The City of Fayetteville is working to maintain environmental quality through its efforts to improve waste handling and increase recycling programs. The City’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division is charged with handling and disposing of solid waste in a legal and efficient manner while striving to institute recycling programs wherever possible. For example, the residential trash program in early 2003 went to an automated Pay–As-You-Throw Collection Program and replaced the use of garbage bags with garbage carts. The Pay-As-You-Throw program places an emphasis on reducing waste and increasing recycling efforts. Residents are rewarded for throwing out less trash through lower monthly fees, provided they use a smaller cart.

Commercial waste reduction and disposal efforts in heavily congested areas such as Dickson Street have incorporated garbage compactors that are able to hold more trash and help to beautify the area. These compactors are able to reduce the number of dumpsters needed for service. Businesses in these areas appreciate the reduction in the dumpsters while the compactors completely enclose the trash, which reduces odors and improves visual aesthetics.

Residential recycling programs have proven very effective, improving Fayetteville’s environmental quality by reducing the need for landfill space and preserving resources. Commercial recycling includes cardboard and paper recovery programs. The City also offers a yard waste compost program, which transforms yard waste into valuable compost and mulch products for landscaping. Through its recycling and composting programs, the City diverts 22% of the waste stream in Fayetteville.

The City has also implemented a "Curb the Clutter" program to help eliminate clutter on city streets. This program uses volunteer groups that adopt streets and keep them clean. Currently, 56 participating groups work to clean approximately 35 miles of roads in Fayetteville. The City administration is also getting tough on litter by enlisting the Police Department to sponsor a postcard campaign to catch violators in the act. Less trash on city streets and effective solid waste and recycling programs enhance environmental quality and also raise public awareness about being responsible environmental stewards.