FAQ: Commercial Solid Waste Collection
The franchise agreement for commercial solid waste collection will expire July 31, 2022, without renewal. This affects multi-family housing communities, businesses, churches and nonprofits that receive collection from GFL Environmental through the franchise agreement negotiated by the town.
No action is needed for those satisfied with GFL Environmental's service. Those who wish to change service will need to make arrangements for solid waste disposal and will be responsible for ensuring the provider meets the town's service standards.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the change. Click on a question to view the answer.
Staff recommended ending the agreement for several reasons, including:
- The change allows businesses the flexibility to contract with the provider they prefer.
- The change allows smaller businesses to contract with a provider that collects solid waste from rollout carts instead of dumpsters.
- Staff had noticed some businesses have not been following the franchise agreement.
The town previously pursued franchise agreements at the request of the business community to leverage bettering pricing and services.
For information on the new standards, see the documents section below. The town board is expected to adopt new standards for solid waste and environmental regulations into the Hillsborough Code of Ordinances at its June 13 meeting.
Town staff have noticed some businesses have not been following the franchise agreement. That was a small factor in the decision to end the agreement. You may continue to use the service you have if it meets the town’s standards. See the standards to be adopted in the documents section below.
Share this notice with your landlord to make sure service is not disrupted on July 31.
You are welcome to continue removing solid waste from your business on your own.
Contract with the collection service of your choice. Make sure it provides service consistent with the town’s standards. See the standards to be adopted in the documents section below.
Contract with the collection service of your choice. Make sure it provides service consistent with the town’s standards. See the standards to be adopted in the documents section below.
Some downtown businesses share dumpster locations in the downtown. The town has no wish to interfere in this cooperative agreement. Service in the cooperative agreement may continue or change as the parties prefer, as long as the provided service is consistent with the town’s standards.
Businesses that do not participate in this cooperative agreement must make solid waste removal arrangements consistent with the town’s standards.
See the standards to be adopted in the documents section below.
Some businesses may be able to opt for rollout cart service if their provider offers such service. Make sure you qualify by checking the town standards. In addition, you will need to apply for an exemption from contracted dumpster service. The application and the standards that are to be adopted are in the documents section below.
For additional information, contact the Public Works Division by phone at 919-296-9600 or by email.
Application: Dumpster Exemption
Chapter 11: Solid Waste and Environmental Regulations (New standards to be adopted June 13, 2022)
