Public Landfill Tours

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Wake County has long understood the importance and impact of waste management related education. As the population of Wake County exceeds one million people, waste streams inevitably grow larger. With continuously evolving waste management practices, the need for frequent community outreach is vital to ensure long-term participation and success. Wake County Solid Waste Management Division aims to raise awareness of waste-related issues by providing free public tours of the South Wake Landfill. The tours are an important part of Wake County’s waste reduction and education efforts and provide residents with the opportunity to see first-hand the amount of waste they help make and realize when they roll their carts to the curb, their trash doesn't just disappear. To date, 464 Wake County residents have attended the public landfill tours. Each attendee leaves the tour with a new understanding of what happens to their waste and how Wake County is safeguarding the environment and public health by effectively managing the disposal of municipal solid waste. Attendees also learn the important role they have in helping to reduce waste with more than 89% of surveyed attendees indicating they would take actions to reduce their waste after attending a tour of the landfill.