One of the biggest sources of litter in Mecklenburg County is unsecured or uncovered loads on trucks. Beginning in July, Mecklenburg County began assessing a surcharge on commercial vehicles entering the County-owned Foxhole landfill with uncovered loads. The surcharge is an additional 50-percent of the normal tipping fee, which varies according to the tonnage.

The Foxhole landfill accepts only construction and demolition waste. The tipping fee is $35 per ton, with a minimum of $35. The fee for clean wood waste is $16 per ton. There is no charge for concrete, brick and block. Items that blow off of uncovered trucks litter highways and create dangerous driving conditions.

In North Carolina, half of all litter is blown, not thrown. For more information about Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful and litter prevention in Mecklenburg County, visit www.wipeoutwaste.com .