October 2023 - Kannapolis Matters

Help us Recycle Right! Over the last few months, we have seen more and more recycling carts with contaminated materials. This means we are not recycling properly and the carts are contaminated with trash and items that cannot be recycled. Entire truckloads are being rejected by our recycling vendors and then must go to the landfill as trash.

Calendar of Events

OCTOBER 2023

Every time this happens, the City is penalized. These photos show contamination (trash) improperly placed in recycling carts. Please do not place items that cannot be recycled in the recycling cart. Please remember the following: • The yellow lid cart is for recycling only. • Do not bag your recycling. We cannot recycle plastic bags. Only bag your trash. • Not sure if something is recyclable? Check the CARTology app or visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/garbage. • Construction materials are not recyclable. • Grass clippings and yard debris are not recyclable. • Food items are not recyclable. • When in doubt – throw it out. If an item has a recycling label on it – double check CARTology. Our recycling centers

in N.C. do not accept items that may be recyclable in other areas/states. • Clothing, furniture and carpet is not recyclable. • Styrofoam containers/cups are not recyclable. Recycling carts that continue to have trash will be tagged and not picked up. Please recycle right and help us be an environmentally-friendly community.

Kannapolis “Name the Truck” Contest Winners Revealed

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he City of Kannapolis is pleased to announce the winners of our “Name the Truck” contest. The contest was held over the summer when elementary-aged children in Kannapolis were asked to submit creative names for the City’s six street sweeper and leaf vacuum vehicles. The selected names reflect the work that is done daily by each of the trucks in the Transportation and Environmental Services Department. Designs were created to bring the names to life and have been printed, along with the winning child’s name, on each truck. “This was a fun way we could bring attention to the work our staff members do each day to ensure streets and stormwater drains are clear of debris and leaves. We hope that the

Watch Out for Meters/Meter Boxes

23-24 Thanksgiving Holiday (City Offices closed)

Always be aware of where your water meter is located. Never tamper with, park on, or drive over a water meter or its box, and use caution when operating any machinery nearby.

24-26 Holiday Market 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Laureate Center

Do not cover the meter or box with gravel or other materials. A damaged meter can cause many severe issues, including leaks or damage to waterlines, slip and fall hazards, or inaccurate measurements leading to an increase in your water bill.

THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4444 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/cityofkannapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov) and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

Free Admission. No pets or smoking, please. Concessions and food trucks available at concerts and movies. More at kannapolisnc.gov.

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The street sweepers are on the streets now and the leaf vacuum trucks will be seen around the City in October once loose-leaf collection begins. The children that had their submissions chosen participated in a photo op with their newly designed truck and received a gift certificate. The Street Sweeper Naming Winners: Sweepasaurus, submitted by Henry and Emily Baros, ages eight and six, homeschooled BroomBroom!, submitted by Abel Moreno, age seven, G.W. Carver Elementary School. The Leaf Vacuum Trucks Naming Winners: Monster Leaf Eater, submitted by Kendra Lopez Cruz, age six, G.W. Carver Elementary School trucks will make you smile and think about how important it is to not litter and to help us keep our streets clean,” commented

Michael Rattler, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services.

Christmas Parade Announced! The Kannapolis Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, in downtown Kannapolis. Thousands of lights decorate each parade entry, which makes it one of the holiday’s most special nighttime events in North Carolina. This is a great Christmas holiday tradition for you and your family to enjoy. If you would like to participate in the parade or sponsor an award category, please visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/christmasparade or contact Becky Tolle at btolle@ kannapolisnc.gov. Cash awards will be presented in the categories of bands, churches, civic organizations and schools.

The Leaf Cyclone, submitted by Miletus Gaddy, age eight, homeschooled The Klean Machine, submitted by Caleb Partee, age nine, G.W. Carver Elementary School Leaf-o-napolis, submitted by Kedrick Knox, age 10, Forest Park Elementary School.

Holiday Market Make plans to visit the Kannapolis Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 24, 25 and 26 at the Laureate Center, 401 Laureate Way. More than 60 local vendors and artists will have plenty of holiday goodies to choose from. For more information on Christmas events in Kannapolis, visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/Christmas.

Loose Leaf Collection Begins October 30 City of Kannapolis loose-leaf collection will begin October 30 and end March 18. After March 18, we request that you bag any loose leaves you have and place them at the curb for yard waste collection. During the Loose-Leaf Season, there will not be loose-leaf collection on the following holidays observed by the City: • Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) • Thanksgiving (Nov. 23 and 24) • Christmas (Dec. 22, 25 and 26) • New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) • Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 15).

The City of Kannapolis would like to remind you to not park on the street the day your garbage/recycling/ yard debris is collected. When cars park on the street, it is difficult for garbage trucks, street sweepers and leaf vacuum vehicles to complete their routes. If garbage/ recycling trucks cannot get to your carts, they will be left until your next collection day. Similarly, if leaf vacuums or street sweeps cannot get down roadways, leaves and debris will be left until the next collection day. Please remember to be mindful of where you park.

Loose-Leaf Collection Do’s & Don’ts: • Leaves must be placed at the curb or along the ditch line – not in ditches – in rows parallel with the street. • Place leaves at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of collection. • Leaves mixed with limbs, other yard waste, gum balls, gravel, glass or other solid matter will not be collected. • Leaves in garbage containers will not be collected. • Leaves must be clear of water meters and fences and placed on the street side of retaining walls.

• Leaves must be clear of sidewalks/street. • Keep the area around the leaves clear of vehicles and other items so the loose leaf vacuum trucks can easily access the leaves. If access to the leaves is blocked, the leaves will not be collected. To find your loose-leaf collection schedule, visit kannapolisnc.gov/looseleaf, or download the free CARTology app in Apple and Google Play stores.