Compost

In the City of Fayetteville, approximately 29.5% of the waste that we create is organic matter (Kessler Consulting). This includes food waste, yard waste, and biodegradable paper. While organics represent nearly a 1/3 of total waste created in Fayetteville, they also represent a great opportunity for waste diversion since organic matter can be turned into valuable products including compost and mulch.

Visit our Composting and Mulch page to learn more!

Holiday Waste Reduction Tips

  • Save money and create less waste by using rechargeable batteries for your new gifts.  Please dispose of batteries properly at a recycling drop-off locations or the Household Hazardous Waste Trailer each Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • Be creative with “no wrap” options. Hide that large, unwieldy gift somewhere in the house or yard. Give the recipient a card with a series of clues leading to the present.
  • Wrap gifts in materials that can be reused, such as baskets, tins, scarves and handkerchiefs. Gift bags are an attractive, reusable alternative to wrapping paper.
  • Newspaper comics, magazines, old posters, maps and blueprints make unique gift wrap – and they’re recyclable!
  • If you purchase gift wrap, look for paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
  • Unwrap gifts carefully. Dedicate a collection area for gift wrap free from tape or other contaminants, trim and boxes to be reused next year.
  • Instead of styrofoam packing peanuts and bubble wrap, cushion gifts with recyclable newspaper or plastic grocery bags, unbuttered popcorn or corn-based packing peanuts that disintegrate in water.
  • Avoid single use disposables! Serve your holiday guests with reusable plates, cups and utensils. Less waste goes to landfills, and real dishes add a special touch to holiday get-togethers. BPI certified, compostable single-use products can be composted at our city drop-off locations.
  • Save and reuse packing peanuts that you receive for future mailings you may have.
  • Avoid the holiday mail bottleneck by sending an electronic greeting card via email.  There is a wide selection of colorful and/or animated cards to fit all occasions. Cut up and use last year’s holiday cards as this year’s gift tags.
  • Gifts such as donations to organizations on behalf of someone are especially meaningful.
  • Collect and recycle your plastic bags at local retailers that offer bag recycling at their store entrance.