Providing quality service at the lowest possible cost is at the core of Solid Waste Services' business philosophy.  This philosophy is based on operating as a business under a model closely aligned with private-sector practices, but in a public-sector environment and encompassing public-sector values. 

Every year Solid Waste Services participates in the North Carolina project – a collaborative effort between 17 North Carolina cities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Institute of Government and the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association.  The project presents performance and cost data for participating cities.  Participating cities include:

• Asheville
• Burlington 
• Carrboro
• Cary
• Charlotte
• Concord
• Durham
• Gastonia
• Greensboro
• Hickory
• High Point
• Matthews
• Raleigh
• Salisbury
• Wilmington
• Wilson
• Winston-Salem

Charlotte consistently outperforms the other municipalities in cost and efficiency for garbage, recyclables, and yard waste collection.  Key findings from the 2008 report include: