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Council moves summer trash pickup from Saturday to Friday to cut costs and congestion
Summary
To reduce congestion and overtime, the Town of Ocean Isle Beach approved switching one weekly summer residential collection day from Saturday to Friday; staff and contractor GFL said the change should reduce bridge/traffic backups and save the town an estimated $19,000 this year.
Town staff proposed and the council approved a change to the sanitation collection schedule for the summer season: instead of the existing Saturday pickup pattern, residential collections would occur on Friday during the summer changeover to reduce traffic congestion and improve contractor staffing.
Justin (town public‑works staff) explained that GFL, the town’s contractor, arrives early on Saturdays, empties carts, and must leave the island to dump. Trucks returning to the island can create bridge and traffic snarls; GFL and staff said Friday collection would reduce that pressure and improve reliability. Staff estimated an approximate savings of $19,000 this year (about $3,200 per month) and said cumulative savings over the current contract could exceed $38,000.
Council members asked about the timing of Friday pickups and whether crews could start later to allow cleaning companies and arriving renters to place carts at usual times; staff said they would conduct public education to encourage carts to be out the night before and to coordinate pickup times with the contractor. The change does not alter extra beach‑access pickup points; staff will monitor and can adjust the beach‑access schedule if needed.
After discussion, a motion to adopt the revised summer sanitation schedule passed. Staff will implement the change for the coming season and return with monitoring data if adjustments are needed.
