Charlotteans illegally dump about 10 tons of trash every single day — much of it large, bulky items — and the city has to divert garbage crews from normal routes to collect it.
Now the city is looking for help. Officials say residents play an important role in curbing the problem and keeping streets clean even if they’re not the culprits behind the dumps.
“You see a couch on the end of the street? That’s wrong. That shouldn’t be there. We just advise residents to call it in as quickly as they can,” said Eric DeLaPena, Deputy Director for Charlotte Solid Waste Services. “Because unfortunately, once that couch is out, then it sort of attracts attention, then other people start dumping, and then before you know it, it’s a much larger problem.”…