Roanoke eliminating free C&D pickup

Free curbside service will soon be a thing of the past for Roanoke citizens looking to get rid of bulk waste items and materials.

Citing rising costs of fuel, labor and equipment, beginning March 1 of this year the City of Roanoke will no longer collect construction and demolition (C&D) materials from curbside locations free of charge.

The Roanoke City Council released a letter – signed by the mayor and all the council members except Tammi Holley – providing details and a fee scale for how C&D materials will be collected going forward.

The city has established what it is calling a convenience center at the old National Guard Armory on LaFayette Highway where Roanoke residents can “take items such as furniture, appliances, metal and wood items…for disposal,” according to the letter.

“There will be a $10 fee per truck load, and a $15 fee for each trailer load” brought to the convenience center.

The city will continue to pick up trees, limbs and shrubs from curbs at no cost, but pickup of other items not brought to the convenience center will need to be scheduled with the city, and the designated fees will need to be paid before the pickup is made.

“We understand these changes may bring some challenges, and we are diligently working towards a smooth transition,” the letter reads. “More information will be provided as it is available. All citizens are expected to comply with the new policy. Anyone leaving construction materials on the curbs is subject to fines after March 1, 2023. We are diligently working to move the City of Roanoke forward, and we appreciate your continued support of these efforts.”