RALEIGH —The sudden snow this week and winter weather last week caused garbage collection delays in Raleigh.
On Wednesday, crews were working quickly and picking up trash in the city before the next snow storm in the forecast.
While winter weather can deep freeze roads and cause delays, some snow on the streets did not stop City of Raleigh crews from catching up on trash collection.
"I mean the poor trash guys with the snow and the ice, I mean you really can't drive on ice and they have a lot of houses to go to get their job done,” said Raleigh resident Joanne Hillyard.
While icy weather canceled garbage pickup last week, Hillyard said she is thankful trash crews trekked through her neighborhood on Wednesday.
"They even took my trash can up my long driveway so that was very helpful,” she said.
Several City of Raleigh departments pitched in Wednesday to help collection crews catch up.
Crews from the City’s Public Works, Public Utilities and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources departments assisted Solid Waste Services in collecting the overflow garbage.
"We have Parks and Recreation, Public Works over here helping us. What those crews are doing, they are going on the routes and collecting the extra garbage, or the trash that's on the ground. They are concentrating their efforts on that and the automated trucks are dumping the cans,” said Solid Waste Services director Frederick Battles.
While it may be an inconvenience for some neighbors that their recycling has not been picked up, Hillyard said she does not mind and understands that crews are working very hard to get trash cleaned up before the next snow storm.
"Well I think they do a great job and you always feel bad for people when the weather impacts what they have to do, everyday,” she said.
City of Raleigh says yard waste collection is postponed until March 3.
Because of the unique weather circumstances, Raleigh residents should expect unusual collection patterns until crews can return to a normal schedule. Residents should leave trash and recycling at the curb until it is collected and the city will not be issuing fines for doing so.